Project Dolphin

Home
Project Dolphin

Project Dolphin

Table of Contents

Dolphins in India: An Overview

Habitat and Distribution
- Dolphins are intelligent and socially complex animals that inhabit various aquatic ecosystems. In India, they are found across marine, brackish, and freshwater environments.
- Marine and Harbour Dolphins: About 15 species of marine and coastal dolphins have been recorded along the Indian coastline.
- Brackish Water Dolphins: The Irrawaddy Dolphin inhabits the brackish waters of Odisha, particularly in Chilika Lake.
- Freshwater Dolphins:
  - The Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is primarily found in the Ganga River and its tributaries.
  - The Indus River Dolphin has been reported in parts of the Indus River in Punjab.
Legal Protection
- All dolphin species found in India—marine, brackish water, and freshwater—are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This status grants them the highest level of protection from hunting, trade, and habitat destruction.

Project Dolphin

Project Dolphin was launched on 15th August 2020
It aims to conserve both marine and riverine dolphins, along with associated cetaceans, through habitat protection, scientific research, and community awareness.
Project Dolphin will involve conservation of Dolphins and the aquatic habitat through use of modern technology specially in enumeration and anti-poaching activities.
The project is under the purview of the Wildlife Institute of India, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Project Dolphin involves a status monitoring of the species and their potential threats, in order to develop and implement a conservation action plan for protecting dolphins and the aquatic habitat.
The project will provide financial support for conservation and anti-poaching activities.
The conservation of Dolphin will also envisage activities which will also help in the mitigation of pollution in rivers and in the oceans
Community Engagement & Livelihood Support
- It will engage with local fishermen and other river/ocean dependent population to help improve the livelihood through other means.
- It also aims to create employment opportunities and leverage the same for tourism.
Key Initiatives Under the Project
- National Dolphin Day: Observed on October 5 each year to raise awareness and promote dolphin conservation.
- Dolphin Breeding Centre: A specialized breeding facility for the Gangetic River Dolphin is being developed in the Farakka–Gangasagar stretch of the Ganga River in West Bengal.

FAQs

1. What is Project Dolphin?

Project Dolphin is a government initiative launched on 15th August 2020 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It aims to conserve both riverine and marine dolphins, along with their aquatic ecosystems, through scientific methods, habitat protection, and community involvement.

Q 2. What is National Dolphin Day and when is it observed?

October 5 is celebrated as National Dolphin Day to spread awareness about dolphin conservation and the importance of aquatic biodiversity.

Trending Today

✍️ Curated by InclusiveIAS Editorial Team

At InclusiveIAS, our editorial team is led by experts who have successfully cleared multiple stages of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, including Mains and Interview. With deep insights into the demands of the exam, we focus on crafting content that is accurate, exam-relevant, and easy to grasp.

Whether it’s Polity, Current Affairs, GS papers, or Optional subjects, our notes are designed to:

Break down complex topics into simple, structured points
Align strictly with the UPSC syllabus and PYQ trends
Save your time by offering crisp yet comprehensive coverage
Help you score more with smart presentation, keywords, and examples

🟢 Every article, note, and test is not just written—but carefully edited to ensure it helps you study faster, revise better, and write answers like a topper.