Indus Dolphin Baseline Survey Report

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are thankful and gratefully acknowledge the support of Sindh Wildlife Department
generally and the conservator Mr. Hussain Bux Bhangat for his supports before and
during the initial survey and Mr. Saeed Akhtar Baloch for his personal interest,
guidance and support before and during the final survey. We would like to mention
here that all the field staff of Sindh Wildlife Department has made satisfactory
security, logistic and other arrangements. Beside the support during the surveys Mr.
Ghulam M. Giddani and Mir Akhtar Hussain Talpur has provided their valuable
cooperation during the survey. We would also like to thanks Mr. Jawed Ali Qureshi of
SUPARCO for his cooperation and development of satellite maps of Indus Dolphin
Game Reserve. We also grateful to Mr. Javed Ahmed Mehar (DFO-Sukkur) made
efforts to manage the tour guidance for riverine forest sighting and accommodation
during the survey.

Team Composition for Dolphin Survey
Dedication and grateful to all team members, their cooperation and efforts made
possible to accomplish this legend project.
Sr. No Name Designation
1 Dr. Najam Khurshid Team Leader/Eco-hydrologist
2 Dr. Wazir Ali Baloch Freshwater Biologist
3 Mr. Attaullah Pandarani Biodiversity Expert
4 Mr. Saddar-ud-Din Plants Ecologist
5 Mr. Ather Khan Coordinator/Environmentalist
6 Mr. Shahzad Naqvi Plant Taxonomist
7 Mr. Shameem Fakhri Zoologist
8 Mr. Saeedullah Jatoi Plankton/Fish Expert
9 Mr. Anb Lal Plankton/Fish Expert
10 Mr. Muhammad Saleem Botanist
11 Mr. Saeed Ahmed Geologist/Data Analyst
12 Mr. Ghulam M. Giddani Wildlife Expert
13 Mir Akhtar Hussain Talpur Dolphin Expert
14 Mr. Altaf Kumber Plankton/Fish Expert
15 Ms. Robina Aziz Sociologist

Supporting Staff
Sr. No Name Designation
1 Mr. Shahid ur Rahman I.T/GIS Expert
2 Mr. Araz Muhammad Graphic Designer

TABLE OF CONTENTS
GLOSSARY
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Objectives of the Study 1-3
1.2 Limitations of the study 1-3
1.3 Indus River 1-4
1.4 Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor or Platanista minor) 1-5
1.4.1 Status and Trends 1-7
1.5 Background 1-8
1.6 Physical Description 1-9
1.6.1 Facts about Indus River Dolphins 1-10
1.6.2 Description & Behavior 1-10
1.6.3 Feeding 1-11
1.6.4 Reproduction 1-11
1.6.5 Anatomy 1-11
2.0 STUDY AREAS

