680 dolphins sighted off Gujarat coast this year in first-of-its-kind census

“Earlier, in 2022-23, a limited census of dolphins was conducted at Marine National Park. After that, under the Project Dolphin initiative of the Central government, such large-scale census of dolphins has been conducted in Gujarat. This is the first such systematic census of dolphins in the state,” the forest official said. The census was conducted by the forest and environment department of the state government.

Bera said that the coastal area of Gujarat from Kutch to Bhavnagar has been established as home of dolphins. Maximum number of dolphins – 498 – were sighted in a 1,384 square kilometer area south of Gulf of Kutch spread from Okha to Navlakhi, which is also known as Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary, he said.

The two-day census was conducted earlier this year on February 3 and 4. (Express Photo)

Meanwhile, 168 dolphins were sighted in the 1,821-square-kilometer area north of the Gulf of Kutch. Ten dolphins were sighted in Bhavnagar’s 494 sq km area and four dolphins were found in 388 sq km area of Morbi. Bera said that the dolphin is a very important aquatic animal which plays a major role in the food chain of marine ecosystem.

He said the contribution of the fishermen community is also very important in their conservation. “And because of wholesome efforts to conserve dolphins, the area has become an attraction for tourists from the country and abroad,” he
said.

Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mukesh Patel said that the survey of dolphins was conducted by the forest department in collaboration with various organisations and as many as 47 experts on the subject.

The two-day census was conducted earlier this year on February 3 and 4.