State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 19 Jan 2026

2nd Rangewide Dolphin Estimation launched from Bijnor

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the Second Rangewide Estimation of Riverine and Estuarine Dolphins, flagged off from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh.. 

Key Points 

• Purpose: To generate updated scientific data on population, distribution, habitat status, and threats of riverine and estuarine dolphins for evidence-based conservation planning. 
• Project Dolphin Initiative: The survey is conducted under Project Dolphin, launched in 2020. 
• Implementing Agency: The estimation is coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, in collaboration with State Forest Departments. 
• Geographical Coverage: Phase-I covers the main stem of the Ganga from Bijnor to Ganga Sagar and the Indus River. 
  • Phase-II includes the Brahmaputra, Ganga tributaries, Sundarbans delta, and Odisha coast. 
• Species Covered: The survey includes Ganges River Dolphin, Indus River Dolphin, and Irrawaddy Dolphin. 
• Previous Estimation Data: The first nationwide dolphin estimation (2021–23) recorded 6,327 riverine dolphins, with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar reporting the highest populations. 
• Conservation Significance: The estimation will support river ecosystem conservation, pollution control, and sustainable river management policies aligned with biodiversity commitments. 

Read More: Project Dolphin, Sundarbans, Gangetic Dolphins, River System