A WWF official says that a long-term strategy was required to conserve the freshwater sub-species of Gangetic dolphins
The first ever organised survey of the endangered Indus River Dolphin species in Beas River, Punjab, has revealed that an estimated five to eleven individuals are found along the 185kms-long Beas Conservation Reserve. The population estimation was carried out jointly by the Forest and Wildlife Department of Punjab government and World Wildlife Fund – India, between May 3 and May 6.
Indus River Dolphins are not found in abundance in India, as opposed to over 1,800 estimated to be found accros the border in Pakistan. But, WWF-India said that despite its small population, the presence of 5-11 individuals indicates no decline in their population. In fact, a young calf was also spotted during the survey which indicated that the population was large enough to be viable, WWF-India said.
The survey was led by Gill Braulik, a specialist in the field of Indus Dolphin conservation and member of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Cetacean specialist group. A direct count methodology was used to estimate the dolphin population and barring a 55km stretch of Beas, it was carried out using boats.
"The dolphin survey started from 52 headworks, Talwara on May 3 and ended at Harike Nooze point on May 6. However, the 55 kilometre of river downstream of 52 headworks was surveyed by road due to insufficient water in the River Beas while the remaining 130 kilometre was surveyed using motorboats," a WWF-India release said.
"We were a total of 12 surveyors in two boats and both boats moved at the same speed to prevent double counting," said Suresh Babu, Director-Rivers, Wetlands and Water Policy, WWF India. Kuldip Kumar, Chief Wildlife Warden Punjab, Mr Neeraj Gupta, Divisional Forest Officer and Gitanjali Kanwar, senior project officer, WWF-India, comprised of the team along with Babu. Kuldip Kumar could not be reached for a comment despite repeated attempts.
Babu added that a long-term strategy was required to conserve the freshwater sub-species of Gangetic dolphins. "First and foremost, a continuous minimum ecological flow in Beas is most important for dolphins. The prey base needs to be enhanced for their survival and we need to also engage the local community to conserve them," said Babu
The Beas Conservation Reserve is also home to otters and ghariyals that were reintroduced in Beas six decades after their extinction.
PRESERVATION
- A WWF official said that a long-term strategy was required to conserve the freshwater sub-species of Gangetic dolphins.
- The Beas Conservation Reserve is home to otters and ghariyals that were reintroduced six decades after their extinction.
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