First Organised Census of Indus Dolphins in Punjab

The First Organised Census of Indus River Dolphins in Punjab was a landmark conservation initiative launched by the Government of Punjab to scientifically assess the population and habitat of the Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor)—one of the rarest and most endangered freshwater mammals in the world. Conducted by the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature–India (WWF-India), the survey provided the first systematic and data-driven understanding of the species’ presence in the Beas River, the only Indian habitat where this dolphin is now found.

Background and Context

The Indus River Dolphin, locally known as Susu or Bhulan, was once found across the Indus river system—including the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Chenab rivers—before the construction of dams, barrages, and irrigation canals fragmented its habitat. As a result, the species disappeared from most parts of India and is now confined to a limited stretch of the Beas River in Punjab.
Recognised as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indus Dolphin is a State Aquatic Animal of Punjab and a key indicator of river ecosystem health.
Before the organised census, knowledge about the population size and distribution of the Indus Dolphin in Punjab was largely based on anecdotal evidence and occasional sightings. The need for reliable data prompted the state government to initiate the first scientifically structured dolphin census.

Launch and Organising Agencies

The First Organised Census of Indus Dolphins was carried out in February 2021 under the leadership of the Punjab Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department, with technical and logistical support from WWF-India and the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
The survey covered a 185-kilometre stretch of the Beas River, from Harike Wildlife Sanctuary near the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers up to the Talwara Barrage in Hoshiarpur district.
The initiative was formally launched by Shri Suresh Kumar, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Punjab, and supervised by Shri Rakesh Kumar Verma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). It was the first time a state government in India had conducted a full-scale, organised dolphin census using internationally accepted scientific protocols.

Objectives of the Census

The major objectives of the dolphin census were:

• To estimate the population size and distribution range of the Indus Dolphin in the Beas River.
• To identify critical habitats, including feeding, breeding, and resting zones.
• To evaluate the river’s ecological health and its capacity to sustain dolphin populations.
• To document threats such as pollution, fishing nets, and water extraction.
• To create a scientific baseline for long-term monitoring and conservation planning.

Methodology and Approach

The census adopted a combination of visual, acoustic, and habitat survey techniques following global best practices for freshwater cetacean studies.

1. Visual Sighting Surveys:
   • Conducted through boat-based transects along both sides of the river.
   • Observers recorded dolphin sightings, group sizes, swimming patterns, and GPS coordinates.
2. Acoustic Monitoring:
   • Specialised hydrophones were deployed to capture dolphin echolocation clicks, confirming their presence in turbid or deep sections of the river where visibility was low.
3. Habitat Assessment:
   • Data were collected on water depth, current velocity, turbidity, and temperature.
   • Human activities such as sand mining, fishing, and agriculture runoff were recorded for impact analysis.
4. Community Involvement:
   • Local fishermen and villagers were interviewed to gather traditional knowledge and reports of dolphin sightings.
   • Community members were sensitised on dolphin protection measures.

Key Findings

The census confirmed the presence of seven to eight individual Indus River Dolphins in the Beas River stretch between Harike and Karmowala.
These findings validated previous informal observations and established that the Beas River hosts the only remaining population of Indus Dolphins in India, as populations in the Sutlej and Ravi rivers have long vanished.
The results also highlighted:

• Stable population trend: The Beas dolphins appeared to be maintaining a small but stable population.
• Critical habitat zones: Certain deep-water sections of the Beas provided favourable habitats for feeding and breeding.
• Major threats: Reduced water flow due to upstream dams, entanglement in fishing nets, and water pollution were identified as key pressures on the species.

Conservation Measures Initiated

The census strengthened Punjab’s ongoing efforts to protect the Indus Dolphin and its riverine ecosystem. Key initiatives include:

1. Beas Conservation Reserve (2019): A 185-kilometre stretch of the Beas River was notified as a Conservation Reserve under Section 36A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — the first river stretch in Punjab to receive such protection.
2. Beas Dolphin Conservation Programme: A long-term initiative launched by the state in collaboration with WWF-India, focusing on regular dolphin monitoring, awareness campaigns, and community-based protection.
3. Ban on Harmful Activities:
   • Prohibition of commercial fishing, sand mining, and pollution discharge within the reserve area.
   • Strict enforcement against illegal fishing gear, particularly gill nets.
4. River Monitoring and Patrols: Dedicated patrol teams from the Forest Department conduct regular surveillance to ensure compliance and monitor dolphin activity.
5. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educational drives were launched in nearby villages to promote community participation in dolphin conservation and highlight the Beas as a biodiversity-rich river ecosystem.

Collaborative Efforts

• WWF-India provided technical expertise, capacity building, and conservation planning support.
• Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) verified species identification and validated data collection methods.
• Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) assisted in assessing water quality parameters.
• Local communities and eco-volunteers played a critical role in sighting verification and conservation advocacy.

Ecological and Policy Significance

The census holds great ecological and administrative importance:

• It provided the first scientifically verified population estimate for the Indus Dolphin in India.
• It established the Beas River as a critical habitat for freshwater biodiversity.
• It contributed to Punjab’s broader State Action Plan on Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation.
• It set a model for other states and South Asian countries to conduct similar aquatic mammal censuses.

Challenges Identified

Despite progress, the census highlighted ongoing challenges:

• Habitat fragmentation from dams and barrages limiting dolphin movement.
• Pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge.
• Seasonal water scarcity reducing habitat quality.
• Lack of public awareness in certain riverine communities.

To overcome these issues, the government proposed measures such as maintaining environmental flow regimes, strengthening inter-departmental coordination, and introducing eco-tourism initiatives linked to river conservation.