Second Rangewide Estimation of Riverine and Estuarine Dolphins in India starts from Bijnor

1. At a Glance

• Second pan-India population estimation of riverine & estuarine dolphins under Project Dolphin, flagged off on 17 January 2026 from Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh) by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) [1].
• Coordinated by Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun with State Forest Departments [1].
• UPSC relevance: links biodiversity conservation (GS-III), Wildlife Protection Act 1972 Schedule I species, Namami Gange, and national symbols (National Aquatic Animal).

2. Why in the News

• MoEFCC launched the 2nd rangewide estimation on 17 January 2026 from Bijnor (UP) [1].
• Follow-up to 1st round results released by PM at the 7th NBWL meeting in Gir, March 2025, which estimated ~6,327 riverine dolphins [1][2].
• The 2nd round was announced by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav at Dehradun during Wildlife Week (Oct 2025) along with the estimation protocol [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• 2009 (5 Oct): Ganges River Dolphin declared National Aquatic Animal at the 1st NGRBA meeting chaired by PM [3].
• 1972: River dolphins listed in Schedule I of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (highest protection) [3].
• 15 August 2020: Project Dolphin announced by PM from the Red Fort; covers both marine & riverine dolphins [2].
• Dec 2022 amendment to WLPA recognised Gangetic and Indus River Dolphins as distinct species under Schedule I [3].
• 2021–2024: 1st rangewide estimation conducted; results announced March 2025 at Gir NBWL — ~6,327 dolphins [1][2].
• Oct 2025: Standardized estimation protocol released at Dehradun [1].
• 17 Jan 2026: 2nd round flagged off from Bijnor [1].

4. Core Static Facts

• Implementing ministry: MoEFCC; nodal scientific body: WII, Dehradun [1].
• Programme umbrella: Project Dolphin (launched 15 Aug 2020) [2].
• Species covered: Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor), and now Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) in Sundarbans & Odisha (Chilika) — new addition in 2nd round [2].
• River systems surveyed (1st round): Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda, Brahmaputra; Beas (Indus dolphin) [2].
• First-round estimate: ~6,327 riverine dolphins; majority in UP & Bihar, then West Bengal & Assam [2].
• IUCN status: Ganges River Dolphin — Endangered; characterised as nearly blind, uses echolocation [3].
• Legal protection: Schedule I, WLPA 1972; CITES Appendix I; CMS Appendix II [3].
• First-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges dolphin done in Assam (2024) [S4 (referenced via search)].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Environmental

• Dolphin is an apex indicator species of river health; presence signals functional aquatic ecosystem [3].
• ~90% of global Ganges dolphin population resides in India [3].
• Threats: bycatch in fishing gear, river fragmentation by dams/barrages, pollution, sand mining, vessel traffic.

Scientific / Technological

• Standardized estimation protocol released Oct 2025 — uses tandem boat surveys combining visual + acoustic (hydrophone) methods coordinated by WII [1].
• 2nd round expands to estuarine zones (Sundarbans, Odisha) with new species (Irrawaddy) [2].

Administrative / Federal

• Centre–State partnership: MoEFCC + WII + State Forest Departments of UP, Bihar, WB, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand, MP, Rajasthan, Punjab [1].
• Convergence with Namami Gange (NMCG, Jal Shakti Ministry) for habitat protection [5].

Legal / Constitutional

• Schedule I WLPA 1972 (post-2022 amendment lists Gangetic & Indus dolphins separately) [3].
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) provides funds for dolphin conservation [3].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• March 2025 (Gir): PM released 1st rangewide dolphin estimation (~6,327) at 7th NBWL meeting [1][2].
• 2024: India's first-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin in Assam (Brahmaputra) [4].
• October 2025 (Dehradun): Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the 2nd round and protocol during Wildlife Week [1].
• 17 Jan 2026 (Bijnor): Field rollout of 2nd rangewide estimation [1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• 2nd rangewide dolphin estimation flagged off from Bijnor, UP on 17 Jan 2026 [1].
• Coordinating body: Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun (autonomous body under MoEFCC) [1].
• Project Dolphin launched on 15 August 2020 (Independence Day speech) [2].
• 1st round estimate: ~6,327 riverine dolphins [2].
• Ganges River Dolphin declared National Aquatic Animal on 5 October 2009 at 1st NGRBA meeting [3].
• Listed in Schedule I of WLPA 1972; 2022 amendment lists Gangetic and Indus dolphins as distinct species [3].
• Indus River Dolphin in India found only in the Beas River, Punjab [2].
• IUCN status of Ganges River Dolphin: Endangered; ~90% of global population in India [3].
• 2nd round will newly cover Irrawaddy dolphin in Sundarbans & Odisha [2].
• Largest dolphin populations: UP and Bihar [2].
• Scientific name: Platanista gangetica (Ganges), Platanista minor (Indus) [3].
• Functionally blind; uses echolocation [3].
• 1st results released at 7th NBWL meeting, Gir (Gujarat), March 2025 [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Conservation, Environment & Biodiversity; Species in news.
• GS-II — Centre-State coordination; Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
• Possible question stems:
• "Discuss the significance of Project Dolphin in conserving India's riverine biodiversity. How does it complement the Namami Gange Mission?"
• "The health of a river can be gauged by the population of its apex predators. Examine in the context of Ganges River Dolphin conservation."
• "Critically evaluate the standardized rangewide estimation protocol as a tool for conservation policy."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Project Tiger / Project Elephant / Project Lion / Project Cheetah — flagship species programmes.
• Namami Gange & NMCG — habitat link for dolphins [5].
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972 & 2022 Amendment — schedule restructuring.
• National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) — apex statutory body that released results.
• CMS Gandhinagar Declaration 2020 — migratory species (India hosted COP-13).
• Chilika & Sundarbans ecosystems — Irrawaddy dolphin habitats.
• Wildlife Institute of India (WII) — autonomous body, Dehradun.
• IUCN Red List categories — Endangered vs Critically Endangered.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong ministry: Project Dolphin is under MoEFCC, not Jal Shakti (Namami Gange is under Jal Shakti).
• Confusion of species: Gangetic dolphin is Endangered (not Critically Endangered) per IUCN; Indus dolphin is also Endangered.
• Launch year: Project Dolphin announced in 2020, not at the 2009 NGRBA meeting (which only declared National Aquatic Animal status).
• Irrawaddy dolphin is estuarine, found in Chilika & Sundarbans — not riverine in classic sense; newly added in 2nd round only.
• Indus dolphin in India is restricted to Beas (Punjab), NOT in any other Indian river.
• WII is in Dehradun (Uttarakhand), an autonomous institute — often confused with ZSI (Kolkata) or BNHS (Mumbai).