|
India’s Dolphin Survey Expands to Irrawaddy Dolphin in Sundarbans and Odisha
India’s ongoing dolphin survey expands coverage to include the Irrawaddy dolphin in Sundarbans and Odisha, in addition to the Gangetic and Indus River Dolphins. The previous nationwide survey (2021–23) records an estimated 6,327 riverine dolphins in India, making the expanded species coverage relevant now.
Project Dolphin and Riverine Dolphins:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Previous nationwide survey (2021–23) | Records an estimated 6,327 riverine dolphins in India |
| Ongoing survey coverage | Includes Irrawaddy dolphin in Sundarbans and Odisha; includes Gangetic and Indus River Dolphins |
| Project Dolphin | Launched on 15th August 2020 |
| Scheme | Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Development of Wildlife Habitats |
| Purpose | Provides for conservation of marine and riverine dolphins and associated cetaceans through habitat protection, scientific research, and community awareness |
| River dolphins | Comprises superfamily Platinistoidea |
| Key characteristics | Functionally blind; rely on echolocation to navigate and hunt; have a long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body, and large flippers |
| Ecological role | As an apex predator, they are key indicator species of the health of rivers |
| Ganges river dolphin (P. gangetica): occurrence | Occurs in Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Sangu-Karnaphuli river systems in India, Bangladesh and Nepal |
| Ganges river dolphin | Locally called ‘susu’; endemic; India’s National Aquatic Animal |
| Protection status | Endangered (IUCN); Schedule–I (Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972) |
| Indus river dolphin (P. minor): occurrence | Occur in Indus basin (Beas River in India) |
| Local name and designation | Locally called ‘Bhulan’; Punjab's State Aquatic Animal |
| Protection status | Endangered (IUCN); Schedule–I (Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972) |
| Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris): habitat and range | Occur in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments throughout southeast Asia |
| Irrawaddy dolphin: behaviour | Slow swimmers; have unique water spitting behavior |
| Protection status | Endangered (IUCN) |
| Dolphin conservation initiatives | Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Wildlife Sanctuary (Bihar); Chambal River Conservation Zone designated as Dolphin Conservation Zone; reconstitution of Project Dolphin Steering Committee; appointment of Dolphin and Whaling Commissioners; satellite-tagging the Ganges River Dolphin |