Over 4000 Gangetic Dolphins in India: Indian Wildlife Institute
According to a recent report by the Wildlife Institute of India, there are more than 4000 Gangetic dolphins in the Gangetic River basin. Over 2000 of these dolphins are found in Uttar Pradesh, primarily in the Chambal River. This increase suggests that the river’s pollution levels are declining, and the government’s conservation efforts are proving effective.
The Ganges river dolphin, also known as the blind dolphin, Ganges susu, or Hihu, has the scientific name Platanista gangetica. Historically found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems, the dolphin is now present in specific stretches of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Barak river system in India, as well as in river systems in Nepal and Bangladesh.
Gangetic dolphins are blind and live exclusively in freshwater. They hunt using sonar, emitting ultrasonic sound waves that bounce off prey. These dolphins are usually found alone or in small groups. As mammals, they must surface every 30-120 seconds to breathe, producing a distinctive ‘susu’ sound when exhaling.
The population of Gangetic dolphins has declined due to several factors:
The government of India has implemented various measures to protect Gangetic dolphins:
Established in 1982 under the Union Ministry of Forest and Climate Change, the Wildlife Institute of India trains personnel, conducts research, and advises on wildlife conservation and management. Its headquarters is in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
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