Protecting the Indus River Dolphin: A new dimension of Pakistan–China friendship

The Indus River Dolphin is not merely a rare aquatic animal. It is a living symbol of Pakistan's natural heritage, the ecological importance of the Indus River and the centuries-old relationship between humanity and one of the world's great river systems. The launch of the Indus Dolphin Rescue and Mobile Awareness Ambulance, supported by telecom operator Zong in partnership with WWF-Pakistan, therefore represents much more than a corporate social responsibility project. It is a practical conservation intervention and a distinctive new dimension of cooperation between Pakistan and China.

The initiative was formally inaugurated at the WWF-Pakistan office in Islamabad. Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik, Zong Chairman and CEO Huo Junli, WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan and Chinese embassy representative Yang Guangyuan attended the ceremony, along with senior representatives of the participating organizations. Their presence demonstrated that wildlife conservation requires cooperation among governments, businesses, environmental organizations and local communities.

Known locally as the bhulan, the Indus River Dolphin is found primarily in Pakistan's Indus River system. It is functionally blind, but blindness should not be understood as a weakness. The dolphin has adapted remarkably to the Indus River's naturally muddy and sediment-rich waters. It uses highly developed echolocation—repeated sound signals and returning echoes—to navigate, identify objects and locate fish. Its unusual habit of swimming on its side also helps it move through shallow river channels. These adaptations make it one of the most scientifically distinctive freshwater mammals in the world.

The species is listed as endangered and faces several interconnected threats. Dams and barrages have divided its natural habitat into isolated sections, while the diversion of water for irrigation has reduced freshwater flows in some areas. Dolphins may accidentally enter irrigation canals, where falling water levels can leave them stranded. Pollution, fishing-net entanglement, habitat degradation and declining fish stocks create additional pressures. WWF reports that the species is now confined to only a fraction of its former natural range.

Protecting the dolphin is also essential for protecting the Indus River itself. River dolphins are top predators and important indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. A stable dolphin population generally suggests that a river still supports adequate water flows, fish populations and ecological diversity. Conversely, a decline in dolphins can warn of pollution, overfishing or wider deterioration in water quality. Protecting the dolphin consequently benefits fish, birds, riverbank vegetation, agricultural communities and millions of people whose livelihoods depend directly or indirectly on the Indus.

Pakistan's conservation experience provides reasons for cautious optimism. WWF-Pakistan's first major survey in 2001 recorded approximately 1,200 Indus River dolphins. Following years of cooperation involving WWF-Pakistan, the Sindh and Punjab wildlife departments, researchers, fishing communities and other partners, the estimated population has increased to around 2,000. Since the dolphin rescue program began in 1992, more than 200 stranded dolphins have reportedly been rescued and released into the river. These achievements show that determined and continuous action can help an endangered species recover.

However, previous progress must not produce complacency. A population of approximately 2,000 remains highly vulnerable, particularly when divided by barrages and exposed to climate-related changes in river flows. More frequent heatwaves, droughts, irregular rainfall and extreme flooding can alter freshwater habitats and increase pressure on aquatic species. As Dr. Musadik Malik observed, climate change is affecting Pakistan's rivers, wildlife and natural heritage, making effective and coordinated action increasingly necessary.

The new dolphin ambulance can address an important operational weakness in conservation: the time required to reach a stranded or injured animal. When dolphins enter irrigation canals or become trapped in unsuitable sections of water, a delayed response can be fatal. A dedicated mobile unit will enable trained teams to transport rescue equipment, monitor emergencies and support the safe relocation of stranded dolphins to the main river.

The unit will focus particularly on the stretch between the Guddu and Sukkur barrages in Sindh, which supports the world's largest remaining concentration of Indus River dolphins. The program also aims to engage more than 1,500 fisherfolk and members of riverine communities as frontline conservation partners and conduct 50 awareness sessions in remote settlements. This community component is essential because local fishers, boat operators and residents are often the first people to observe a stranded dolphin, illegal fishing activity or a sudden change in river conditions.

Zong's role gives the project additional significance. Zong, formally China Mobile Pakistan, is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation. Since entering Pakistan in 2007, the company has become an important participant in the country's telecommunications and digital-development landscape. By supporting the dolphin rescue ambulance, Zong is extending its contribution beyond connectivity and technology into biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.

This is an important example of how businesses can move beyond conventional philanthropy. Instead of limiting assistance to a short-term donation or publicity campaign, the project provides an operational asset with measurable functions: rescue, monitoring, awareness, community mobilization and safe translocation. Its success can be assessed through response times, rescue outcomes, community participation and improvements in ecological data.

The initiative also adds a unique environmental dimension to Pakistan–China relations. Cooperation between the two countries already covers infrastructure, trade, energy, telecommunications, education, science, technology and cultural exchange. Wildlife protection, however, represents a particularly humane and future-oriented form of collaboration. It demonstrates that friendship between states is not limited to roads, power projects or commercial investment. It can also protect rivers, ecosystems and endangered species that cannot speak or advocate for themselves.

Pakistan has good reason to express sincere appreciation to Zong and WWF-Pakistan for turning environmental responsibility into practical action. The participation of the Chinese embassy further reflects the supportive spirit behind the initiative. The people and Government of Pakistan also value the wider goodwill of the Chinese people and government, whose longstanding friendship has created opportunities for cooperation in both traditional and emerging fields.

Nevertheless, the ambulance should be regarded as the beginning of a broader mission rather than its conclusion. Pakistan still requires stronger controls on river pollution, more effective regulation of harmful fishing practices, improved management of environmental flows, and scientific monitoring and rapid-response networks across the dolphin's entire habitat. Universities and technology companies can contribute through acoustic monitoring, satellite tracking, water-quality sensors, geographical information systems, and mobile reporting platforms.

The survival of the Indus River Dolphin is a test of Pakistan's ability to balance development with ecological responsibility. The partnership among Zong, WWF-Pakistan, government institutions, and local communities offers a credible model for achieving that balance. By protecting this rare species, Pakistan and China are not only preserving an exceptional animal; they are protecting the health of the Indus River and demonstrating that international friendship can produce meaningful benefits for nature and future generations.

About the author: Zamir Ahmed Awan is a sinologist, former Pakistani diplomat and the founding chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance (GSRRA), based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He can be reached at awanzamir@yahoo.com.