🐬 Conservation of the Gangetic Dolphin
A National Aquatic Treasure Fighting for Survival

📊 Population Assessment & Survey Insights

Recent joint surveys by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) reveal that the Gangetic dolphin population stands at approx. 3,936 across the Ganga River basin.

• 👀 Sighted dolphins: 2,510
• 🏞️ Key distribution:
  • 1,303 in the Ganga
  • 335 in the Ghaghara
• 🌊 A 2,850 km conservation priority stretch has been earmarked for focused habitat protection.

🐢 The survey also rescued 6,800+ freshwater turtles and crocodiles, reflecting ecosystem-wide benefits.

🛡️ Legal Protection & Framework

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• CITES: Appendix I

Legal Protection in India:

• 🧾 Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• 🏞️ Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar is a key protected site

🎯 Action Plan:

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

🇮🇳 National Significance & Government Efforts

• 🐬 Declared National Aquatic Animal in 2009
• 📅 October 5 marked as National Ganga River Dolphin Day
• 🌊 Namami Gange scheme integrates:
  • Habitat restoration
  • Pollution reduction
  • Community participation

📈 These efforts align with the government’s goal to double the dolphin population by 2030.

🧬 Species Characteristics

• 🐋 Commonly called ‘Susu’, for the sound it makes while breathing
• 🧠 Intelligent freshwater mammal that cannot breathe underwater
• 🌬️ Surfaces every 30–120 seconds to inhale air
• 👶 Females are larger and give birth every 2–3 years
• 📍 Found in Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna & Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems across India, Nepal & Bangladesh

⚠️ Major Threats

• 🎣 Accidental entanglement in fishing gear
• 🧪 Pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff
• 🛶 River traffic and canal constructions disrupting habitat
• 🧴 Poaching for dolphin oil

These cumulative threats have driven the species to the brink and necessitate urgent conservation.

🌱 Why It Matters

The Gangetic dolphin is an ecological indicator — its presence signifies a healthy river system.

✨ Protecting this majestic mammal safeguards not only its own future but that of the entire Ganga river ecosystem and the millions who depend on it.