2.1 River Indus (Between Guddu – Sukkur Barrages 2-2
2.2 River Indus (Between Sukkur-Kotri Barrages) 2-2
2.2.1 Surveys Shedule 2-3
2.3 Climatic Conditions 2-3
2.3.1 Air Temperature 2-5
2.3.2 Rainfall 2-5
2.3.3 Wind Speed 2-6
2.3.4 Water flow Pattern 2-7
2.3.5 Average flow in Indus River 2-7
2.4 Indus River Geology 2-8
2.4.1 Lower Indus Basin 2-9
2.4.2 Lower Indus Basin (Guddu) 2-9
2.4.3 Lower Indus Basin (Sukkur) 2-13
2.4.4 Lower Indus Basin (Kotri) 2-15
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Reconnaissance survey 3-2
3.2 Dolphin Surveys 3-3
3.3 Mapping of Dolphin Reserve and Distribution Range 3-5
3.4 Indus Dolphin Reserve 3-5
i
4.0 DIVERSITY OF THE STUDY AREA
4.1 Fauna 4-2
4.1.1 Mammals 4-3
4.1.2 Reptiles and Amphibians 4-4
4.1.3 Avifauna 4-5
4.1.4 Icthyofauna 4-6
4.1.5 Invertebrates 4-6
4.2 Flora 4-7
4.2.1 Agriculture 4-7
4.2.2 Land preparation 4-8
4.2.3 Cultural practices 4-8
4.2.4 Natural Vegetation 4-8
4.2.5 Aquatic Flora 4-9
4.2.6 Marginal Flora 4-10
4.2.7 Associated Riverine Flora 4-11
4.2.8 Medicinal Plants 4-13
4.3 Planktons 4-14
4.3.1 Phytoplankton 4-15
4.3.2 Zooplankton 4-15
4.4 Material and Methods 4-17
4.4.1 Sampling area 4-17
4.4.2 Plankton Collection 4-17
4.4.3 Phytoplankton diversity 4-18
4.4.4 Zooplankton diversity (Qualitative) 4-19
4.4.5 Plankton diversity (Quantitative) 4-20
4.4.6 Fish diversity 4-21
4.5 Physico-Chemical Parameters of study areas 4-21
4.5.1 Environmental Analysis 4-21
4.5.2 General Study Characteristic 4-21
4.6 Materials and Methodology of Physico-Chemical Samples
Collection and Analysis 4-22
4.6.1 Material and Methods of Water Samples Collection 4-22
4.6.2 Location of Sampling Sites 4-22
4.6.3 Use of Instruments 4-22
4.6.4 Preparation of Sample Containers 4-23
4.6.5 Collection of Water Samples 4-23
4.6.6 Methodology of Water Quality Samples Analysis 4-24
4.6.7 Results and Discussion of Physico-Chemical Analysis 4-26
4.7 Microbiological Water Analysis Report 4-28
4.7.1 Methodology 4-29
4.7.2 Results and discussion 4-30
4.8 Environmental impacts 4-30
4.9 Social Survey 4-30
4.9.1 Local Consultations 4-30
4.9.3 Objectives 4-32
4.9.4 Result & Discussion of social survey 4-33
ii
5.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
5.1 Status 5-2
5.1.1 Indus River (Between Guddu – Sukkur Barrages) 5-2
5.1.2 River Indus (Between Sukkur– Kotri Barrages) 5-13
5.2 Data analysis 5-14
5.2.1 Results and Discussion on Population 5-15
5.3 Dolphin Population and Probability Estimation 5-18
5.3.2 Data Analysis 5-19
5.3.3 Statistical Calculations 5-19
5.4 Predicted Population Estimation Formula for Years 5-20
5.4.1 Predicted Mean Population 5-20
5.4.2 Predicted Corrected Population (Upper Limit) 5-20
5.4.3 Predicted Corrected Population (Lower Limit) 5-20
5.4.4 Results 5-22
5.4.5 Discussion 5-22
5.4.6 Conclusions 5-23
6.0 THREATS AND ISSUES IN DOLPHIN CONSERVATION

6.1 Habitat loss / Degradation 6-2
6.2 Stranding in Canals 6-2
6.3 Impact of Climate Change Extreme Weather Events 6-3
6.4 Super Flood 2010 6-4
6.5 Directed take 6-6
6.6 By catch 6-7
6.7 Pollution (Domestic, agriculture, Industrial) 6-7
6.8 Water Scarcity 6-7
6.9 Water Abstraction 6-8
6.10 Downstream Migration 6-8
6.11 Industrial and Agriculture Pollution 6-9
6.12 Soil Erosion 6-9
6.13 Impact of Fishing 6-9
6.14 Impact of Poaching 6-9
7.0 CONCLUSION
7.1 Discussion on Social Survey 7-2
7.2 Discussion on Planktons 7-2
7.3 Discussion on Physico Chemical analysis 7-3
7.3.1 Impact of the Presence of Heavy Metal 7-3
7.4 Discussion on Microbiology Report 7-3
7.4.1 Impact of Excess Microorganisms 7-3
iii
8.0 RECOMMENDATION
8.1 Policy Issues 8-2
8.2 Awareness 8-2
8.3 Specific Recommendations 8-3
Annexure - I : List of Flora and fauna of the study area
Annexure - II : Result of the Physico Chemical and Microbiological

analysis
Annexure - III : Limnological studies of River Indus
REFERENCES
iv
B a s e l i n e S t u dy o f I n d u s D o l p h i n
G u d d u B a r r a g e t o Ko t r i B a r r a g e
Glossary
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS 1

GLOSSARY
µm micrometer
APHA American Public Health Association
AWD Acidic Mine Drainage (a kind of special test)
CaCO3 Calcium Carbonate
CBOs Community Based Organizations
CF Correction Factor
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
cm Centimeter
DAP Di-Ammonium Phosphate
ft/km Foot per Kilometer
GEMS Global Environmental Management Services
GIS Global Information System
GPS Global Positioning System
ha Hector
HgNO3 Silver Nitrate
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
Km Kilometer
Km/hr Kilometer per hour
Km2 Square Kilometer
m/s meter per second
m3/s Cubic meter per second
MAF Million Acre Feet
MBT Main Boundary Thrust
mg/l Milligram per liter
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS i

mi2 Square Miles
ml Milliliter
mm Millimeter
MSL Mean Sea Level
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NE Northeast
NGOs Non Government Organizations
NSDWQ National Standard for Drinking Water Quality
NT Near Threatened
o
C Degree Centigrade
o
F Degree Fahrenheit
pH Power of Hydrogen
Psi Pound per square inch
SIDA Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority
SUPARCO Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission
SW Southwest
t/ha Ton per hector
TDS Total Dissolved Solid
TSS Total Suspended Solids
TV Television
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
W West
WHO World Health Organization
WWF World Wildlife Fund
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS ii

