---
title: "Gangetic River Dolphin: India's Aquatic Animal"
description: "The Gangetic river dolphin is India's National Aquatic Animal, listed Schedule I and Endangered. See its legal protections, Project Dolphin, and UPSC relevance."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/gangetic-river-dolphin"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Gangetic river dolphin is a freshwater cetacean of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems, designated India's National Aquatic Animal in 2009.
- Why was the Gangetic river dolphin declared India's National Aquatic Animal?
- What legal protections cover the Gangetic river dolphin?
- How does Project Dolphin differ from earlier dolphin conservation efforts?
- What is the main threat to the species despite its Schedule I status?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Gangetic river dolphin is a freshwater cetacean of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems, designated India's National Aquatic Animal in 2009.

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## Timeline

1. 5 October 2009

   The pivotal administrative step came on , when the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), chaired by the Prime Minister, declared the Gangetic river d…

2. 15 August 2020

   Project Dolphin was announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day address on and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, modelling…

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Example

On 15 August 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Project Dolphin from the Red Fort, establishing a dedicated conservation programme for the Gangetic river dolphin modelled on Project Tiger.

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