India's first detailed dolphin population survey has found that there are 6,324 Gangetic dolphins in the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins, along with three Indus river dolphins in the Beas river basin in Punjab.The survey, conducted between 2021 and 2023, covered 8,406 km of river stretches in the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins, including their tributaries, and a 101 km stretch of the Beas River.

According to the report, the estimated dolphin population in the Ganga is 5,689 (ranging from 5,371 to 6,024), while the Brahmaputra has around 635 dolphins. This brings the total estimated population in these rivers to 6,234, with a possible range between 5,977 and 6,688.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the report of India’s first dolphin population survey during the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife at Gir National Park on Monday. He had previously launched Project Dolphin on August 15, 2020, to protect and conserve these endangered species.

The survey was carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India in partnership with state forest departments from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan, along with non-profit organizations such as Aaranyak, World Wildlife Fund, Turtle Survival Alliance, and Wildlife Trust of India.

Out of the 6,324 Gangetic dolphins recorded, 3,275 were found in the main Ganga River, 2,414 in its tributaries, and 584 in the Brahmaputra. The survey spanned 28 rivers using boats and mapped 30 river stretches via road.
Among the states, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of dolphins (2,397), followed by Bihar (2,220), West Bengal (815), Assam (635), Jharkhand (162), and Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (95). In Punjab, only three Indus river dolphins were recorded in the Beas River.

The survey covered a total of 7,109 km across the Ganga River and its tributaries, including the Chambal, Yamuna, Rapti, Sharda, Ghaghara, Mahananda, Kosi, Gandak, Geruwa, Rupnarayan, Torsa, Kaljani, Churni, and Haldi rivers. These waterways span multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

In Uttar Pradesh, the highest concentration of dolphins was recorded in the 47-km Bhind-Pachnada stretch of the Chambal River. Meanwhile, the Kanpur-Vindhyachal stretch (380 km) had an encounter rate of 1.89 dolphins per kilometre. However, the 366-km stretch between Narora and Kanpur had an extremely low dolphin population, with sightings being nearly absent, the report stated.

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