Chapter:1- Introduction
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS 1-1

1 INTRODUCTION
Sindh is located on the western corner Sea in the south. In the centre is a fer-
of South Asia, bordering the Iranian tile plain around the Indus River.
plateau in the west. Geographically it is
Sindh is essentially a gift of the River
the third largest province of Pakistan,
Indus (Sindhu Darya). Its flowing length
stretching about 579 km from north to
in Sindh is about 580 miles. It bisects
south and 442 km (extreme) or 281 km
Sindh, overflowing on both east and
(average) from east to west, with an area
west valley regions to form the rich al-
of 140,915 km2 (54,407 mile2) of Pak-
luvial areas with forests and agricul-
istani territory. Sindh is bounded by the
tural lands. The Indus delta region has
Thar Desert to the east, the Khirthar
been continuously growing reclaiming
Mountain to the west, and the Arabian
lands during historic times.
Phisiographically, Sindh can be divided

in three vertical almost parallel sec-
Some facts about Indus River
tions:
Total length: 3180 Kilometers (1976 miles)
I) Western highlands- comprising of
Total Drainage Area: 1,165,000 Km2
the Kirthar Mountains and Sindh
Estimated Annual Flow: 207 Cubic Kilo- Kohistan extending from Su-
meters
laiman range in the North all the
Water Source: Snow, Glaciers and Rain
way to sea-board in the South.
Flood Season: Monsoon (July to Septem-
ber)
Relative Age: More than 3000 years BC

II) Lower Indus valley- consisting of
Geological Age: >5 Million Years western and eastern valley sec-
tions and the deltaic area.
Indus River flows through the course and
deposit sediments into three basins as;
● Indus Upper Basin III) Eastern Desert- including Pat

● Indus Central/Middle Basin section and the Thar area.
● Indus Lower Basin

1.1 Objectives of the Study 3. To delineate the boundaries of

Indus Dolphin Game Reserve be-
The general objective of the study is to tween Guddu and Sukkur Bar-
update the existing status and informa- rages
tion on Indus Dolphins, its habitat in
4. Analyze threats and issues related
River Indus, Sindh and associated
to the Indus dolphin conservation
major canals to enable Sindh Wildlife
in Sindh.
Department for long-term conservation
and management of this unique animal. 5. Collect and analyze information
The specific objectives of the study were on food chain and related food
as follows: items of Indus Dolphin in its exist-
1. Update population status of Indus ing habitat in Sindh.
dolphins between Guddu and

Sukkur Barrages and also Be- 1.2 Limitations of the study
tween Sukkur and Kotri barrages.
The study was limited to Indus Dolphin
2. Update and map the current dis-
Game Reserve between Guddu and
tribution of dolphin in Indus River
Sukkur barrages and also between
(Sindh).
Super Flood 2010 at Guddu Barrage

Sukkur and Kotri Barrages. As the sur- the river systems due to security con-
vey was initiated during the monsoon cerns, but all major areas were covered.
season, at the end of the survey mon-
soon rains begins and created hurdles 1.3 Indus River
approaching the river banks. Due to
heavy rains and exceptionally highest The Indus River is the longest and most
flood of the century in Indus River it important river in Pakistan. It is one of
was impossible to continue survey and the largest rivers on the Asian conti-
research activities. The survey was nent. It begins in Tibet and flows into
again initiated at the end of February the Arabian Sea. The river system is fed
Indus Ri ver Dolphin in its Habitat
2011 but at the first day of the survey mainly by snow and glaciers of the Hi-
law & order situation has created in the malayas, and is one of the few rivers
area due to which the survey was post- that exhibit a tidal bore. The flow is also
poned. After the batter situation in the determined by the seasons, being lower
area the survey was initiated again from in winter, and over flowing it’s banks in
the middle of April 2011. Along with monsoon season, from July to Septem-
this, movements of survey team were re- ber. Unlike the rivers of East Asia,
stricted prohibited to some segments of which have strongly interacted as a re-

