Ranchi, Oct 12: In a landmark decision aimed at strengthening riverine biodiversity conservation, Chief Minister Hemant Soren has approved the establishment of Jharkhand’s first Dolphin Sanctuary along the Ganga River in Sahibganj district. The initiative, already cleared by the State Wildlife Board, now awaits formal clearance from the State Cabinet. Once approved, Sahibganj will become India’s second official dolphin sanctuary, after the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
The move marks a historic step in Jharkhand’s environmental governance and places Sahibganj, the only district in the state through which the Ganga flows at the forefront of aquatic conservation efforts. Over the past few years, this 89-km stretch of the Ganga, extending between Rajmahal and Sahibganj, has emerged as one of the most productive habitats for the endangered Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica). A 2025 survey conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) found an impressive average density of 2.88 dolphins per kilometre, the highest recorded in any river section in India, with an estimated total population of 256 dolphins in this region.
Experts attribute this remarkable recovery to improvements in water quality and habitat conditions under the Namami Gange programme, which has led to cleaner, oxygen-rich waters — essential for the survival of the Gangetic dolphin, India’s national aquatic animal. The species is not just an emblem of India’s natural heritage but also a bioindicator of river health; its growing numbers reflect healthier fish populations, improved oxygen levels, and a restored aquatic ecosystem.
The proposed Sahibganj Dolphin Sanctuary will encompass the Manjhi Kundi area, located roughly 10 kilometres from Sahibganj town, and will form a natural ecological corridor with the dolphin-rich stretches of the Ganga in neighbouring Bihar. Once notified, the sanctuary is expected to receive an annual budget of ₹4 crore to support conservation, awareness, and long-term monitoring programmes. The Forest Department plans to implement scientific tracking, patrolling, and habitat management measures, alongside extensive community participation to ensure sustainable protection.
However, establishing the sanctuary requires coordination with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), as parts of the proposed protected zone overlap with navigation routes connected to the Sahibganj multi-modal port. Officials are now considering a zoning model, which would allow regulated commercial shipping in designated channels while protecting the side streams and backwaters that serve as key dolphin breeding grounds.
The Sahibganj stretch is also known for its rich aquatic diversity, including several native fish and turtle species, making it an ideal location for eco-tourism development. The WII has recommended creating dolphin-viewing points and promoting regulated, eco-friendly boat tours. Plans are underway to train local fishermen and youth as eco-guides, helping them transition from traditional livelihoods to conservation-linked employment. This model, officials say, will help balance ecological protection with socio-economic empowerment.
Despite the optimism, conservationists caution that several challenges need to be addressed for the sanctuary’s success. The use of fine-mesh fishing nets, intense river traffic, illegal sand mining, and dredging activities pose ongoing threats to dolphins and their breeding sites. Earlier this month, the discovery of a dead dolphin near Shobhapur village raised fresh concerns about habitat degradation, prompting the Forest Department to strengthen surveillance and involve local community volunteers in continuous monitoring efforts.
Once officially notified, the Sahibganj Dolphin Sanctuary will place Jharkhand firmly on India’s aquatic conservation map, symbolizing the state’s growing commitment to protecting biodiversity while fostering sustainable commerce and tourism along the Ganga. It will also strengthen India’s broader conservation network under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, where the Gangetic river dolphin enjoys Schedule I protection, the highest level of legal safeguard accorded to wildlife species in the country.
The creation of this sanctuary will not only serve as a tribute to the resilience of the Ganga ecosystem but also reaffirm the nation’s resolve to restore harmony between nature and development, ensuring that the song of the river’s most graceful resident continues to echo through the waters of Sahibganj.