India’s First River Dolphin Population Survey: Key Findings

The first-ever comprehensive river dolphin population survey in India, conducted between 2021 and 2023, has revealed a total of 6,327 river dolphins in the country. The survey, covering the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins and the Beas river, was conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) along with state forest departments and several non-profit organizations. The findings were announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife at Gir National Park.

Key Highlights

What are Numbers Saying?

• Total Dolphin Population: 6,327 (6,324 Gangetic dolphins + 3 Indus river dolphins).
• Survey Conducted by: Wildlife Institute of India (WII), state forest departments of Punjab, UP, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and organizations like
• Aaranyak, WWF, Turtle Survival Alliance, and Wildlife Trust of India.
• Survey Duration: 2021-2023
• Total Distance Surveyed: 8,406 km (Ganga & Brahmaputra basins) + 101 km (Beas river).
• Project Dolphin: Launched by PM Modi on August 15, 2020, to enhance conservation efforts.

Dolphin Population Breakdown

• Gangetic Dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica): 6,324
• Ganga River Basin: 5,689 (range: 5,371-6,024)
• Brahmaputra River Basin: 635 (range: 5,977-6,688)
• Indus River Dolphins (Platanista gangetica minor): 3 (in Beas River, Punjab).

State-wise Dolphin Distribution

Key Findings in Ganga Basin

• Total distance surveyed: 7,109 km (Main stem & tributaries).
• Tributaries surveyed: Chambal, Yamuna, Rapti, Sharda, Ghaghara, Mahananda, Kosi, Gandak, Geruwa, Rupnarayan, Torsa, Kaljani, Churni, and Haldi.
• Highest dolphin concentration in UP: 47 km Bhind-Pachnada stretch of Chambal River.
• Kanpur-Vindhyachal stretch (380 km): Encounter rate: 1.89 dolphins/km.
• Narora-Kanpur stretch (366 km): Very few dolphins found.
• Bihar’s Chausa-Manihari stretch (590 km): 1,297 dolphins, making it one of the most densely populated dolphin zones.