An extraordinary distinction has been granted to Indus River Dolphin which is one of the rarest mammals in the world, scientifically known
as Platianisa Minor having Endangered status means has high risk of extinction
by WWF. This mammal found in both countries i.e. India and Pakistan. In India they are found in Beas river flowing in
Punjab state of India and in Pakistan, are found in main Indus river and between some barrages. Because
of pollution of Sutlej river water, they have no existence in it.In February month of 2019, Punjab state wildlife board, India presided over by CM was taken a special decision about rarest Indus Water River Dolphin and has been declared as the Punjab’s state Aquatic Animal. Also decided to take protective measures to safe this endangered mammal from disappearing in Punjab, India and ensure more water flow into Beas river to reduce the risk to their habitat. To mark the 550th anniversary of 1st Sikh Guru, Kanjli wetland ( a man made wetland, situated in Kapurthala district of Punjab, India) and sacred Kali Ben river (in which a dip was taken by 1st Sikh Guru and got enlightenment) has been declared as reserve of wildlife conservation.According to the figures of WWF, there are only 1816 dolphins mostly found in Indus River, Pakistan. Pakistan has taken various steps already to protect and conserve this species.
You will be surprised to know that these dolphins have blind eyes, incapable of making images on retina so generally these are known as blind mammals. For navigation and communication purposes they depend upon the Echolocation technique and the life span of these species about 26-28 years at least. Echolocation technique is similar to SONAR, in which a sound is produced by animal itself and received the returned sound by same animal after striking from any object in the path to move forward. Bats are the common example which are used to find the path in darkness
The presence of dolphins in the river water mainly indicated that the water of river is not polluted, healthier and fresh upto the level of their livelihood. In May 2018, Punjab Forest Department and WWF-India conducted first census and has estimated to about 5 to 11 dolphins in 185 Km long stretch of Beas that pass through Punjab, India. So this is the historical decision taken by Punjab government to protect these endangered key species for the conservation of Beas eco-system and these type of decisions may be ensured the increase in count in future.
After the state animal BlackBuck, state Bird Northern Goshawk, Indus river dolphin is the newly state’s Aquatic animal. Indus river dolphin is also the National mammal of Pakistan. The subspecies of this is Gange river Dolphin known as the National Aquatic animal of India, mostly found in Gange river, India and the official animal of Guwahati city of Assam,India.
Construction of dams and barrages, heavily contamination of River water by untreated waste and drainage of polluted water into river, washing of clothes and utensils in river water, accidental capture in fishing nets, hunting etc. are the main reasons behind the decline of count of this species. Construction work causes forced migration of dolphins and degradation of their habitat.
Spread general Awareness and education among people, reducing the pollution by stopping the drainage of toxic chemical water into the river, maintain proper water level in the river for their livelihood etc may helpful in future to increase the count of these species..
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