PESHAWAR
A historic GIS-based scientific census by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department has recorded a stable population of Indus Dolphins in D.I. Khan section of the mighty Indus River, reflecting success of the ongoing efforts for conservation for this rare aquatic species.
“The six days survey conducted from February 19 to 24, 2026 registered 135 number of Indus Dolphins in 154 kilometre stretch of Indus river from Chasma Barrage to Ramak Boundry”, disclosed Khan Malook, Deputy Conservator Wildlife D.I.Khan Division.
The survey was conducted by a team of nine experts under the supervision of Khan Malook and SDFO Malik Saqib, employing a systematic scientific methodology based on direct field observation.
The team was strategically deployed, with three observers positioned at the front and two at the rear to ensure comprehensive coverage. All observation points were accurately identified, geo-referenced, and recorded using GPS coordinates and GIS technology.
Sharing details of the survey, Khan Malook informed that on the first day 27 km area was covered, recording presence of 18 dolphins. On second day of survey, 26 km area covered and 18 dolphins were found.
On the third day, 23 dolphins were recorded across a 28 km area. This was followed by 30 dolphins observed in a 27 km area on the fourth day, which accounted for approximately 22.3% of the total population.
On the fifth day, around 22 dolphins were recorded after covering 26 km, while on the final day of the survey, 24 dolphins were observed over a 20 km stretch.
Locally known in Seraiki language as `Bholan’ with scientific identity as `Platanista minor’, around 99 percent of Indus Dolphin is found in Pakistan exclusively within the Indus River basin.
The stretch of Indus River between Guddu and Sukkur Barrages is of international importance due to its hosting of the largest population of the endangered fish.
Apart from Pakistan, a very small population of the Indus River dolphin is also found in India’s Beas River, where a 2025 survey recorded only three fish.
Khan Malook informed that WWF-Pakistan conducted surveys of the Indus River dolphin in 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2017.
The results showed a steady increase in population, with approximately 1,200 dolphins recorded in 2001, rising to 1,550 in 2006, 1,665 in 2011, and 1,987 in 2017, respectively.
The Indus river dolphin was once found throughout a long stretch of about 3,400 kilometres of the Indus River.
However, over time, especially after 1870, its habitat has drastically declined. Today, it has been reduced by nearly 80%, leaving only about 680 kilometres of suitable river habitat, mostly within Pakistan.
“The scientific census on one side found better results of conservation but on the other side also brought into light several threats posed to Indus Dolphin survival,” Khan Malook shared.
The survey team, he continued, found fixed gillnets at various sites along the river, which pose a serious threat of dolphins becoming trapped in the nets. In case of trapping into a net, the dolphin fish drowns in water or become badly injured.
Pollution of Indus river due to industrial waste, domestic waste water and chemical mixing is affecting the health of dolphin fish.
Similarly, increasing boat noise in the Indus river can interfere with the dolphin’s eco-location ability, which it uses to navigate, hunt and protect its fry (baby fish).
“Due to climate change, variations in river flow and temperature occur. Low water levels and flooding both negatively affect the dolphins’ feeding patterns and habitat,” Malook observed.
Fish sometimes enter irrigation canals after being drifted by swift currents where they become trapped and face a serious threat to their survival.
Khan Malook said Wildlife department and organizations working for conservation are jointly working for protection of rare Indus Dolphin fish.
He suggested for declaring river stretch from Chasma Barrage to Sukkur Barrage as Biodiversity Protected Area which can serve as very important step in conservation of Dolphin fish by giving constitutional protection to this areas of river indus.
He also suggested establishing rescue centers at different sites for injured and ill dolphin fish so that effective measures could be taken in case of emergency.
Khan Malook said installation of pinger device on net can protect dolphin from coming in proximity of net and protect them from being trapped.
Involvement of local people including fishermen, people living on the embankment of river is of vital importance for protection of dolphin fish.
Terming conservation of rare fish as national responsibility, Khan Malook remarked that dolphin is far more than just a river creature, it serves as a living indicator of the ancient Indus River’s ecological health and stands as a powerful symbol of our culture, water and land.
