There has been a modest increase in the blind dolphin population of the Indus River, where the friendly sea mammal once thrived.
A survey by the World Wildlife Fund found that in 2001, the number of dolphins were 1,200. Currently, they total 2,000, a modest testament to concerted conservation efforts.
However, this success is tempered by the looming threats of climate change, human intervention and water scarcity that continue to jeopardize the survival of this enigmatic species.
Historically, the Indus dolphin roamed freely from the Hindu Kush and Himalayas to the Indus Delta. Today, their range has disminished drastically and is now confined to the stretch between Guddu and Sukkur Barrage.
Conservationists say that the construction of barrages, unfair water distribution and channeling of water into canals has fragmented their habitat and disrupted the delicate balance of the ecosystem. According to them, dolphins need a large amount of water with good flow.
The experts say that the Indus River’s reduced flow not only threatens dolphins but also impacts aquatic life, including essential organisms like earthworms, which are crucial for maintaining the food chain.