sult of eastward propagating deforma- years ago at the time of Middle Miocene
tion in that area, the Indus has re- when globally sea level was high, with
mained uninterrupted and represents three significant marine transgressive
the oldest known river in the Himalayan regressive cycles recorded worldwide
Region. (Haq et al. 1987). With the resulting
large-scale marine transgressions on to
Indus River is known as the habitat of
low-lying regions of the continents,
large number of freshwater animals and
shallow epicontinental seas became
plants. Among those are many indige-
prominent marine ecosystems. The
nous fish species and a migratory fish
Indo-Gangetic plain of the Indian sub-
called “Palla” (Tenualosa ilisha), Indus
continent vast geomorphic systems
blind dolphin “Bulhan” (Platanista
whose fluvio-deltaic regions were pene-
minor), Indus River Otter or Sindh Otter
trated deeply by marine waters during
“Ludhro” (Lutrogale perspicillata
high sea-level stands. The shallow estu-
sindica) and many crustaceans includ-
arine regions created by the mixing of
ing freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium
rosenbergii and M. malcolmsonii). All of Phylum : Chordata
these creatures are facing threats as the
Class : Mammalia
habitat is facing water shortage and de-
terioration of its quality. The water de- Order : Cetacea
terioration in turn alters the biodiversity
of the system. Virtually biodiversity re- Family : Platanistidae
flects the status of water body. It is

Genus : Platanista
therefore, utmost important to study
and document the biodiversity of Indus Species : Platanista gangetica minor Or
River to understand overall picture of Platanista minor
the ecosystem.
riverine and marine waters probably

1.4 Indus River Dolphin
supported diverse food resources, par-
(Platanista gangetica minor
ticularly for aquatic animals able to tol-
or Platanista minor)
erate osmotic differences between fresh
and saltwater systems.
Indus dolphin is one of the unique
species of mammals evolved through a Draining of the epicontinental seas and
continuous process of evolution and reduction of the near shore marine
this story begins as early as 5 Million ecosystem occurred with a Late Miocene

trend of sea-level regression, which con- Indo-Gangetic basin, and remained

tinued throughout the Pliocene, inter- through its transition to an extensive
rupted by only moderate and relatively freshwater ecosystem during the Late
brief events of sea-level rise (Hallam Neogene trend of sea-level regression.
1992). As sea levels fell, these archaic Although the palaeogeography of the
odontocetes survived in river systems, two river systems would suggest a his-
while their marine relatives were su- tory of isolation, the genetic distance
perceeded by the radiation of Delphi- P.gangetica and P. minor is surprisingly
noidea. Cassens et al. (2000) also noted low.
the persistence of river dolphins during
The Indus Dolphin (Platanista gangetica
the radiation of delphinoids. They sug-
minor or Platanista minor) or Bulhan,
gest that extant river dolphin lineages
as it is locally known is a unique river
`escaped extinction ‘ by adaptation to
cetacean that occurs in Pakistan and a
their current riverine habitats. All ex-
recently discovered population exist in
tant organ-isms have escaped extinc-
Punjab, India is one of the most endan-
tion by being adequately adapted to
gered Cetacean species of the world.
their present circumstances. By inte-
Most dolphins and whales are found
grating phylogenetic, palaeoceano-
only in the sea, but the Indus River dol-
graphic and fossil data, we provide an
phin survives only in Freshwater. Other
explicit hypothesis for the evolution and
river dolphin species occur in the
modern distribution of river dolphins
Yangtze River in China, the Amazon &
The Indo-Gangetic foreland basin is a Orinoco in South America and the
broad, flat plain of sediment delivered Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna
throughout the Cenozoic by an intricate River System in India, Bangladesh and
network of migrating rivers descending Nepal.
from the tectonically dynamic Hi-
The Indus River dolphin is a very un-
malayan Mountains (Burbank et al.
usual kind of cetacean. It is thought to
1996). The increased sea levels of the
have its origin in the ancient Tethys
Middle Miocene would have inundated
Sea, which dried up around fifty million
large areas of the fore-land basin, cre-
years ago forcing the dolphin to adapt
ating a shallow marine habitat.
to its only remaining habitat - the
Platanista is the only surviving descen- rivers. Living in the turbid waters of the
dant of an archaic odontocete that ven- Indus for millions of years has meant
tured into the epicontinental seas of the that its sight has been replaced by a so-

phisticated sonar system known as Convention on International Tread in

echolocation, which it uses to steer and Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
hunt underwater. This species repre- and Flora (CITES):
sents a unique genome, an irreplaceable
CITES (the Convention on International
part of the biodiversity of life on earth.
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Historically the Indus dolphins were ex- Fauna and Flora) is an international
isted from the Indus estuary up into the agreement between governments. Its
foothills of the Himalayas at Attock. aim is to ensure that international trade
They were also found in all major Indus in specimens of wild animals and plants
tributaries, including upstream in the does not threaten their survival.CITES
River Ravi. Since the construction of the is an international agreement to which
Indus irrigation system, the dolphins States (countries) adhere voluntarily.
have declined dramatically. Now they States that have agreed to be bound by
remain only in a short stretch of the the Convention ('joined' CITES) are
main Indus River in small populations, known as Parties. Although CITES is
which have been separated by impass- legally binding on the Parties – in other
able irrigation weirs or barrages across words they have to implement the Con-
the Indus River. vention – it does not take the place of
national laws. Rather it provides a
1.4.1 Status and Trends framework to be respected by each
Party, which has to adopt its own do-
IUCN declared Indus Dolphin as the en- mestic legislation to ensure that CITES
dangered species in the following years. is implemented at the national level.it
has three appendices Appendices I, II
IUCN Status: and III to the Convention are lists of
species afforded different levels or types
● 1970’s – 1994 : Endangered
of protection from over-exploitation.
● 1996 – 2002 : Endangered
Appendix I lists species that are the
(Criteria: A1acd, B1+2abcde)
most endangered among CITES-listed
(IUCN 2002)
animals and plants.
● 2004 – 2006 : Endangered
Appendix II lists species that are not
(Criteria: A2abcde; B1ab (i,ii,iii,iv);
necessarily now threatened with extinc-
C1)
tion but that may become so unless

