How India’s first dolphin rescue ambulance is helping save dolphins in Uttar Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised India’s first dedicated dolphin rescue ambulance under the Namami Gange programme, highlighting its role in saving a stranded Gangetic dolphin in Uttar Pradesh.

The prime minister described the initiative as an important step towards protecting the biodiversity of the Ganga river.

Speaking during the 134th episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, Modi referred to a recent rescue operation in which a Gangetic dolphin trapped in a canal was rescued, treated and released back into the Rapti river.

“India’s first Ganga dolphin rescue ambulance played a huge role in this. This incident took place in Uttar Pradesh. A Gangetic dolphin was trapped in a canal there.

“At that time, this ambulance, built under the Namami Gange Abhiyan, reached there as a ray of hope. It was then carefully pulled out. It was examined, it was treated and then it was safely released into the Rapti river. In a way, a life returned home,” he said.

What is the dolphin rescue ambulance?

The dolphin rescue ambulance is India’s first dedicated facility designed specifically for rescuing and transporting stranded or injured Ganga dolphins.

According to Modi, the ambulance has been developed as a mobile hospital to ensure the aquatic mammal remains safe during rescue operations.

“It has oxygen facilities, special stretchers, and rescue equipment. This means that if a dolphin gets injured, gets stuck in a canal, or gets cut off from the river, it can be helped immediately,” he said.

Why is it important?

The prime minister said conserving the Gangetic dolphin is closely linked to protecting the wider ecosystem of the Ganga river.

“Friends, when we save the Gangetic dolphin, we don’t just save a species; we save the biodiversity of the Ganga. We save the river’s entire life system and preserve a priceless natural heritage for our future generations,” he said.

How many dolphins has it helped so far?

India’s first dolphin rescue ambulance, launched early this year under the Namami Gange Mission, has helped rescue and release eight Ganga dolphins so far, according to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

Last month, while sharing details of its latest rescue operation in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district, the NMCG said an adult male Ganga dolphin had been found trapped in a canal after being cut off from the river and stranded in shallow water.

“The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and TSA (Turtle Survival Alliance) India team arrived at the scene. After 13 hours of relentless effort, the dolphin was safely rescued, given a medical check-up, and released back into the Rapti River,” the mission had said.

Describing the operation as another success story for the specialised rescue facility, the NMCG said the dolphin ambulance has become a key intervention mechanism for conserving the endangered Ganga river dolphin.

“This Dolphin Ambulance is not just a vehicle. It is India’s first such facility, launched in January 2026, and since then, eight Ganga dolphins have been rescued and released back into the river,” the post said.

India’s national aquatic animal

The Ganga dolphin is India’s national aquatic animal and is found mainly in the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system.

According to the NMCG, the estimated population of the species currently stands at around 6,324.

The recent rescue in Uttar Pradesh has brought renewed attention to efforts aimed at protecting the species, with the dolphin rescue ambulance emerging as a key part of those conservation measures.