Brahmaputra river system (BRS) is one of the major habitats of the Endangered Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica). According to 2008 survey, there are only about 300 individuals of the species in this river system out of global estimate of 2000 individuals. Since majority (92%) of the species distribution in Brahmaputra river system is outside protected areas, therefore, local community participation is very crucial for the long term conservation of the species in BRS. As an attempt to that Aaranyak established and successfully trialled its community-based Dolphin Conservation Network (DCN) in 2008-12 in 30 most prioritized dolphin habitats (called as 30 DCN sites) across the BRS, which resulted into the reduction of dolphin mortality by approximately 40% over last 5 years in these 30 sites. This successful model of community involvement will be further strengthened by this project.

As a result of this project, we are targeting to (a) increased community support and participation to the river dolphins and river ecosystem conservation, (b) empowering community to scientifically monitor dolphins as well as wider river ecosystem and undertake actions for prevent/reduce any observed threats by the community itself, (c) development of community conserved dolphin area, which can be replicated to the other priority dolphin sites, (d) increased fishermen knowledge on sustainable fishing practices, illegal fishing practices and importance of River Dolphin in maintaining a healthy river ecosystem, (e) decrease in the use of dolphin oil as fish bait through alternate oil bait provide to the Bin community fishermen and thus resulting into less dolphin mortality for its oil, (f) involvement of the fishery management authority in dolphin and river ecosystem conservation in key dolphin habitats, which will lead to sustainability of food sources for the dolphins and other aquatic animals as well as the livelihood of fishermen in 30 DCN sites.