Second nationwide dolphin population survey begins from UP’s Bijnor

India launched the second rangewide estimation of riverine and estuarine dolphins on 17 January 2026 from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, under Project Dolphin.

Background
The survey follows the first nationwide dolphin population assessment (2021–2023), whose findings were released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the National Board for Wildlife meeting at Gir in March 2025. The scientific protocol for the second estimation was formally launched during Wildlife Week 2025 at Dehradun.

Coordinating Agencies
The exercise is being coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, in collaboration with State Forest Departments and conservation partners such as WWF India, Aaranyak and the Wildlife Trust of India.

Expanded Coverage
For the first time, the estimation will also include the Irrawaddy Dolphin in the Sundarbans and Odisha, in addition to riverine dolphin populations.

Findings of Previous Survey
The first nationwide survey estimated around 6,327 riverine dolphins, including:

• Ganges River Dolphins in the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Gandak, Ghaghara, Kosi, Mahananda and Brahmaputra river systems
• A small population of Indus River Dolphins in the Beas river
  Uttar Pradesh and Bihar recorded the highest numbers, followed by West Bengal and Assam, highlighting the importance of the Gangetic basin.

Conservation Status and Legal Protection

• The River Dolphin is India’s National Aquatic Animal
• The Gangetic River Dolphin is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, providing the highest level of protection
• It is included among 22 critically endangered species supported under the centrally sponsored scheme Development of Wildlife Habitats

Protected Habitats
Important dolphin habitats along the Ganga have been notified as Protected Areas, including the Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.
The Sundarban delta is a unique ecosystem hosting both Gangetic and Irrawaddy Dolphins, spread across India and Bangladesh.

Project Dolphin
Launched on 15 August 2020, Project Dolphin focuses on conserving riverine and marine dolphins and other cetaceans through habitat protection, scientific research and community awareness.

Satellite-tagging
On 18 December 2024, India successfully satellite-tagged the first-ever Ganges River Dolphin in Assam, marking a major scientific breakthrough under Project Dolphin.

National Dolphin Day
The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has declared 5 October as National Dolphin Day, celebrated annually since 2022.

About the Gangetic River Dolphin
The Gangetic river dolphin has a sturdy yet flexible body, large flippers and a low triangular dorsal fin. It is functionally blind and locates prey using echolocation, emitting ultrasonic sounds to detect and capture food. Dolphins are among the oldest living animal groups, alongside turtles, crocodiles and sharks.