Second range-wide estimation of riverine dolphins begins from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh
The second range-wide estimation of riverine and estuarine dolphins in India began from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, under Project Dolphin, the Environment Ministry announced on 17 January 2026.
Summary
The second range-wide estimation of riverine and estuarine dolphins in India began from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh under Project Dolphin, coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, with WWF India, Aaranyak and the Wildlife Trust of India. A team of 26 researchers in 3 boats is using hydrophones; the first phase covers the Ganga main stem from Bijnor to Ganga Sagar and the Indus, and the second phase the Brahmaputra, Ganga tributaries, the Sundarbans and Odisha. The survey covers the Ganges River Dolphin, the Indus River Dolphin and Irrawaddy dolphins. The previous estimation (2021â23) counted about 6,327 riverine dolphins.
Key facts
- Start point
- Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh
- Programme
- Project Dolphin
- Coordinator
- Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun
- Partners
- WWF India, Aaranyak, Wildlife Trust of India
- Team
- 26 researchers, 3 boats, hydrophones
- Phase 1
- Ganga main stem (Bijnor to Ganga Sagar) and Indus
- Previous estimate
- About 6,327 riverine dolphins (2021â23)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
From which place did the second range-wide estimation of riverine and estuarine dolphins in India begin in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A â Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh
PIB (Environment): the estimation started from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh.
Which institution is coordinating the second range-wide dolphin estimation under Project Dolphin?
Show answer
Correct answer: A â Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
PIB (Environment): the estimation is coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.
About how many riverine dolphins were estimated in India's previous range-wide survey (2021â23)?
Show answer
Correct answer: C â 6,327
PIB (Environment): the previous estimation (2021â23) recorded about 6,327 riverine dolphins.