Introduction The Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) is a global priority, endangered subspecies of freshwater cetacean endemic to the Indus River System in Pakistan (Rice, 1998; Smith and Braulik, 2008). The Indus River Dolphin is the second most endangered obligate freshwater dolphin population, falling only after the ‘functionally extinct’ Yangtze River Dolphin. The demise of the Yangtze River Dolphin is a tragic reminder of the river dolphin’s sensitivity to anthropogenic activities occurring in and around its habitat, and the need for its formal protection and conservation on a national level (Smith and Braulik, 2008). The South Asian River Dolphins, Family Platanista, were irst described in 1801 by Lebeck. The Indus and Ganges River Dolphins were regarded as a single species until 1970. Further studies were conducted based on differences in skull structure, vertebrae and lipid composition and hence scientists declared the two populations as separate species in early 1970’s (Pilleri et al., 1982). In 1998, the validity of the earlier studies was questioned and the classiication reverted to the pre-1970 consensus of a single species containing two subspecies until the taxonomy could be resolved using modern techniques such as molecular sequencing. Hence, presently, there are two subspecies recognised in the genus Platanista; Platanista gangetica minor (the Indus River Dolphin) and Platanista gangetica gangetica (the Ganges River Dolphin) (Kasuya, 1972) The Indus River Dolphin is characterised by a long beak, rounded belly, stocky body, very small dorsal in and large lippers. Although its eye has not developed a lens (this subspecies is also referred to as the “blind dolphin”), the dolphin still uses its eyes to differentiate between light and dark. It relies on echolocation to ind ish, shrimp, and other prey in, or near, the bottom mud (Smith and Braulik, 2008). The Indus River Dolphin swims on its side, at times enabling it to move in water as shallow as 30 cm. As it swims on its side, it trails a lipper along the bottom of the river. After 30 to 60 seconds or more, it swims to the surface, rotates upright to take in air, and then rotates 90 degrees again as it swims back to the bottom. This unique side swimming behaviour is not consistently seen in any other dolphin, except the Ganges River Dolphin. Before the dolphin habitat became permanently fragmented, dolphins migrated upstream into the smaller tributaries during the monsoon rains and migrated downstream to the main channels in the dry season (Bhaagat, 1999). The Indus River Dolphin weighs 70-110kg (155-245lbs). The maximum size is approximately 2.5m (8.2ft), with males slightly smaller than females (Kasuya, 1972). The current distribution range of the Indus River Dolphin comprises of 1500km from Jinnah Barrage to Kotri Barrage. The largest population consisting of about 1200 individuals exists only in about 200km of the Indus River in Sindh Province, making the existing population extremely vulnerable to risks such as disease outbreak, water pollution and inbreeding depression. The habitat of Indus River Dolpin is reduced to one ifth of its historical range (Reeves et al., 1991) and this remaining habitat is degraded primarily due to shortage of water caused by its diversion to meet growing agricultural needs in a semi arid country. This also reduces the low in the river, thus concentrating pollutants and increasing the chances that they will accumulate in the dolphins blubber. The population of the Indus River Dolphin is divided in sub-populations because of the six barrages constructed on the River Indus. Canal stranding, contamination due to industrial waste and agrochemicals, unsustainable ishing and net entanglements also contribute to the species endangerment. Dolphins are often caught in ishing nets accidently. In the past these animals were targeted and harpooned by local isherman for bait, medicine, and meat and oil for consumption (Anderson, 1879; Pilleri, 1972; Bhatti & Pilleri, 1982). WWF – Pakistan has been working with Punjab, KP and Sindh Wildlife Departments in collaboration with communities to conserve the species. WWF – Pakistan especially worked on Indus River Dolphin Conservation Project and the Pakistan Wetlands Programme to help conserve the endangered species in its entire range. This work focused on the root causes of biodiversity loss, speciically linking the protection of the Indus River Dolphin with measures in the agricultural and isheries sectors. The purposes of these projects and programmes was to work in close coordination with key stakeholders and local communities particularly those living along the main river. Material and Methods Study Area The Indus River is one of the world’s largest rivers, extending from the Himalayas to the Arabian Sea. In its upper reaches, the river ABSTRACT The Indus River dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) is one of the world’s most threatened cetaceans. It is endemic to the Indus River System in Pakistan. Its population is fragmented into ive sub-populations due to six irrigation barrages on the Indus River. The largest sub-population of this subspecies is found between Guddu and Sukkur barrages, legally designated as the Indus Dolphin Reserve. The habitat of this subspecies is reduced to one ifth of its historic distribution range. The main threats to the Indus Dolphin are illegal ishing, water pollution and stranding in irrigation canals. There is also a potential risk of inbreeding due to the conined population in the Indus Dolphin Reserve. Escalating illegal ishing activities in Sindh Province are the consequences of revised isheries legislation, which subsequently increased dolphin mortality in its high density areas. Illegal ishing practices include overnight netting across the river and use of poisonous pesticides to maximise ish catches, and both of these activities have increased dolphin bycatch in Sindh Province. Conservation of Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) in the Indus River system, Pakistan: an overview Umer Waqas 1 , Muhammad Imran Malik 2 , Liaquat Ali Khokhar 2 1 WWF - Pakistan, Indus River Dolphin Conservation Centre, Lab-e-Mehran, Sukkur, Pakistan 2 WWF - Pakistan, House No. B-120, Street No.4, Akhwat Nagar, Airport Road, Sukkur, Pakistan Corresponding author: Umer Waqas (Email: umerwaqas@hotmail.com) KEYWORDS Indus River Dolphin Endangered Mortality Illegal ishing practices By catch Fragmentation Sub-population Indus Dolphin Reserve 82 Rec. Zool. Surv. Pakistan 21: 82-85 (2012)