India's first riverine dolphin estimation report counts 6,327 dolphins; Uttar Pradesh tops
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released India's first-ever riverine dolphin estimation report, which counted 6,327 dolphins, at the NBWL meeting in Gir on 3 March 2025.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the report of India's first-ever riverine dolphin estimation at the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife at Gir, Gujarat, on 3 March 2025. The survey estimated a total of 6,327 dolphins. It covered 28 rivers across eight states, with 3,150 mandays spent covering over 8,500 km. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest numbers, followed by Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. The PM stressed involving local people and villagers in dolphin conservation and suggested exposure visits for school children to dolphin habitats.
Key facts
- Released
- 3 March 2025, NBWL meeting, Gir
- Total estimate
- 6,327 dolphins
- Coverage
- 28 rivers in 8 states; over 8,500 km; 3,150 mandays
- Top states
- Uttar Pradesh, then Bihar, West Bengal, Assam
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which state recorded the highest number of dolphins in India's first riverine dolphin estimation report released on 3 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest numbers, followed by Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
The first riverine dolphin estimation, whose report was released at Gir on 3 March 2025, surveyed how many rivers across how many states?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 28 rivers in 8 states
The survey covered 28 rivers across eight states, with 3,150 mandays spent covering over 8,500 km.
What total number of dolphins was estimated in the first-ever riverine dolphin estimation report released by the PM on 3 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 6,327
The report estimated a total of 6,327 dolphins; 3,150 was the number of mandays and 8,500 km the distance surveyed.