The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is one of the world’s most threatened freshwater cetaceans and a species of global conservation concern. In Nepal, it is listed as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild. The species faces mounting pressure from human-induced threats, including unsustainable fishing practices, river pollution, extensive land-use change, and low levels of conservation awareness among river-dependent communities. This project will be implemented along the Koshi River, within the jurisdiction of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) and its buffer zone areas. Originating in Tibet at an elevation of approximately 5,490 meters, the Koshi River is a major transboundary river system that flows south into the Ganges Basin in India. The Koshi Basin spans a remarkable climatic gradient—from tropical lowlands in the Terai to alpine and arctic conditions in the high Himalayas—and is globally recognized as a biological hotspot. Its river channels, floodplains, deep pools, and eddy currents provide critical habitat for a wide range of threatened and migratory species, including the Ganges River Dolphin. The Koshi River supports ideal conditions for dolphins by allowing movement between lower and upper river stretches for foraging and breeding.

This initiative builds upon our previous work supported by the Rufford Small Grant (33200-1). The earlier project documented 22 dolphins (18 adults and 4 sub-adults) in the study area, highlighting the urgency of conservation action, particularly because most dolphin habitats extend beyond protected areas into human-dominated landscapes. While the previous study focused on dolphin distribution and threats, it did not include an assessment of prey availability, an essential component of dolphin survival given their reliance on fish as their primary food source. To address this gap, the proposed project will conduct a comprehensive prey species assessment, alongside updated monitoring of dolphin population status, ecology, key habitats, threats, and water quality. Together, these efforts will generate robust scientific data and establish critical baseline information to guide long-term conservation planning.

A key achievement of the previous project was the training of 15 local youths as “Citizen Scientists”, actively engaging them in dolphin monitoring and conservation. Building on this success, the current project aims to scale up community involvement by forming a dedicated group of River Guards drawn from river-dependent communities. Through targeted skill development, hands-on training, and provision of essential tools, River Guards will support regular dolphin monitoring, document illegal or harmful activities, and act as first responders to threats affecting dolphins and their habitats.

Recognizing that effective conservation extends beyond protected area boundaries, the project places strong emphasis on community stewardship and education. A series of outreach initiatives will be implemented, with a particular focus on schools and young audiences. These include quarterly wall magazines, inter-school art competitions, illustrated storybooks, and the development of educational materials such as posters, animated videos, documentaries, and presentations. Collectively, these efforts aim to raise awareness, foster local ownership, and empower communities and students to make informed and responsible decisions for dolphin conservation. Through integrated research, community engagement, and education, this project seeks to safeguard the future of the Ganges River Dolphin in the Koshi River and strengthen coexistence between people and river biodiversity.

This project is funded with the support of The Rufford Foundation and Idea Wild.