Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science
October 2012 Vol. 1(8), pp 216-222
Copyright © 2012 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Distribution of Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) in Dera Ismail Khan range Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

*Zia Ur Rahman Awan and Abdul Haleem Shah

Department of Biological Sciences, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author Email: ziabiotech78@yahoo.com;  

Tel. +92 333 9731178; +92 966 750273

Accepted 17 September, 2012

Abstract

To assess the status of the Indus River dolphin, Platanista gangetica minor, and to analyze the threats to their lives, a survey extending upto 103.5 km was conducted  in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) of Pakistan in March 2012. It was conducted in the Indus River and its tributaries. The sum of best group size estimates produced an abundance estimate of 35 Dolphins. From Miran to Ramak in the Indus River approximately 48.57% of the dolphin population occurred in 27 km of river length, 0.33% of the dolphin population occurred in 46 km of river length from Dera Ismail Khan Bridge to Miran in the Indus River and 0.1% of the dolphin population occurred in 30.5 km of river length from Saggu to D.I. Khan Bridge. The density of dolphins was highest between Miran and Ramak in the Indus River. Increase in dolphin abundance was observed in a downstream direction. Threats to dolphins include too much vessel traffic, disturbance by the crane and duck hunters, high levels of anthropogenic threat and no effective measures for their conservation. River dolphins are particularly vulnerable to the activities of humans because of their restricted habitat. Threats vary geographically in their importance, but generally include accidental killing during fishing operations, habitat loss and population fragmentation from water development. Deliberate killing for dolphin products also threatens the animals. Recommendations are given for conservation.

Keywords: Distribution, Indus River dolphin, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Platanista, Threats.