WWF-Pakistan celebrated 25 years of dedicated efforts to conserve the Indus River Dolphin, Pakistan’s endemic and iconic freshwater species, at a special event held in Islamabad. The milestone not only reflects a remarkable conservation success—nearly doubling the dolphin population to an estimated 2,000 individuals—but also underscoring the need to address ongoing threats to ensure the species’ long-term survival.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Climate Change Senator Musadik Malik emphasized on the continued need for coordinated efforts to protect dolphins to sustain this conservation success. He stated “The Indus River Dolphin is not only a symbol of Pakistan’s natural heritage but also a testament to what coordinated conservation action can achieve. WWF-Pakistan and other key partners have demonstrated remarkable leadership over the past 25 years.” He added that Pakistan is a signatory for the Global Declaration of River Dolphins (2023), the world’s first political commitment dedicated entirely to river dolphin conservation, and that the Government of Pakistan is committed to working with all stakeholders to secure a thriving future for the Indus river dolphin.

Over the past 25 years, WWF-Pakistan’s conservation initiatives have evolved from early population assessments which helped establish a scientific baseline to understand the species decline and map its distribution to community outreach, which has helped remove harmful practices and strengthened stewardship.  WWF has also worked alongside partners to develop specialized rescue units to ensure dolphins trapped in irrigation canals are safely released back into the river. At the same time, satellite tracking and improved monitoring systems have deepened understanding of dolphin movement patterns, habitat use, the impacts of river fragmentation, etc. 

These efforts—carried out in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change; the provincial wildlife and fisheries departments of Punjab, Sindh and KP; irrigation departments, environmental protection agencies, and academia; and made possible through the generous support of international donors such as UK International Development and the Darwin Initiative, as well as private-sector partners including Engro Foundation and Bank Alfalah—have helped transform the Indus River Dolphin from a rapidly declining, highly threatened species into a nationally recognized conservation success story.

Speaking at the event, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan, highlighted that this sustained recovery is a testament to coordinated efforts between WWF, government departments, partners, and riverine communities. “Our partners and communities have played a critical role in strengthening habitat protection and improving rescue and monitoring operations”, he added.

To mark this remarkable journey, WWF-Pakistan recently convened a two-day consultative workshop on 3–4 December, bringing together government departments, researchers, and conservation partners to develop a new Indus River Dolphin Conservation Action Plan. The workshop reviewed progress since the 2011 National Action Plan, assessed current population trends, analyzed ongoing threats, and identified priority actions for the next five years—reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to long-term river dolphin conservation.