India conducts first ever riverine dolphin population estimation exercise

New Delhi, Oct 14: India has conducted its first population estimation of riverine dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems and its findings will be released soon, officials said on Monday.

The famous Ganges river dolphin is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries spanning across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. A small population of the Indus river dolphin, a close relative of the Ganges river dolphin, is found in the Indus River system in India.

“Under Project Dolphin, we have completed the estimation of riverine dolphins, the first of its kind in the world. The survey, conducted over two years, covered 8,000 kilometres of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers. The results will be released soon,” an official said.

The exercise, led by the Wildlife Institute of India, covered two species — the Ganges river dolphin and the Indus river dolphin. It will provide a baseline population of riverine dolphins in India for future assessments.

The government is also planning to conduct a population estimation of marine dolphins with a focus on eco-sensitive areas, the official said.

India launched Project Dolphin, a conservation initiative to protect dolphins in both freshwater rivers and coastal waters, in 2020. While its primary focus is on the Ganges river dolphin, native to India’s river systems, the project also aims to safeguard dolphins in the country’s oceans.

The presence of dolphins indicates a healthy river system because they require clean, flowing water to survive. Their population helps scientists assess the overall health of a river. (PTI)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Mann ki Baat earns Rs 34.13 crore since inception: Govt

New Delhi, Aug 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's...

CBSE chief Rahul Singh gets two year extension

New Delhi, Aug 8 : Senior bureaucrat Rahul Singh...

Not possible for govt to address all issues: Arunachal Minister

Itanagar, Aug 8 : Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama...

BJP leaders in Bihar are ‘more corrupt’ than Lalu: Prashant Kishor

Patna, Aug 8 : Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant...

Wish India flourishes without language terror: Mamata

Kolkata, Aug 8 : Amid protests over alleged harassment...

Assam govt recognises Wildlife Genetics Laboratory for wildlife crime investigations

Guwahati, Aug 8 : The Assam government has recognised...

Scindia urges NE states to update logistics policies

Guwahati, Aug 8 : Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories