India has 6,327 dolphins, PM Modi releases first estimate report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the inaugural comprehensive report on the estimation of riverine dolphins in India, which indicates a total population of 6,327 dolphins nationwide.

This initiative involved an extensive survey of 28 rivers across eight states, spanning over 8,500 kilometers and necessitating 3,150 mandays of effort. Uttar Pradesh emerged as the state with the highest dolphin population, followed by Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

The report underscores the critical need for conservation measures aimed at these endangered species. River dolphins serve as vital indicators of a healthy river ecosystem, and their declining numbers have raised alarms regarding pollution and habitat degradation. Notably, the Ganges River dolphin is classified as endangered and inhabits the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system.

During the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, convened at Gir National Park in Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of engaging local communities in dolphin conservation efforts.

He proposed organizing exposure visits for school children to dolphin habitats to enhance awareness. The meeting also addressed various wildlife conservation programs, including Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and the formation of the International Big Cats Alliance.

Furthermore, PM Modi announced the commencement of the 16th cycle of Asiatic Lion estimation and plans to broaden the introduction of cheetahs to new regions.The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of advanced technologies, such as remote sensing and artificial intelligence, in tackling wildlife challenges, including human-wildlife conflicts and forest fires.

He advocated for partnerships between the Wildlife Institute of India and other organizations to effectively utilize these technologies.