trade is closely controlled. It also in- 1.5 Background

cludes so-called "look-alike species", i.e.
species of which the specimens in trade Worldwide seven species of Freshwater
look like those of species listed for con- dolphins are found, four live only in
servation reasons. freshwater: the Ganges River Dolphin
(Platanista gangetica), the Yangtze River
Appendix III is a list of species included
dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), the Indus
at the request of a Party that already
river dolphin, (Platanista minor) and the
regulates trade in the species and that
Amazon dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). The
needs the cooperation of other countries
Ganges River dolphins were historically
to prevent unsustainable or illegal ex-
distributed throughout the Ganges,
ploitation.
Meghna, Brahmputra and Karnaphuli
● Indus Dolphin is listed on CITES river systems of India, Nepal and
appendix I. Bangladesh (Jones 1982, Reeves and
Brownell 1989, Shrestha 1989). But
Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance: with the construction of more than 50
dams and other irrigation-related proj-
Indus Dolphin is a protected species
ects, the dolphins are threatened by
under schedule II of Sindh Wildlife Pro-
population fragmentation and isolation,
tection Ordinance 1972.
pollution of their habitat, drowning in
fishing nets or delib-
erate removal for
trade and prey de-
pletion. As a result,
the range and
abundance of dol-
phin has reduced
in many areas
(Reeves and
Leatherwood 1995).
During the dry sea-

son from October to
April many dol-
Indus River Dolphin phins leave the

(Platanista gangetica minor or Platanista minor) main river and

enter in canals following their pray fish. Colour: Mostly mid grey, pinkish-brown
Unfortunately this time coincides with
Size: The maximum size is 2.5m. Males
the canals closure season and due to
are smaller than females.
this closure those dolphins were there
are trapped and confined to the pools of
Eyes: The dolphin is functionally blind
deep waters in these canals. Rescue
and has no lens in its tiny eye.
programmes were launched to save
these trapped dolphins. It is important Teeth: Adults have between 30 and 36
to note that this dispersal of dolphin is sharp teeth on each side of the upper
not accidental (if it take place in the and lower jaws. The teeth at the end of
same time frame) but indicating that it the rostrum are very long and protrud-
is a seasonal pattern of migration ing.
(Shrestha 1989). This migration seems
Rostrum: River dolphins have a much
to be associated with the migration and
longer rostrum than oceanic dolphins.
dispersal of fishes, which are their main
It can be up to one fifth of the body
prey (Kasuya and Haque 1972).
length.
Primary habitats are characterized by
Blowhole: Dolphins breathe through a
an eddy counter-current system in the
blowhole located on the top of their
main river flow caused by a fine
head.
sand/silt point bar formed from sedi-
ment of a convergent stream branch or
Neck: The neck is relatively narrow and
a tributary. Marginal habitats are char-
very flexible which helps the dolphin
acterized by a smaller eddy counter-
move in a complicated river environ-
current system caused by an upstream
ment.
meander. Dolphins concentrate on loca-
tions of high prey availability and re- Flippers: Bhulans have very broad flip-
duced flow. The primary habitats are pers which stabilize them at slow
also areas of greater human activity. speeds in fast flowing water.
The Indus River Dolphin is a species

1.6 Physical Description
that lives in Indus River, Pakistan and
recently a small population was
Indus dolphins are mammals, not fish.
reported from Punjab, India. It’s growth
Just like humans, they breathe air and
has a freshwater species is one that has
give birth to live young, which feed on
allowed it to remain a unique classifica-
their mothers’ milk.

