Jalchar is a unique, user-friendly app designed to engage India's coastal fishing communities in conservation efforts by crowdsourcing data on marine megafauna sightings. This initiative, jointly developed by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and The Mangrove Foundation, aims to gather vital information on species such as whales, dolphins, turtles, porpoises, sharks, and pelagic birds. By using the app, fishermen and coastal inhabitants play a crucial role in preserving India’s marine biodiversity.

Why Jalchar?

India's coastal waters are home to a wide variety of marine megafauna that are vital to the health of ocean ecosystems. However, many of these species are under threat due to climate change, habitat loss, and other human activities. Reliable data on their distribution and population is scarce, making it difficult to effectively protect them. Jalchar provides a solution by enabling fishermen and others to report real-time sightings of these species, thereby contributing to conservation research.

The data collected through Jalchar will be used by conservation researchers to monitor population trends, track migration patterns, and identify critical habitats. This information is essential for developing strategies to protect marine species and to inform conservation policies at a regional and national level. The data may also be shared with rescue teams for marine animals in distress and with the forest department for conservation actions.

Who Can Use Jalchar?

Jalchar is designed with fishermen in mind, but anyone living along the coast, including recreational boaters, divers, and local communities, can use the app to report sightings. By contributing to this project, you are actively participating in the protection of India’s marine wildlife.

Conservation through Collaboration

This project underscores the importance of collaboration in conservation. By bringing together local communities, scientific organizations, and governmental bodies, Jalchar creates a platform where everyone can contribute to the protection of marine life. Each sighting reported helps to paint a clearer picture of the health of our oceans and aids in the global effort to preserve marine biodiversity.

Join Us in Protecting India’s Marine Megafauna

By downloading and using Jalchar, you become part of a broader conservation movement. Every sighting reported helps fill the gaps in our understanding of India’s marine ecosystems and contributes to safeguarding these species for future generations.

Download Jalchar today and help protect India’s rich marine life—one sighting at a time!