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Species in News: Gangetic Dolphins
Context:
The first comprehensive estimate of the Gangetic dolphins, the only riverine dolphins found in India, reveals a population of 6,327 individuals across the river Ganga and its tributaries.
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- Conducted under Project Dolphin (launched in 2020), the survey provides crucial insights into the status of these species in India.
- The survey also found three Indus river dolphins in the Beas River.
- The survey covered 28 rivers across 8 states, spanning 8,507 km.
About Ganges River Dolphin
- India is home to two species of freshwater dolphins:
- Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
- Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)
- IUCN Status: Endangered (Listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides them with the highest level of legal protection.)
- Once found across the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, the species is now extinct in many of its former habitats.
- These dolphins serve as bio-indicators, meaning their presence signals a healthy river ecosystem.
- Unique Characteristics:
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- It is a freshwater species and cannot survive in saltwater.
- The dolphin is essentially blind and relies on ultrasonic sound waves for hunting. These sounds bounce off prey, creating a mental image to help them navigate and find food.
- They are often found alone or in small groups, with mothers and calves typically traveling together.
Survey Methodology and Challenges
- Unlike land animals like tigers and elephants, dolphin counting is more complex due to their underwater nature and sporadic surfacing.
- Dolphins lack distinct physical markers, making individual identification difficult.
- The survey used acoustic hydrophones (underwater microphones) to detect dolphin sounds.
- A team of observers triangulated dolphin locations to avoid double counting.
- The dolphins, being blind, rely on echo-location to navigate and communicate.
Government Response and Conservation Efforts
- The survey results were officially released by PM Narendra Modi on March 3, 2025 (World Wildlife Day).
- He emphasised the importance of local community participation in conservation.
- Educational initiatives were suggested, encouraging schoolchildren to visit dolphin habitats.
