India has kick-started its inaugural population estimation of riverine dolphins across the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems, with results expected to be released shortly, according to officials.
The Ganges river dolphin, an iconic species, inhabits the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries, extending across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Additionally, a small population of the Indus river dolphin, a close relative of the Ganges river dolphin, resides within the Indus River system in India.
"Under Project Dolphin, we have completed the estimation of riverine dolphins, the first of its kind in the world. The survey, conducted over two years, covered 8,000 kilometres of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers. The results will be released soon," an official stated.
Led by the Wildlife Institute of India, the exercise focused on both the Ganges river dolphin and the Indus river dolphin, establishing a baseline population for future assessments.
The government also plans to conduct a population estimation of marine dolphins, particularly in eco-sensitive areas. Launched in 2020, Project Dolphin aims to conserve both freshwater and marine dolphin species, with a primary focus on the Ganges river dolphin.
The presence of dolphins in these river systems indicates their health, as these mammals require clean, flowing water to thrive. Monitoring their population provides valuable insights into the overall well-being of river ecosystems.
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