State-Wise Dolphin Population in India: A Detailed Overview

India's rivers are home to a large population of river dolphins. These dolphins live in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna river systems and their smaller connected rivers. Their habitat extends across multiple Indian states, making them an important part of the country's freshwater ecosystem.

A recent large-scale survey, the first of its kind, has provided an estimate of the total number of river dolphins in India. According to the findings, there are approximately 6,327 dolphins living in these river basins. This survey offers the first detailed look at the status of these rare aquatic mammals in the country.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) initiated Project Dolphin in 2020 to conserve India's river dolphins. In collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and various state forest departments, a comprehensive survey was conducted between 2021 and 2023. This extensive survey covered 28 rivers across eight states, spanning a total distance of 8,507 kilometers. 

These findings underscore the importance of targeted conservation efforts to protect and preserve river dolphin habitats, especially in regions with critically low populations. These animals play a crucial role in maintaining the health of river ecosystems, acting as bio-indicators—meaning their presence indicates a clean and balanced aquatic environment.

India is home to two species of freshwater dolphins:

• Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
• Indus river dolphin (Platanista minor)

Both species are classified as Endangered due to threats such as habitat destruction, water pollution, and accidental entanglement in fishing nets. They are also protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of legal protection to wildlife in India.

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List of Indian States With Highest Population of Dolphins

The survey revealed a total of 6,327 river dolphins in India. This number comprises 6,324 Gangetic dolphins and 3 Indus dolphins. The state-wise distribution of Gangetic dolphins is as follows: 

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