Sherilan Moran
BBC News, Mumbai
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Dolphins on the Ganges River
The Ganges River, India’s longest and most sacred river, has thousands of dolphins. However, their survival is under threat.
However, these are different from those found in the ocean. They don’t jump out of the water in a spectacular arc. Swim on a surface or upright position at long intervals. Instead, they swim sideways, spend a lot of time in the water, have long noses, and are almost completely blind.
These are Gangite dolphins, a dolphin species found primarily in the Ganges-Bramaputra River system in the northern part of the country, and the national aquatic animals of India.
A new study found that Indian rivers host approximately 6,327 rivers of dolphins. It has 6,324 gang tic and only three indus dolphins. Most of the Indus Dolphin has been found in Pakistan as the river flows through South Asian countries.
Both of these dolphin species are classified as “endangered species” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Wildlife Research have investigated 58 rivers in 10 states between 2021 and 2023, generating the first comprehensive number of Indian river river dolphins.
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River dolphins are different from Marine cousins (see above) – they have long noses and swim diagonally rather than upright
The origins of the Dolphin River are as attractive as the creatures themselves. Often called “living fossils,” scientists say it evolved from marine ancestors millions of years ago.
When the oceans once flooded lowland areas of South Asia, these dolphins moved inland – and when the water retreated, they remained. Over time, they adapted to ambiguous, shallow rivers, and developed characteristics that set the ocean cousins apart.
Experts say the new survey is important for tracking dolphin populations in the river. Since 1980, at least 500 dolphins have died – many have been accidentally caught in fishing nets or intentionally killed – highlighting an ongoing threat to the species.
Conservationist Rabindra Kumar Sinha says that until the early 2000s, little recognition was made about river dolphins.
In 2009, dolphins on the Ganges were declared the national aquatic animals of India to enhance conservation. Steps like the 2020 Action Plan and the dedicated research centre for 2024 helped revive that number.
But parents say there’s still a long way to go.
Dolphins continue to be poached for their meat and fat, from which the oil is extracted for use as oil bait. Otherwise, they will collide with the boat or get caught up in fishing lines and die.
Naticel Kelcar of the Wildlife Conservation Trust told Sanctô Asia magazine that many fishermen often did not report accidental deaths of dolphins, fearing legal trouble.
Under Indian Wildlife Act, accidental or targeted dolphin killings are treated as “hunting” and there are strict penalties. As a result, many poor fishermen quietly dispose of their bodies to avoid fines.
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Indian dolphin rivers are sometimes caught in fishing nets
River cruise tourism, which has been featured in India over the past decade, further threatens their habitat. Dozens of cruises run on both the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
“There is no doubt that disturbances from the cruise will have a significant impact on noise-sensitive dolphins,” protectionist Rabindra Kumar Sinha told the Guardian newspaper.
Sinha believes that increased container traffic could drive Ganges dolphins to extinction, just like the Baiji dolphins in the Yangtze River in China.
River dolphins face partial threats due to their respective evolution. Almost blind, they rely on echolocation – high-pitched sound pulses that bounce off objects and return as echoes – navigate muddy oceans. This trait is suitable for habitat, but also makes it vulnerable to modern threats.
Their poor vision and slower swimming speeds make river dolphins particularly prone to collisions with boats and other obstacles. In addition to their vulnerability, the slow cycle of reproduction matures between the ages of 6 and 10, and women usually produce one calf every 2-3 years.
However, Sinha hopes for the future of India’s dolphin river. “The government’s initiatives have played a big role in saving dolphins. A lot has been done, but more remains,” he says.