tion and has created it’s known attrib- 1.6.2 Description & Behavior
utes throughout the rivers of these
countries. Platanista gangetica minor or Platanista
minor (Roxburgh, 1801), (blind river
1.6.1 Facts about Indus River dolphin or bhulan) are a subspecies of
Dolphins Ganges river dolphins. With the excep-
tion of slightly different tail lengths, the
Until 1998, the Indus River dolphin was 2 species are physically very similar;
considered a sub-species of the Gangus however the differ by the rivers they in-
River dolphin. Because both live in close habit, which qualifies the Indus river
proximity to each other and because of dolphin as a subspecies. They are simi-
the features that cause them to be sim- lar in color to the brown-gray water they
ilar in the way in which they live, the inhabit on the dorsal side, paler on the
separation was one that was not recog- ventral side. They have a distinctive, ex-
nized until recently. The distinguishing tremely long beak that swells at the tip.
attributes of this dolphin come from The dorsal fin is smaller than those of
where it lives, specifically because it has other river dolphins. They have large
moved into the Indus River of Pakistan, flippers and flukes. Like other river dol-
as well as some of the anatomy attrib- phin species, their necks are flexible.
utes that it has. Unlike other river Their external ears are located beneath
dwelling dolphins, the Indus River Dol- the small poorly sighted eyes. Like other
phin stays somewhere in between being river dolphins that live in muddy waters
an ocean creature and a river dolphin. with poor visibility, the Indus river dol-
This is because they will come up for air phin is not equipped with strong eye-
every 30 seconds to two minutes. This sight. Females are generally larger than
causes them to move more frequently males.
through the river spaces than other
The Indus river dolphin is generally a
species. They also move in relation to
solitary species; however groups of up
migration, depending on the monsoon
to 30 dolphins have been observed.
season and the dry season. This will
These dolphins are able to swim on
cause them to either move towards the
their sides, which enables them to swim
middle area of the river or downstream,
in very shallow water if necessary, al-
where the river is more calm.
though they are not known to be an ac-
robatic dolphin species. They are highly
vocal and depend on echolocation to

perceive their environment and to navi- rying their calf in the embryo for a pe-
gate because their eyesight is poor. riod of 10 – 12 months, depending on
They rarely use their ability to make the development cycle needed. Calves
sounds to communicate. The sounds will remain with their mother and will
they do emit are described as intermit- continue to nurse for up to one year.
tent pulses. They will not leave their mother until
they are an average of two years old,
1.6.3 Feeding which will then lead them to either
move on their own or to meet other dol-
The Indus River Dolphin feeds in a way, phins that are of similar age.
to stay in the deeper areas of the river,
1.6.5 Anatomy
they prefer to find their food on the river
bottom. They do it by swimming to one
The appearance of the Indus River Dol-
side, and simply opening their mouth
phins includes stocky features of their
whenever they sense that food is nearer
body. They are an average size of five to
eight feet, and will typically weight
The diet of the Indus River Dolphin in-
around 200 pounds. They are also no-
cludes the river dwelling creatures that
ticed by their thin and long beaks,
are close to the area that they are swim-
which is what helps them to feed on the
ming. This includes a wide variety of
bottom of the river beds.
fish, such as carp and catfish, as well
as turtles, prawns and sometimes birds.
This is dependent on what is found
while they are swimming closer to the
river bottom.
1.6.4 Reproduction
The reproduction features of the Indus

River Dolphin are similar to others of
the dolphin species. Specifically, this
means that they will begin to sexually
mature by the time they are six to ten
years old. Mating rituals will lead most
pregnancies to occur between the
months of January to April, while car-

Chapter:2- Study Areas

2 STUDY AREAS
2.1 River Indus (Between Where ever possible along the embank-
Guddu – Sukkur Barrages) ments different point locations were
noted through GPS and also observed
Focus of this survey was to update the flora and fauna along the embank-
population status of the Indus dolphin ments. The accessible areas were also
and collected water samples from every surveyed especially those where night
10 km distance to analyze the state of stays were planned. These surveys were
flowing water. Sample of fish were also conducted within the 3 km radius from
collected during servery, crustaceans, the embankments.
zoo and phytoplankton sample were col-
lected for their quantitative & qualita- 2.2 River Indus (Between
tive analysis to know the state of Sukkur-Kotri Barrages)
existing habitat and availability of food
for dolphin. The survey was conducted Similar survey strategy was also
from the Guddu to Sukkur barrage. adopted during the survey between
View of Sukkur Barrage

