India Conducts First-ever Ganges River Dolphin Tagging

On December 18, 2024, India successfully conducted the first-ever tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin in Assam.

Initiative: Project Dolphin: Launched by the Government of India in 2020 to conserve and protect the Ganges River Dolphin. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): Oversees the project.

Collaboration: Wildlife Institute of India (WII): Conducted the tagging in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and biodiversity organization Aaranyak. Funding: Supported by the National CAMPA Authority.

Tagging Process: Healthy Male Dolphin: A healthy male dolphin was tagged and released back into the river under veterinary care. Technology: Lightweight tags emit signals compatible with Argos satellite systems, even with limited surfacing time.

Objectives: Understanding Migratory Patterns: To gather crucial data on the dolphin’s migratory patterns, seasonal movements, and habitat use. Conservation Strategies: To develop evidence-based conservation strategies for the species.

Future Plans: Expansion: Plans to extend the tagging initiative to other states inhabited by Ganges River Dolphins. Conservation Action Plan: Develop a comprehensive conservation action plan to fill existing knowledge gaps.

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Listed as endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and accidental capture in fishing nets. National Aquatic Animal: Declared as the National Aquatic Animal of India in 2009 to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts.