Guwahati: In a groundbreaking move, a male Ganges river dolphin in Assam has been tagged and released to study its seasonal and migratory patterns, as well as habitat usage, particularly in fragmented and disturbed river systems.
The initiative, part of Project Dolphin, is spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Assam Forest Department, and biodiversity organization Aaranyak.
It is funded by the National CAMPA Authority, according to an official release.
This marks the first-ever tagging of a Ganges river dolphin in India, aiming to fill critical knowledge gaps and develop a comprehensive conservation action plan for the long-term survival of the species.
The Ganges river dolphin, designated as India’s national aquatic animal, is known for its unique adaptation to riverine life.
Nearly blind, it relies on echolocation to navigate and hunt.
Once widespread across the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli river systems, its population and distribution have declined significantly over the last century.
Despite its vast range, understanding of the species remains limited due to its elusive nature, as dolphins surface for only 5 to 30 seconds at a time.
This has posed challenges to gathering ecological data essential for effective conservation.
“This tagging initiative is a historic step that will enable evidence-based conservation strategies for this iconic species,” said WII Director Virendra R Tiwari.
Project investigator Vishnupriya Kolipakam emphasized the importance of this research in conserving critical river habitats.
“Protecting these habitats is vital not just for aquatic biodiversity but also for the thousands of people who depend on these river systems,” Kolipakam noted.
The lightweight tags, equipped with advanced technology, emit signals compatible with Argos satellite systems, allowing researchers to track dolphin movements even with their limited surfacing time.
Efforts are underway to extend this initiative to other states where Ganges river dolphins are found, to create a broader understanding of their population dynamics and habitat requirements.
As apex predators, Ganges river dolphins play a crucial role in maintaining the health of river ecosystems.
Ensuring their conservation supports the entire aquatic environment and benefits communities that rely on these resources.
This initiative addresses the lack of data on the species’ movement patterns, habitat needs, and range, with satellite tagging providing critical insights for future conservation efforts.
