Gujarat makes splash as India's dolphin capital

AHMEDABAD: Footloose Gujaratis may flock to dolphin shows in Singapore and Thailand in awe but their own state coast is brimming with the adorable aquatic mammals. As per a recent Wildlife Institute of India (WII) study, out of 371 dolphins sighted across Indian coast during a year, 235 or a good 63% were spotted mainly along Okha and Pirotan coasts in Gujarat.
The robust sighting of dolphins has prompted the apex wildlife body to recommend that Gulf of Kutch be declared as important marine mammal area of India.
The study titled 'Recovery of Dugong and their habitat in India' covered Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat), Andaman and Nicobar islands, Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu) and Palk Bay where dungong and other marine mammals' population is reported to be concentrated.
Ironically, the report redflagged only seven dugongs or sea cows being spotted along the Gujarat coast out of which two were found dead. Experts say they estimate the number to be around 30.
In 2011, when the last dugong estimations was undertaken, only 17 sea cows could be sighted. Dugongs are termed vulnerable species as per International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Maximum 230-odd dugongs were spotted along Andaman Nicobar and Tamil Nadu coasts.
Prof K Sivakumar of the department of endangered species management, WII, said that the Gujarat coast has recorded the highest sighting of dolphins across India. "We have recommended to the government of India to declare Gulf of Kutch along Gujarat as an important marine mammal area of India. Tidal current here is low while population of fish which is staple food for dolphins is high. Due to this, this region serves excellent habitat for many mammals."
‘Dolphins have made Gujarat coast their home’
We found that many dolphins have also made Gujarat coast their home. After Gujarat, dolphins were also spotted in good numbers in Tamil Nadu," Sivakumar added. While Gujarat recorded more numbers of common dolphin, TN recorded other species like bottle noose dolphin, spinner dolphin, long-beaked common dolphin, Indian Ocean humped back dolphin among others. State minister for forest and environment Ganpat Vasava said robust dolphin population is thanks to state's conservation efforts. "State cannot take up dolphin tourism specifically as it is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act. We are, however, initiating underwater tourism projects to showcase state's marine life," said Vasava. Other mammal species like Baleen Whale, Bryde Whale, Blue Whale were also spotted along Gujarat.