KATHMANDU, JANUARY 16
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has developed a five-year Dolphin Conservation Action Plan in a bid to maintain viable population of river dolphins and conserve their habitat in the country.
Lack of robust information on the status and distribution of river dolphins coupled with low level of awareness among responsible agencies has been a major constraint in conservation of dolphins and other endangered species.
The objectives of the action plan (2021- 2025) are to enhance understanding and knowledge of conservation status, ecology and habitat dynamics of dolphins, protect and manage the dolphin population and their habitats, strengthen and extend participatory conservation programmes and enhance cooperation and coordination in conservation at the national and international levels.
Dolphin is listed in Schedule 1 of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1993 as protected species. They are largely confined to the main channels of Karnali, Narayani, and Koshi rivers. They are also found in the Mohana River of Kailali during the monsoon and have become extinct in the Mahakali River.
The national estimate of river dolphin population in Nepal varies seasonally. A study conducted in 2016 showed that there could be around 52 dolphins across Nepal. The dolphin exhibit preference for areas such as small islands, sand bars, river bends and convergent tributaries. In the monsoon season, they migrate to the tributaries and then return to larger river channels in the dry season.
According to the action plan, dolphins in Nepal are at risk of multiple stressors, mainly habitat fragmentation, changes in water quality and quantity, habitat modification, climate change, over-exploitation of resources, pollution and invasive species. Similarly, construction of embankments, dams and barrages, chemical discharges from households, industries, agriculture, mining and health sector, and deforestation pose threat to the survival of dolphins.
The action plan proposes to develop robust and reliable baseline information on population size and distribution of dolphins in Nepal; map potential, optimal and marginal habitat; study in habitat dynamics; regular monitoring of dolphin population at an interval of every five years; study the impact of dams and other development structures; modelling the potential impacts of climate change, assessment of the impact of pesticide and industrial waste on the dolphin and its habitat; and study of historical and potential river course changes, among others.
Similarly, the authorities will also work on reduction of deforestation, establish a mechanism for rescue of dolphins, regulate the collection of river products, promote tree plantation, monitor and regulate chemical discharge, raise awareness and promote sustainable fishing practices.
The DNPWC will play a lead role in the overall implementation of this action plan, while the Department of Forests will undertake other activities inside the protected areas, and the Department of Soil Conservation will be responsible for implementation of activities outside protected areas.
The total estimate cost for the implementation of this action plan is around Rs 146 million.
Dolphins usually prefer areas such as small islands, river bends, sand bars, convergent tributaries
A version of this article appears in the print on January 17, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
