Abstract
To evaluate the status, distribution and threats to Platanista minor (the Indus River dolphin), in its range in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a survey was undertaken in the month of March, 2019. The study comprised of main Indus River and its various channels. An abundance estimate of 43 dolphins was obtained from the aggregate of best group estimates. Around 51.2% dolphins population (0.81 dolphin/km) was found in 27 km of the river from Miran to Ramak, 39.5% dolphins population (0.37 dolphin/km) in 46 km of the river from the Bridge to Miran in the Indus River and 9.3% dolphin population (0.13 dolphin/km) was found in 30.5 km of river from Saggu to the Bridge. In the Indus River, the most noteworthy dolphin’s population was between the Miran and Ramak. An increment in dolphin experience rate and plenitude was seen a downstream way. Threats to dolphins are multifold - vessel movement, aggravation from the duck and crane hunters, large amounts of anthropogenic risks and no successful prevention. River dolphins are especially helpless against the exercises of people in their limited natural surroundings. The threats vary topographically in their significance but generally include coincidental murdering during fishing operations, territory misfortune and population discontinuity.
