Project Dolphin India

Project Dolphin India is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at conserving India’s dolphin species, both in rivers and marine ecosystems. Launched under the theme of human-wildlife coexistence, this project is part of the broader vision of sustainable wildlife conservation in the country.

The program received renewed focus during Wildlife Week 2025, celebrated at IGNFA, Dehradun, where the Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized the importance of community participation, technology, and innovation in wildlife protection.

Objectives of Project Dolphin India

The primary goal of Project Dolphin India Phase II is to expand monitoring and protection efforts for the Gangetic dolphin and other cetaceans in Indian waters.

The project focuses on:

• River dolphin habitat restoration to ensure safe breeding and feeding grounds.

• Marine dolphin protection, minimizing risks from fishing, pollution, and underwater noise.

• Cetacean conservation, including population estimation and threat mitigation strategies.

• Community engagement in dolphin conservation involves local populations in protection efforts.

• Promoting awareness through National Dolphin Day celebrations across the country.

By addressing threats to dolphin populations, Project Dolphin India helps improve the overall health of aquatic ecosystems and contributes to sustainable wildlife conservation.

Gangetic Dolphin Conservation

The Gangetic river dolphin, India’s national aquatic animal, is critically endangered. Project Dolphin India implements multiple strategies for their protection, including

• Surveying and mapping dolphin habitats to monitor population trends.

• Implementing AI-based wildlife conflict mitigation tools for real-time detection and protection.

• Reducing human-wildlife conflict through human-wildlife coexistence strategies.

• Promoting community participation in dolphin conservation initiatives.

Through these efforts, river dolphin populations in India are being actively monitored, ensuring long-term sustainability under Project Dolphin India.

Marine Dolphin Protection in India

• Apart from river dolphins, Project Dolphin India also emphasizes marine cetacean protection in India. This includes safeguarding dolphins from fishing nets, ship collisions, and water pollution.

• The initiative integrates scientific research and technology-driven approaches to track marine dolphins and develop effective conservation plans.

Role of Technology and Innovation

• During Wildlife Week 2025 in Dehradun, a National Hackathon focused on AI-based wildlife conflict mitigation, bringing together youth and technology innovators from across 20 states and UTs.

• These innovative tools support Project Dolphin India by monitoring dolphin populations, predicting conflict zones, and designing actionable conservation strategies.

Community Engagement and Awareness

• Project Dolphin India actively involves local communities in conservation efforts. By educating people about human-wildlife coexistence, the project ensures that both humans and dolphins can thrive in shared habitats.

• Awareness programs and National Dolphin Day celebrations help build public support and foster a culture of conservation.

Key Highlights from Wildlife Week 2025

• Launch of Project Dolphin India Phase II, along with four other national wildlife initiatives.

• Emphasis on AI-based wildlife conflict mitigation and community engagement in dolphin conservation.

• Discussions on how Project Dolphin India contributes to sustainable wildlife conservation.

• Field guides and resources for Gangetic river dolphin conservation and marine dolphin protection.

• Promotion of human-wildlife coexistence strategies to reduce conflicts and improve biodiversity outcomes.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite significant progress, Project Dolphin India faces challenges such as habitat fragmentation, pollution, illegal fishing, and climate impacts on river ecosystems. Ongoing research, community involvement, and policy support are critical to overcoming these challenges.

By strengthening both monitoring and protection efforts, India aims to secure a safe future for river and marine dolphins.

Final Thoughts

Project Dolphin India is a major conservation initiative by the Government of India aimed at protecting both river and marine dolphins. Launched under the theme of human-wildlife coexistence, the project focuses on Gangetic dolphin conservation, marine cetacean protection, and river dolphin habitat restoration. During Wildlife Week 2025 at Dehradun, the Union Environment Minister highlighted the importance of community engagement, technology, and policy support in wildlife conservation.

The project uses AI-based wildlife conflict mitigation tools and promotes dolphin conservation initiatives that involve local communities in protecting endangered species.

Celebrations like National Dolphin Day create awareness and encourage active participation in sustainable wildlife conservation. With the launch of Project Dolphin India Phase II, the government aims to address challenges such as pollution, habitat loss, and human-induced threats to dolphins.