In News:

Odisha has registered its highest marine dolphin population in the past five years, with 765 dolphins recorded in the 2026 State-wide census. The estimation highlights stable to improving population trends and underscores the role of sustained conservation, habitat protection, and community participation.

About the Dolphin Census in Odisha

What is it?

• An annual scientific population estimation exercise assessing the abundance, distribution, and diversity of dolphins and other cetaceans in Odisha’s marine, estuarine, and lagoon ecosystems.

Conducting Authority

The census is conducted by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha. It involves:

• Forest officials and frontline staff
• Marine experts
• Boat-based and shore-based transect surveys
• Training in species identification and safety protocols

The exercise began in Chilika in 2008 and expanded to all coastal forest divisions since 2015.

Key Findings: Dolphin Census 2026

Total Population: 765 dolphins (An increase of 55 individuals compared to the previous year)

Species-wise Distribution

• Humpback Dolphins – 497
• Irrawaddy Dolphins – 208
• Bottlenose Dolphins – 55
• Spinner Dolphins – 3
• Finless Porpoise – 2

Key Conservation Zones

Chilika Lake

• Recorded 159 Irrawaddy dolphins.
• Hosts the largest single-area concentration of Irrawaddy dolphins globally.
• It is a Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance).
• Population has remained stagnant for two years due to:
  • Slow breeding rate
  • Habitat stress (prawn gheries, nylon fishing nets)
  • Possible migration to other areas

Irrawaddy dolphins were also sighted in:

• Balasore
• Berhampur
• Puri Wildlife Division
• Rajnagar Mangrove Division

Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary

• Emerged as a strong marine conservation zone.
• Recorded 474 Humpback dolphins, the highest among surveyed regions.

Conservation Significance

• Dolphins are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (highest level of legal protection).
• The Irrawaddy dolphin is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Dolphins serve as flagship and indicator species of marine ecosystem health.

Reasons for Population Improvement

• Habitat protection measures
• Regulation of fishing practices
• Community participation drives
• Scientific monitoring and inter-divisional coordination
• Capacity building of field staff

About Dolphins (General Features)

Dolphins are aquatic marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacea.

Key Characteristics:

• Highly intelligent; capable of complex communication.
• Use echolocation for navigation and hunting.
• Social animals living in pods.
• Slow breeding rate (especially Irrawaddy dolphins).
• Indicators of marine ecosystem health.

Species Found in Odisha

• Humpback Dolphin
• Irrawaddy Dolphin
• Bottlenose Dolphin
• Spinner Dolphin
• Finless Porpoise (closely related cetacean)