| Topic | 2nd Rangewide Dolphin Estimation Launched from Bijnor |
|---|---|
| Key Authority | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) |
| Objective | Estimate population, distribution, habitat status, and threats to riverine/estuarine dolphins for evidence-based conservation. |
| Project | Conducted under Project Dolphin (launched in 2020). |
| Implementing Agency | Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun + State Forest Departments. |
| Coverage (Phase-I) | Ganga main stem (Bijnor to Ganga Sagar) + Indus River. |
| Coverage (Phase-II) | Brahmaputra, Ganga tributaries, Sundarbans delta, Odisha coast. |
| Species Studied | Ganges River Dolphin, Indus River Dolphin, Irrawaddy Dolphin. |
| Previous Data (2021-23) | 6,327 dolphins recorded; highest in Uttar Pradesh & Bihar. |
| Conservation Focus | Supports river ecosystem health, pollution control, and biodiversity commitments. |
