Dwarka: In a move for the conservation and management of Dolphins off the Gujarat coast, the Forest Department has initiated a counting of the Dolphins.

Dolphins are spotted in the Arabian sea from Okha to Navlakhi in the Gulf of Kutch so the survey is started near the temple town Dwarka and it would be extended to other areas where frequent sightings of dolphins are reported by the locals and fishermen. The area of the survey will be 850 sq km Approximately,

Range forest officer, Pratik Joshi told TOI that “To date, no scientific survey was conducted regarding dolphin numbers, barring a couple of them conducted by individuals. This is the first time a systematic scientific survey has been undertaken.”

A total of 10 teams are engaged in this survey being conducted using a ‘line transect sampling method’ in which the Marine National Park (MNP) is a nodal agency.