Gandhinagar: The recently conducted Dolphin Census 2024 has found that around 680 dolphins reside in a 4,087 square kilometer marine area of Gujarat, Forest and Environment Minister Mulubhai Bera announced today.

Bera stated, “Gujarat has a rich aquatic heritage, boasting the longest sea coast and many rare aquatic animals. Among these, the most beautiful and attractive is the dolphin. Recently, the Gujarat Forest Department conducted a dolphin census. Thanks to the efforts of the government, for aquatic wildlife conservation and breeding, approximately 680 dolphins have been recorded in Gujarat’s marine area of 4,087 sq. km. This is a proud moment for all Gujaratis.”

While providing details about the Dolphin Census 2024, Forest Minister Mulubhai noted that the highest number of 498 dolphins were observed in a 1,384 square kilometer region south of the Gulf of Kutch, extending from Okha to Navlakhi, which is recognized as the Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Meanwhile, 168 dolphins were spotted in a 1,821 square kilometer area to the north of the Gulf of Kutch. Ten dolphins were recorded in a 494 square kilometer area of Bhavnagar, while four dolphins were found in the 388 square kilometer region of Morbi.

The Forest Minister added that dolphins are very important aquatic animals for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. As top predators among marine mammals, they play a crucial role in the food chain and help maintain balance in the marine ecosystem. The contribution of local fishermen, who fish in the sea from Kutch to Bhavnagar, is equally important in saving these dolphins. As a result of these collective efforts, the dolphins along the coast of Gujarat have become a new attraction for tourists from abroad.

Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mukeshbhai Patel discussed the dolphin counting method, explaining that the survey was conducted over two days as a joint initiative of various organizations, including the Forest Department. A total of 47 specialists, including technical scientists, observers, photographers, and field assistants, participated in each team. Surveys were conducted using various boats equipped with binoculars and GPS technology. DeshGujarat