Gangetic Dolphin Conservation Efforts

January 20, 2025

The Gangetic dolphin, an endangered species, is undergoing conservation efforts in India. Recent surveys indicate a population of approximately 3,936 dolphins in the Ganga River basin. This assessment is part of a broader initiative by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to enhance the species’ survival through targeted strategies.

Population Assessment

A survey conducted by WII and NMCG estimated 3,936 Gangetic dolphins in the Ganga River basin. During the survey, 2,510 dolphins were sighted. The Ganga holds nearly half of the population, with numbers in its tributaries.

Key Findings

The survey revealed 1,303 dolphins in the Ganga and 335 in the Ghaghara river. A conservation priority stretch of 2,850 km has been identified for habitat protection. Over 6,800 freshwater turtles and crocodiles have also been rescued.

Legal Framework

Conservation Status:

IUCN Red List: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I

Legal Protection:

Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary established in Bihar under the 1972 Act

Action Plan:

The Conservation Action Plan for Ganges River Dolphin (2010–2020) addressed threats like river traffic, irrigation canals, and prey depletion.

National Recognition:

Declared as the National Aquatic Animal in 2009 by the National Ganga River Basin Authority.
October 5 celebrated as National Ganga River Dolphin Day by the National Mission for Clean Ganga.

Government Initiatives

The Namami Gange scheme focuses on biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, and community involvement.
It resulted to the increase in the dolphin population, in line with the government’s goal to increase the double the population by 2030.

Species Characteristics

The Gangetic dolphin is a mammal that cannot breathe underwater. It surfaces every 30–120 seconds for air.
It is also known as ‘Susu’ due to the sound it makes while breathing.
It lives in freshwater and surfaces every 30-120 seconds to breathe. Females are larger and give birth every two to three years.
It is found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.

Major Threats

Key threats include accidental entanglement in fishing gear, poaching for oil, habitat destruction from development, and pollution. These factors contribute to the species’ declining numbers.

Significance of Conservation

The Gangetic dolphin serves as an indicator of river ecosystem health. Its conservation is vital not only for the species itself but also for the overall biodiversity of the Ganga River basin.

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