A recent comprehensive survey by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has revealed that over 6,300 Gangetic dolphins inhabit the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems. This extensive study, conducted between 2021 and 2023 under Project Dolphin, marks the first comprehensive count of India's river dolphins, addressing a significant data gap.
Key Findings: The survey recorded 6,324 Gangetic dolphins across the Ganga and Brahmaputra systems (range: 5,977-6,688). Of these, 5,689 dolphins reside in the Ganga system (3,275 in the main channel and 2,414 in tributaries), while 635 are found in the Brahmaputra system.
Extensive Effort: The WII surveyed 8,507 kilometers of rivers across eight states, using both boat and bank surveys to account for seasonal changes. This covered 58 rivers, providing a detailed dolphin count where previously only rough estimates existed.
Historical Significance: The Gangetic dolphin, known locally as "susu," holds cultural importance, depicted as the vahana (vehicle) of Maa Ganga. Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and listed on the IUCN Red List since 1996, it was declared India's National Aquatic Animal in 2010.
Despite these protections, the Gangetic dolphin faces ongoing threats, including illegal trade and habitat degradation, underscoring the need for continued conservation efforts.