PM Modi praises India's first dolphin rescue ambulance; here's all you need to know about it

Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Pexels

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the 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 effort as a step towards protecting the biodiversity of the Ganga river.

During the 134th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, Modi referred to the recent rescue operation in which a Gangetic dolphin trapped in a canal was safely 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.

PM Modi said the dolphin rescue ambulance is very special, and has been designed like a mobile hospital for keeping the aquatic mammal safe during the rescue efforts.

"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.

Emphasising the ecological significance of the species, the prime minister said conserving the Gangetic dolphin goes beyond protecting a single animal.

"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.

Dolphin rescue by India's first dedicated ambulance

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, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) said last month while sharing details of its latest rescue operation in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district.

In a post on X, the NMCG had said an adult male Ganga dolphin was found trapped in a canal in Gonda, 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 emerged as a crucial 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.

The Ganga dolphin, India's national aquatic animal, is found mainly in the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system. The NMCG said the estimated population of the species currently stands at around 6,324.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.