Indus river dolphin as Punjab’s state aquatic animal

The Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor), an endangered freshwater species found in the rivers of northwestern India and Pakistan, has been officially declared the State Aquatic Animal of Punjab. This designation symbolises the state’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered aquatic species native to its river ecosystems, particularly the Beas River.

Background and Context

The Indus River Dolphin is one of the world’s rarest mammalian species and a unique inhabitant of the Indus River system, historically distributed across the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Jhelum rivers. Over the years, however, its range drastically declined due to habitat fragmentation, pollution, dam construction, and excessive water extraction for agriculture.
By the early 21st century, the species had disappeared from most of its historical range in India, surviving only in a 180-kilometre stretch of the Beas River in Punjab. Recognising its ecological importance and critically low population, the Government of Punjab officially declared the Indus River Dolphin as the State Aquatic Animal in 2019.
This step was part of a broader environmental initiative under the Punjab Biodiversity Board (PBB) and the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, aimed at promoting awareness and protecting the species’ remaining natural habitat.

Biological Description and Characteristics

The Indus River Dolphin is a blind, freshwater cetacean uniquely adapted to life in murky river waters. It relies on echolocation—a sonar-like biological mechanism—to navigate and hunt for prey.
Key characteristics include:

• Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica minor
• Common Name: Indus River Dolphin
• Family: Platanistidae
• Average Length: 2 to 2.5 metres
• Weight: Approximately 70–90 kilograms
• Colour: Light grey to brownish, with a long beak and a low triangular dorsal fin
• Diet: Mainly small fish, prawns, and other aquatic organisms
• Lifespan: Estimated 20 to 30 years

Unlike marine dolphins, the Indus Dolphin has poor eyesight due to the turbidity of river waters and depends almost entirely on sound for movement and communication.

Habitat and Distribution

Historically, the Indus Dolphin was found throughout the Indus River and its tributaries, including the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Jhelum. However, the species’ range has contracted significantly due to construction of barrages and irrigation canals, which fragmented its habitat into isolated pockets.
Today, in India, the dolphin is confined to a small, protected segment of the Beas River, particularly near the Harike Wildlife Sanctuary and upstream areas of Kapurthala and Tarn Taran districts. The remainder of its population survives in the Indus River system in Pakistan, particularly between the Guddu and Sukkur barrages.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Indus River Dolphin as an Endangered Species on the Red List. It is also listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, granting it the highest level of legal protection in India.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India, in collaboration with the Punjab Government, has been instrumental in research, monitoring, and community awareness efforts related to the dolphin’s conservation.

Significance of State Aquatic Animal Designation

The declaration of the Indus River Dolphin as Punjab’s State Aquatic Animal serves multiple purposes:

1. Symbolic Importance: Highlights Punjab’s recognition of aquatic biodiversity as integral to the state’s ecological identity.
2. Conservation Priority: Elevates the species’ status, ensuring greater policy attention and funding for habitat protection.
3. Public Awareness: Encourages local communities, especially riparian populations, to participate in conservation efforts.
4. Tourism and Education: Promotes eco-tourism and nature education linked to the Beas River and its wildlife heritage.

Conservation Initiatives in Punjab

Following the designation, several initiatives have been launched to protect and restore the dolphin’s habitat in the Beas River:

1. Beas Conservation Reserve:
   • In 2017, the Government of Punjab declared a 185-kilometre stretch of the Beas River as the Beas Conservation Reserve under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
   • The reserve safeguards aquatic biodiversity, including the Indus Dolphin, smooth-coated otters, gharials, and native fish species.
2. Collaborative Monitoring:
   • The Punjab Biodiversity Board, WWF-India, and the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation conduct joint dolphin population surveys and river monitoring using sonar mapping and visual observations.
3. Pollution Control and Flow Management:
   • Efforts are being made to regulate industrial effluents, ensure adequate river flow, and reduce agricultural runoff that threatens dolphin habitats.
4. Community Engagement:
   • Awareness programmes have been initiated among local villagers and fishermen to prevent accidental killings and to promote river-friendly practices.
   • Alternative livelihood programmes are being introduced to reduce dependence on unsustainable fishing practices.
5. Research and Habitat Restoration:
   • Studies on water quality, prey abundance, and river flow patterns help guide conservation planning.
   • Restoration of riverine vegetation and sandbank habitats is being undertaken to improve ecosystem health.

Population and Monitoring

Current population estimates indicate that less than 10 individuals of the Indus River Dolphin survive in the Beas River. Although small, this isolated population is showing signs of stabilisation due to strict protection and community involvement.
The dolphins are periodically sighted in stretches between Harike and Karmuwala, and their movements are monitored by conservation teams using GPS tracking and acoustic devices.

Threats to Survival

Despite ongoing efforts, the species continues to face significant threats:

• Habitat fragmentation due to dams and barrages restricting river flow.
• Pollution from agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents.
• Entanglement in fishing nets, leading to accidental mortality.
• Reduced prey availability due to overfishing and ecosystem imbalance.
• Low genetic diversity because of the small, isolated population.

Conservation agencies are working to mitigate these threats through stricter enforcement, controlled fishing zones, and improved river management practices.

Ecological Importance

The Indus River Dolphin is an indicator species for freshwater ecosystem health. Its presence reflects the overall vitality of the river system, as it requires clean, deep, and flowing water for survival. Protecting this species thus benefits the broader aquatic biodiversity and ensures the sustainability of riverine ecosystems that support agriculture, fisheries, and human livelihoods.

Significance for Punjab

By declaring the Indus River Dolphin as the State Aquatic Animal, Punjab has positioned itself as a leader in freshwater conservation in India. The move aligns with national conservation strategies and underscores the state’s resolve to integrate ecological preservation with sustainable development.