Sukkur to Kotri barrage. During the °F) between May and August, and the
survey it was found that it is extremely minimum average temperature of 2 °C
difficult to follow the embankments (36 °F) occurs during December and
along the river due to two significant January. The annual rainfall averages
reasons one is the deteriorated condi- about seven inches, falling mainly dur-
tions of the embankments at many ing July and August. The Southwest
places won’t allow to travel on or along Monsoon wind begins to blow in mid-
them. The second hurdle is the security February and continues until the end of
conditions of the area at many places September, whereas the cool northerly
the law enforcement agencies would not wind blows during the winter months
allow survey team to go at the edge of from October to January.
the river and the third one is river is not
Sindh lies between the two monsoon -
continuously flowing. Water was only
the southwest monsoon from the Ara-
present in the deeper areas and is ex-
bian Sea and the northeast or retreating
tremely difficult for boats to sail contin-
monsoon, deflected towards it by Hi-
uously in the river. Due to these
malayan mountains — and escapes the
reasons, the area was covered from the
influence of both. The average rainfall in
access points and samples were col-
Sindh is only 15 to 18 cm per year, but
lected from those points.
the loss during the two seasons is com-
2.2.1 Surveys Shedule pensated by the Indus, in the form of in-
undation, caused twice a year by the
spring and summer melting of Hi-
NO. LOCATIONS DATE
malayan snow and by rainfall in the
monsoon season. These natural pat-
Guddu Barrage to 25th February -
1. terns have changed somewhat with the
Kotri Barrage 04th March 2011
construction of dams and barrages on
Guddu Barrage o 15th April - the Indus.
2.
Kotri Barrage 24th April 2011
Climatically, Sindh is divided in three
sections - Siro (upper section centred on
2.3 Climatic Conditions Jacobabad), Wicholo (middle section
centred on Hydrabad), and Lar (lower
A subtropical region, Sindh is hot in the section centered on Karachi). In Upper
summer and cold in winter. Tempera- Sindh, the thermal equator passes
tures frequently rise above 46 °C (115 through Sindh. The highest tempera-

Indus Dolphin Survey Area

ture ever recorded was 53 °C (127 °F) in month of the year while January is the
1919. The air is generally very dry. In coldest. During June the mean maxi-
winter frost is common. The project fall mum and minimum temperature
in Siro area of sindh. ranges between 40 °C and 27°C respec-
tively in winter season the mean maxi-
In Central Sindh, average monsoon
mum temperature is 24°C and mean
wind speed is 18 km/hour in June. The
minimum temperature is 10°C
temperature is lower than Upper Sindh
Metrological data of survey schedule are
but higher than Lower Sindh. Dry hot
given in table 1.
days and cool nights are summer char-
acteristics. Maximum temperature
Table # 1: Tempature
reaches 43-44°C (110-112°F). Lower
Max Min Avg.
Sindh has a damper and humid mar-
Month Temp. Temp Temp
itime climate affected by the south-
(C°) (C°) (C°)
western winds in summer and
January 25 12 18
north-eastern winds in winter and with
lower rainfall than Central Sindh. The February 27 15 20
maximum temperature reaches about March 40 23 29

35-38°C (95-100°F). In the Kirthar
April 43 34 28
range at 1,800 m and higher on the
Gorakh Hill and other peaks in Dadu S o u rc e : www.wh e a th e ru n d e rg ro u n d .c o m
District, temperatures near freezing

have been recorded and brief snow fall
2.3.2 Rainfall
is received in winters.
The area is exceedingly dry with mean

2.3.1 Air Temperature
annual rainfall of less than 88mm aver-
aged over period of thirty four years.
The Area experiences extreme tempera-
The available data indicator that there
ture during summer. June is the hottest
are two wet season : the first with low
Table # 2: Rainfall
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0mm 0mm 0mm 6mm 0mm 0mm 0mm 3mm 0mm 3mm 3mm 6mm
0 1 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2
Source: www.worldwheatheronline.com

Table # 3 : Average Rainfall
Source: www.worldwheatheronline.com
rain fall in February and march ( with tensity. Strong winds exceeding 12 m/s
mean monthly rainfall of 5.9 mm and in speed blow from SW to W direction
4.9 mm respectively).approximately for about 71 percent of the time. During
78% of mean annual rainfall of 44.6mm NE monsoon, the wind blows for about
,21.3mm and 10.5 mm. Metrological 12 percent with an average intensity of
data of survey schedule are given in tab- 6 m/s.
ular form.
The NE strong wind of 12 m/s blows for
about 1 percent of the time in a year.
2.3.3 Wind Speed
Metrological data of survey schedule are
given in tabular form.
The wind direction during the south-
west monsoon period comes predomi- Table # 4 : wind speed
nantly from the west and southwest and
Max. Min Avg
during northeast monsoon comes from Month
(Km/h) (Km/h) (Km/h)
the northeast and north.
January 37 0 0
The wind speed during the southwest
monsoon period is about 14 m/s, while February 27 0 4
the wind speed during the northeast

March 117 0 4
monsoon rarely exceeds 8 m/s. The
wind roses delineate the percentages of April 47 0 6
winds from different directions and in- S o u rc e : www.wh e a th e ru n d e rg ro u n d .c o m

