Punjab Declares Indus Dolphin Habitat as Wildlife Sanctuary

The Punjab government has declared a stretch of the Indus River as the “Punjnad Indus River Dolphin Wildlife Sanctuary,” marking a significant step towards conserving the endangered Indus River dolphin. This move was welcomed by conservationists, including the World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan), which described it as a major milestone for dolphin conservation and protection of the Indus River ecosystem.

The river stretch from Jambar-Bait Landi Patafi to Guddu Barrage has been designated under the Punjab Protected Areas Act 2020. The initiative aims to protect the natural habitat of the Indus River dolphin and other aquatic species, promoting biodiversity conservation. WWF-Pakistan acknowledged the efforts of Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb in facilitating this initiative.

South Punjab Wildlife Ranger Additional Chief Sheikh Muhammad Zahid stated that the Punjnad-Guddu stretch is the most important habitat for the Indus River dolphin in Punjab, supporting the highest recorded population of the species in the province. He emphasized that the river section provides suitable conditions for feeding, breeding, and movement of the dolphins, making legal protection a conservation priority.

The WWF-Pakistan noted that the Indus River remains the last major natural habitat of one of the world’s rarest freshwater dolphin species, with around 2,000 dolphins currently surviving in the wild. Environmental experts say changes in river flows, pollution, illegal hunting, and increasing human activities have intensified threats to the dolphin’s habitat. However, they believe that establishing this new wildlife sanctuary will strengthen ongoing conservation efforts and contribute to the long-term survival of the species.