India has an estimated 6,327 riverine dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems, according to the country’s first census of the aquatic species, made public yesterday.
About 90 percent of the global population of riverine dolphins is found in India.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.The Ganges River dolphin, known for its unique features, is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
As part of “Project Dolphin”, a comprehensive survey was conducted to estimate the population of river dolphins across eight states — Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, and Punjab.
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of dolphins at 2,397, followed by Bihar with 2,220, West Bengal 815, Assam 635, Jharkhand 162, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh 95, and Punjab 3, according to the census report.
The survey is one of the world’s largest freshwater assessments, covering the entire range of the Ganges River dolphin in the Ganga and Brahmaputra, as well as the Indus River dolphin in the Beas River, the report titled “Population Status of River Dolphin” in India said.
Dolphins thrive in areas with adequate water depth and minimal human disturbances, according to the findings of the census report released on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.