In January 2026, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), launched the second nationwide range-wide estimation of riverine and estuarine dolphins under Project Dolphin, flagged off from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
- The programme builds on the results of India’s first nationwide dolphin population survey conducted during 2021–23.
- What? Second Nationwide Dolphin Survey Launched
- Launched by: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, MoEFCC
- Where? Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh (Phase I)
- Phase II: Brahmaputra, Ganga tributaries, Sundarbans, and Odisha.
- Implementing Agency: WII with State Forest Departments (SFD) and partners (WWF India, Aaranyak, WTI)
- Methodology: 26 researchers, 3 boats, ecological/habitat data, hydrophones for acoustic monitoring
- Previous Survey (2021–23): ~6,327 riverine dolphins; highest in UP & Bihar, then WB & Assam
About Second Rangewide Dolphin Survey:
Coordination and Partnerships: The programme is led by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with State Forest Departments and partner conservation organizations, including World Wildlife Fund(WWF) India, Aaranyak, and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
Methodology: The survey began with 26 researchers operating from three boats, collecting ecological and habitat data while employing technologies like hydrophones for underwater acoustic monitoring.
Coverage: The first phase focuses on the main stem of the Ganga from Bijnor to Ganga Sagar and the Indus River, while the second phase will extend to the Brahmaputra, Ganga tributaries, the Sundarbans, and Odisha.
Previous Survey Data (2021–23):
Total Dolphins: ~6,327 riverine dolphins recorded nationwide.
Distribution: Highest populations in (UP) and Bihar, followed by West Bengal(WB) and Assam.
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