Bio-Sphere to be set up for Indus dolphin

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) will establish Indus Bio-Sphere reserve from Chashma Barrage to Sukkur Barrage for preserving the rare species of blind dolphin.

"Currently almost 1500 to 1800 population of the blind dolphin exist in Indus River, for which modern techniques are being utilised to protect them and raise their growth rate,” said PMNH Director Dr Muhammad Rafique. The project costing a total amount of Rs2.5 million was initiated at the start of the current fiscal year (2017-2018) by PMNH.

He stated that the one year project was at the last stage and soon they would submit the final findings and recommendations to the concerned authorities. “We will continue to monitor the rise or decline of the current population of blind dolphin in our waters and will establish further strategies for the protection of the species,” he said. There was a time when only 400-500 dolphins of this rare species were left so PMNH highlighted the issue and contacted Unesco for funding and technical assistance.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2018.