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Odisha’s claim to fame in the world of aquatic biodiversity has long rested on the backs of the Irrawaddy dolphins that are found in the calm, brackish waters of Chilika Lake, making it a globally significant dolphin habitat.
Tourists and conservationists alike have flocked here for years to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures, marking Chilika as the largest known home of this endangered species globally.
But beyond the limelight of the Chilika Lake dolphin sanctuary, hidden deep within the crisscrossing river systems of Odisha, there may lie a less-documented but equally critical presence of freshwater dolphins, including the Gangetic dolphin and other rare dolphin species in Odisha’s rivers.
Recent developments, like the 2024 capture and rescue of a rare Gangetic dolphin in the Jalaka River in Balasore, have reignited interest and concern among wildlife researchers and forest officials about the potential population of these endangered freshwater dolphins in Odisha’s lesser-known water bodies.
Chilika’s Irrawaddy Heartland
At the heart of Odisha’s dolphin ecosystem is Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. The 2024 census conducted by the Odisha Forest Department and the Chilika Development Authority pegged the Irrawaddy dolphin population at 159 individuals, making it the world’s largest single lagoon population of the species.
Gahirmatha and Bhitarkanika: Beyond the Brackish
Away from Chilika, the Bhitarkanika National Park and the adjacent Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary also form an important bastion for dolphin biodiversity.
According to the 2024 census, a combined total of 505 dolphins were recorded in these two zones, spread across four different species, including the humpback, bottlenose, and spinner dolphins. This marks a marginal increase from the previous year while also marking the importance of Odisha’s coastal zones as vibrant dolphin habitats.
The census covered estuarine waters from the Dhamra to Devi river mouths, with nine teams undertaking a meticulous count. These areas are already world-renowned for hosting Olive Ridley turtles and mugger crocodiles, but their dolphin populations add yet another layer to the ecological mosaic.
A Rare Glimpse: Gangetic Dolphins in Rivers
On January 18, 2024, a fisherman in Balasore district captured a rare Gangetic dolphin in the Jalaka River. The animal was later rescued from a village pond and is expected to be released into the Budhabalang River.
Declared India’s national aquatic animal in 2009, the Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is legally protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Blind from birth and guided by echolocation, their presence in Odisha may point to a more complex freshwater ecosystem than previously understood.
Why It Matters: Conservation in Uncharted Waters
The discovery of the Gangetic dolphin raises urgent questions: Are Odisha’s rivers a secondary habitat for this species? Could there be undocumented populations that need immediate study and protection?
Forest officials and researchers are calling for a dedicated population study and habitat mapping exercise for freshwater dolphin species in Odisha. The success story of Chilika’s Irrawaddy dolphins offers a tested model of conservation through community involvement, restricted tourism, and scientific tracking. This approach, experts argue, can be extended to the riverine contexts with appropriate adaptations.
With a mix of state resolve, scientific inquiry, and community stewardship, Odisha has the potential to become a multi-ecosystem model for dolphin conservation in India.
If Odisha acts promptly, these ancient freshwater mammals may once again thrive not just in history books and carcasses displayed in museums but in the flowing, living rivers of the state.
