Indus River Dolphin
- Context (DTE): India will soon get a clear picture of its Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) as a result of an 8,000-kilometre aquatic survey.
About Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor)
- Locally known as Bhulan, it is the world’s most endangered freshwater dolphin species.
- Distribution: Found only in the lower Indus River system in Pakistan and India. They favour areas with slow-moving, murky waters.
- In India, they are found only in a small section of the Beas River in Punjab. It is the state aquatic animal of Punjab.
- Physical description: It has a rounded body with a small triangular hump on its back, which is more pronounced in males.
- They have adapted to life in the muddy river and are functionally blind. They rely on echolocation to navigate, communicate and hunt prey, including prawns, catfish, and carp.
- Diet: Primarily consists of fish, though they also feed on small invertebrates like clams and shrimp.
- Threats: Habitat degradation, water pollution, entanglement in fishing nets as by-catch and human activities like dam construction.
- Conservation Status: IUCN: Endangered | WPA, 1972: Schedule I | CITES: Appendix I | CMS: Appendix II.
- Significance: They are a valuable indicator species indicating a thriving ecosystem with sufficient food and water.
