Lok Sabha Question No. 66 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Conservation of the Ganges River Dolphin
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 66

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

## Conservation of the Ganges River Dolphin

## 66. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the current estimated population of the Ganges River Dolphins in the Brahmaputra and Barak river basins and its estimated decrease/increase during the last ten years;
- (b) the details regarding the number of dead Ganges River Dolphins that have been found in the Brahmaputra and Barak river basins during the last five years along with the common causes of death that have been ascertained for them;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  comprehensive  studies  on  the  impact  of construction of dams and other infrastructure such as bridges at the locations having more population of Ganges River Dolphins in the North-East Region and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details regarding the funds allocated to the North-Eastern Region (NER) under Project Dolphin and the utilisation rates of the same, State-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) Under  Project  Dolphin,  the  first-ever  comprehensive  population  survey  of  River Dolphins was conducted in the entire range of the Ganges River Dolphin in the Ganga and Brahmaputra as well as the Indus River Dolphin in the Beas river systems. The survey estimated a population of 6,324 (range: 5,977-6,688) Ganges River Dolphins. As per studies conducted on River Dolphins the population of Gangetic River Dolphin in Brahmaputra River has been reported as stable but there are no recent reports of its presence in Barak River. The details of current estimated populations of the Gangetic River Dolphin in Brahmaputra and Barak River basins is as given below
- (b) As reported by the state of Assam, a total of 10 cases of mortality of River Dolphins was found across various river systems in Assam between 2020 and 2025. Various

|             | River Stretch                                                       | Population Estimation   |
|-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
| Brahmaputra | Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Setu- Hatsingimari (Indo-Bangladesh Border)     | 584 (558-610)           |
| Barak       | Sonabari (Assam-Manipur Border)- Rajartila (Indo-Bangladesh Border) | 0                       |

reasons like accidental killing, unknown causes, internal injury etc were ascribed to these deaths.

- (c) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not undertaken any specific study on impact of construction of dams and other infrastructure at locations having more populations of Ganges River Dolphins in North East Region. However, the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 mandates a comprehensive  environmental  clearance  process  which  also  includes  biodiversity assessments as part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for dam construction  projects.  Further,  for  projects  involving  more  than  50  ha  and  falling within  Protected  Areas,  biodiversity  impact  assessment  report  is  required  for consideration  of  the  project  by  the  Standing  Committee  of  National  Board  for Wildlife.
- (d) The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  provides  financial assistance  to  State  Governments  and  Union  Territories  under  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme 'Development of Wildlife Habitats' for conservation and management of protected  areas,  conservation  of  wildlife  outside  protected  areas  and  recovery programme of 22 identified critically endangered species and its habitats as per the Annual Plan of Operations (APO) received from the State Governments and Union Territories  and  subject  to  availability  of  funds.  The  details  of  funds  released  for species recovery programme of Dolphin to States/UTs under the scheme during last five years is attached at Annexure.

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## Annexure referred to in reply to parts (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 66 due for reply on 21.07.2025 regarding 'Conservation of the Ganges River Dolphin'

## Details of funds released during the last five years to States/UTs for conservation of Dolphin under component of Centrally Sponsored Scheme -'Development of Wildlife Habitats'

(in Lakhs)

| S.No.   | Name of State    | Year wise fund released   | Year wise fund released   | Year wise fund released   | Year wise fund released   | Year wise fund released   |
|---------|------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
|         |                  | 2020-21                   | 2021-22                   | 2022-23                   | 2023-24                   | 2024-25                   |
| 1       | Bihar            | 21.685                    | 112.14223                 | 0                         | 44.10511                  | 0                         |
| 2       | Odisha           | 22.80                     | 22.95                     | 47.70                     | 40.17966                  | 53.48794                  |
| 3       | Lakshadweep      | 69.05                     | 46.12                     | 40.175                    | 46.285                    | 46.285                    |
| 4       | Andaman &Nicobar | 0                         | 0                         | 25.125                    | 0                         | 0                         |
| 5       | West Bengal      | 0                         | 0                         | 20.14875                  | 0                         | 28.76                     |
| 6       | Uttar Pradesh    | 0                         | 0                         | 55.0068                   | 0                         | 62.11254                  |
| 7       | Assam            | 0                         | 0                         | 24.39                     | 0                         | 0                         |
| 8       | Madhya Pradesh   | 0                         | 0                         | 18.9426                   | 24.367                    | 52.20                     |
| 9       | Rajasthan        | 0                         | 0                         | 10.25                     | 0                         | 0                         |
| 10      | Tamil Nadu       | 0                         | 0                         | 0                         | 121.902                   | 120.40125                 |
|         | Total            | 113.535                   | 181.21223                 | 241.73815                 | 276.83877                 | 363.24673                 |

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