Major operation set to rescue 27 dolphins

KARACHI:

The wheels are in motion to rescue 27 endangered Indus blind dolphins who are stranded at 10 different water canals. According to the rescue plan, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, over 30 persons will take part in a month-long rescue operation.

The annual closure of the canals started from January 6 and the waterways will reopen from January 27.

The operation will be launched by the teams of the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) and its officials who are well aware of the challenges involved in safely rescuing the freshwater dolphins. However, they seem confident they will be able to accomplish the task.

"It's a huge and unprecedented operation," says SWD Chief Conservator Javed Ahmed Mahar. He adds they are all prepared to rescue all the dolphins without any loss.

Stranded dolphins

According to the data of Sukkur Indus Dolphin Sanctuary, at least 27 dolphins have been spotted at different locations.

It says that three dolphins have been spotted in Dadu Canal, three in Mirwah Canal, four in Khirthar Canal, six in Rohri Canal, three in Nara Canal, two in Putt Feeder, four in Ghotki Feeder, and two in the Abul Wah-Khairpur Feeder West.

Read 10 blind Indus dolphins spotted in canals

Mahar has not confirmed whether his department is facing financial issues, but sources within the SWD disclose that at least Rs3.5 million are required to safely conduct the operation.

Annual closure

During the annual closure, the engineers and other staff of the irrigation department remain engaged in maintenance work, including repairing of canal gates and desilting.

Provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro tells The Express Tribune that the annual closure of canals is necessary to keep the flow of the water intact and to maintain the water canals. "All support asked by any department, including SWD, will be provided.

Renovation or destruction?

It has been reported for the last 10 years that local fishermen are using poison to kill fish and other aquatic creatures, including freshwater turtles, at different spots.

"Not only fishermen, but local villagers also use the same dangerous methods," a senior official from the SWD says. "The water canals are full with lives but the annual water canal closure kills everything," he adds.

On the other hand, several freshwater turtles have been found dead during the closure period. "There is no mechanism to look after these turtles," reveals another official.

The wildlife conservators say that the winter season is hibernation time for turtles, but add that it is unfortunate that nobody thinks of the safety and rescue of these creatures.

Mahar also confirms that dozens of turtles are found dead during the closure. He says that most of the officials of his department have been deployed at various locations to take care of turtles and dolphins.

Some of the senior officials allege that the fisheries department, whose primary job is to keep local mafias away from poisoning the fish, remain inactive during the water canal closure season.

Several attempts have been made to contact Sindh Fisheries Minister Abdul Bari Pitafi, but he has been unable to comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2022.