Parliament Question: Conservation of Ganga Dolphins

OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 189 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 Conservation of Ganga Dolphins 189. SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the Ganga Barrage area in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh is emerging as an important centre for the conservation of Ganga Dolphins (Susu) and that a nationwide dolphin census campaign has been launched from here in this year; (b) the extent of increase or change recorded in the population of Ganga Dolphins in the Ganga River, particularly in the Bijnor region during the last five years; (c) the amount of funds allocated so far under Project Dolphin for dolphin conservation, habitat security, scientific surveys and public awareness programmes; and (d) whether the Government is considering the establishment of any special project or centre to promote dolphin conservation, research, public awareness and eco-tourism in the Bijnor region? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (d): To ascertain reliable population estimates for river dolphins, the Government of India undertook the first-ever range-wide river dolphin survey across the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Beas river systems, including stretches of the River Ganga in the Bijnor region of Uttar Pradesh from 2021 to 2023. The survey established the first comprehensive baseline for assessing river dolphin populations in the country. Building upon this baseline and considering the ecological importance of the Bijnor stretch, the second range-wide river dolphin population estimation was launched from Bijnor in January 2026 to establish trends over time. For dolphin conservation activities, an amount of Rs. 1.61 crore was released to the State of Uttar Pradesh till the last fiscal year. Further, an amount of Rs. 46.03 crore was released to the Wildlife Institute of India for dolphin conservation activities in the country, which included an amount of Rs. 12.43 crore for the 2nd range wide estimation of riverine and estuarine Dolphins in India. In addition, an amount of Rs. 32.97 crore was approved for implementation of the Dolphin Conservation Action Plan and Recovery of River Dolphins and their Aquatic Habitats, including habitat security, scientific monitoring and public awareness. *****