India's First River Dolphin Count Reveals 6,324 Dolphins

India has conducted its first-ever survey of river dolphins, revealing a total of 6,324 dolphins across the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers. This information was published in a government report on Monday. The Ganga river dolphin, known for its unique characteristics, is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries, which span India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Some Indus river dolphins are also found in the Indus river in India.

First Comprehensive Survey Under 'Project Dolphin'

As part of the 'Project Dolphin', a comprehensive survey was conducted across eight states – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, and Punjab – to estimate the number of river dolphins. According to the 'Status of River Dolphins in India' report, this survey is one of the largest freshwater surveys in the world, including the entire range of Ganga river dolphins in the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, and Indus river dolphins in the Vyas river.

Survey Results: 6,324 Dolphins Counted

The survey estimated the presence of 6,324 Ganga river dolphins (with a range of 5,977-6,688) and three Indus river dolphins. The findings indicate that dolphins are found in areas with sufficient water depth and minimal human disturbance.