Patna: Bihar is home to 35% of India’s river dolphin population, making it the second-ranked state after Uttar Pradesh, according to the country’s first-ever national river dolphin estimation report released by the Centre.
Of the total 6,327 dolphins found across India, 2,220 were recorded in Bihar, just 177 fewer than in Uttar Pradesh. The findings come from an extensive survey conducted under the aegis of the National Board for Wildlife. The survey covered 8,507km of river stretches across 28 rivers in eight states, including Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
In Bihar, dolphins were found in six major rivers beyond the Ganga – including the Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda, Kamla-Balan, and Bagmati. Smaller populations were also spotted in rivers such as Punpun, Karmanasha, and Dhora. Once home to a thriving dolphin population, the Son river has witnessed a near-total disappearance of the species.
The report emphasised that the Ganga remains the most suitable river for dolphins due to its rich biodiversity, including an abundance of small fish and aquatic vegetation – key indicators of a healthy river ecosystem. Experts noted that dolphins serve as biological indicators of river health, and their growing numbers in the Ganga suggest improving conditions.
Historically, Bihar held a larger share of India’s dolphin population, but numbers dwindled over time due to pollution, habitat disruption, and reduced flow. The recent upsurge, however, offers hope for continued conservation.
