Description

A study was aimed to determine the threats and protection of a beauty of Indus River, Indus River dolphin Platanista minor Owen, throughout its range in N-WFP. A survey was conducted in an area of 103.5 km including Indus and its tributaries in March 2007. The best group size was estimated an abundance of 54 dolphins. Approximately 53.7% (1.07 dolphin/km) of its population occurred in 27 km from Miran onward to Ramak; however, 38.9% (0.46 dolphin/km) in 46 km from D.I.Khan Bridge to Miran, moreover, 7.4% (0.13 dolphin/km) in 30.5 km from Saggu, near Meetapur-village to D.I.Khan Bridge in the Indus. The highest density was found between Miran and Ramk. A pronounced increase in dolphin encounter rate and abundance were observed in a downstream-direction. Threats to dolphins include too much vessel-traffic, duck-hunters, and no effective-conservation. Dolphins are vulnerable to the high levels of anthropogenic activities because of their restricted habitat. Threats vary geographically in their importance, but generally include accidental killing during fishing- operations, habitat-loss and population- fragmentation from water development.