PROJECT DOLPHIN

News: Second Rangewide Estimation of Riverine and Estuarine Dolphins launched under Project Dolphin

About Project Dolphin

• Launched: 15th August 2020.
• Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Development of Wildlife Habitats.
• Aim: To conserve both marine and riverine dolphins, along with associated cetaceans through habitat protection, scientific research, and community awareness.
• The ongoing survey will include a new species, Irrawaddy dolphin, in Sundarbans and Odisha, apart from the Gangetic and Indus River Dolphins.

Characteristics- River Dolphins:

• Functionally blind, and rely on echolocation to navigate and hunt.
• A long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body and large flippers.
• As an apex predator, they are key Indicator species of the health of rivers.

Types of River Dolphins

• Ganges river dolphin
• Indus river dolphin
• Irrawaddy dolphin

Initiatives taken for Conservation of Dolphins:

• Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar
• Chambal River Conservation Zone designated as Dolphin Conservation Zone
• Reconstitution of Project Dolphin Steering Committee, Appointment of Dolphin and Whaling Commissioners, Satellite-tagging the Ganges River Dolphin