{{Short description|Dolphin conservation programme in India (2021-present)}} {{Infobox government agency | name = Project Dolphin | logo = Project Dolphin (India) official logo.png | formed = {{Start date and age|2020}} | parent_department = Wildlife Institute of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India | website = {{url|https://riverdolphin.in/}} }} {{Wildlife of India}} '''Project Dolphin''' is a wildlife conservation movement initiated in India to protect the riverine and oceanic dolphins. The project was initiated in 2020 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India.
== History == After demands were made by wildlife activists for a project to save dolphins in India, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of Project Dolphin during the 74th independence day celebrations on 15 August 2020.<ref name="PS">{{cite press release |date=15 August 2020 |title=The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 74th Independence Day |work=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1646044 |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> The project launched as an Indian government initiative to conserve both riverine and oceanic dolphin species.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153834&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=2|title=India’s Wildlife Conservation Milestones|work=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|date=3 March 2025|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 December 2019| title=Explained: Why India needs a Project Dolphin |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-india-needs-a-project-dolphin-6167304/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Harikishan |date=5 September 2020 |title=Project Dolphin: Why is it important to save a declining river species? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/project-dolphin-why-it-is-important-to-save-a-declining-river-species-6583544/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |newspaper=The Indian Express }}</ref> The project is under the purview of the Wildlife Institute of India, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Project – Project Dolphin |url=https://riverdolphin.in/about-the-project/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |work=Project Dolphin}}</ref>
== Activities and goals == India's dolphins are at risk of extinction due to a variety of factors, namely: stranding in canal systems, constructions of waterways, unchecked fishing activity using nylon nets, noise pollution from ships, amidst other factors.<ref>{{cite web |last=Joshi |first=Prajakta |date=25 January 2023 |title=Will India lose its rare Dolphins in silence? |url=https://www.indiejournal.in/article/will-india-lose-it-s-rare-dolphins-in-silence |access-date=13 March 2023 |work=IndieJournal}}</ref> Project Dolphin involves a status monitoring of the species and their potential threats, in order to develop and implement a conservation action plan for protecting dolphins and the aquatic habitat. The project will provide financial support for conservation and anti-poaching activities. The project will also engage with local fishermen and other river/ocean dependent population to help improve the livelihood through other means.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tandon |first=Aditi |date=3 August 2022 |title=Involvement of fishing communities, transboundary cooperation could help mitigate threats to the Ganges river dolphin |url=https://india.mongabay.com/2022/08/involvement-of-fishing-communities-transboundary-cooperation-could-help-mitigate-threats-to-ganges-river-dolphin/ |access-date=13 March 2023| work=Mongabay}}</ref> It also aims to create employment opportunities and leverage the same for tourism.<ref name="PS"/>
As a part of the project, October 5th has been designated as "National Dolphin Day" by the environment ministry.<ref>{{cite news |last=Perinchery |first=Aathira |date=31 March 2022 |title=Why India’s New National Dolphin Day Is a Sham |url=https://science.thewire.in/environment/why-indias-new-national-dolphin-day-is-a-sham/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |work=The Wire Science}}</ref> As a part of the project, a dolphin breeding center for the Gangetic river dolphin is planned in the Bengal region in the stretch of the Ganges river between Farakka and Gangasagar.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chakraborti |first=Suman |date=10 March 2023 |title=On the cards, a dolphin breeding hub in Bengal |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/on-the-cards-a-dolphin-breeding-hub-in-bengal/articleshow/98529182.cms |access-date=13 March 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
== See also == * Indus river dolphin * Makara * Project Cheetah * Project Elephant * Project Tiger * South Asian river dolphin
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:2021 establishments in India Category:Projects established in 2021 Category:Wildlife conservation in India Category:Conservation projects Category:South Asian river dolphins