2.3.4 Water flow Pattern Koh-i-Baba and Hindu Kush and its
main tributaries are the Logar, the Pan-
The Indus originates in a spring called jahir, the Alugar and the Kunar. Below
Singikahad near Mansarwar Lake. Warsak, another tributary of Indus, the
Thespring is located on the northern Swat joinsit, increasing the total catch-
side of Himalayan range in Kaillas Par- ment at this site to about 4,200 miles2.
bat,Tibet at an altitude of 18,000 feet About five miles below Attock, Harrow,
above mean sea level. Traversing about a small flashy stream joins the Indus,
500miles in a northwesterly direction, it draining the district of Attock (Camp-
is joined by the River Shyok near bellpur) and some areas of Murree, Has-
Skardu at an elevation of 9,000 feet. san Abdal, and Rawalpindi. The
The river flows in the same direction for catchment of the river is about 2,400
another100 miles before it turns round miles2 up to the G.T.Road. About seven
Nanga Parbat and is joined by the River miles above the Jinnah Barrage, the
Gilgit at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The Soan, a stream draining the largest and
Indus then flows another 200 miles in a worst eroded areas of Rawalpindl,
southwestern direction pouring into the Jhelum and Attock districtswith a
plains at an elevation of about 800 feet catchment area of 4,800 miles2 joins
at Kalabagh. the Indus. Below Jinnah Barrage, the
important western tributaries of the
Up to Durband, the river runs through
Indus are the Kurram, Gomaland Zoab.
a hilly tract to reach an elevation of
about 2,000 feet, before the tract some-
2.3.5 Average flow in Indus
what changes. Beyond Durband, the
River
Indus receives water near Tarbela
through Siran, a small flashy stream
The Indus River System Authority com-
rising from low elevation and draining
piles the river flow data. Annual average
the alluvial lands of Mansehra, Abbot-
flows are calculated by averaging the
tabad and a part of Haripur.
daily flows. Kharif data represents the
period between April 01 – September 30
A further twenty miles downstream,
and the Rabi data is based on flows be-
near Attock, its biggest western tribu-
tween October 01 – March 31 of the fol-
tary,the Kabul, joins the Indus. The
lowing year. This Indus data collected at
drainage area of this river above Warsak
Tarbela for 40 years before the Indus
is 26,000 miles2. The River Kabul’s
Water Treaty i.e. 1922-61, ten years
source is in the ranges of Safed Koh,

after the treaty i.e. 1985-95 and recent Ladakh district (Jammu Kashmir, India)
year completed i.e. 2001-02 depicting then enter into Pakistan from the North-
drought conditions is as follows: ern Areas (Gilgit-Baltistan), flowing
through the north to south direction
Average Average Average along the entire length of Pakistan.
Annual Flow Annual Flow Annual Flow Kabul, Jhelum, Chenab, Sutlej, and
(1922-61) (1985-95) (2001-02) Ravi rivers extend and flow over Punjab
MAF MAF MAF all tributaries merge into a main stream
“Indus River” enter into Sindh at Guddo
93 62.7 48.0
(Kashmor) flow course through entire
Source: SIDA flood report Sindh from Kotri Indus river disperse
into different channels. Deltaic region
start from Thatta, Indus river stretch
2.4 Indus River Geology
into braided channels and finally merge
Indus River flows through China, India into the Arabian Sea near the Port
and Pakistan with contribution of 2%, Qasim (Karachi).
5% and 93% respectively. Indus River
originating in the Tibetan Plateau of
western China, run course through the
Indus river with low water level

2.4.2 Lower Indus Basin (Guddu)
● Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the study of the eval-

uation and configuration of landforms.
It is described the nature, origin, devel-
opment and physical features exposed
on surface.
Guddu is a hub of Indus river main

stream where a barrage is constructed
to storage water reserves and electricity
generation. Geomorphology (L. Flam,
1993) of the area demonstrate a link
canal Ghotki feeder distributes the
Indus River Flow Course and

Tributaries
Source: SIDA Report
2.4.1 Lower Indus Basin
Lower Indus basin (I.B.Qadri, 1995) is

gently dip towards westward to south-
east. It is a geosynclines basin where
Indus flows through the course. Indus
river main stream enter into Indus
lower basin start from Guddu (Kash-
mor, Sindh) through water course along
with Kotri and dispersed into many
braided channels from deltaic region of
Thatta and finally merge into Arabian
Sea.
Indus River water Course Tributaries

and canals
Source: SIDA Report

water from Guddu reserves to eastern pingement and crystalline basement ex-
part of the Sindh. A major canal Guddu posed on surface. It is like a gorge where
is located geographically at Indus River flows between Kirthar and
28025’41.05”N and 69041’23.94”E with Jacobabad rise highlands.
261 feet elevation from MSL (Mean Sea
● Tectonic
Level). Elevation is steeply high from
westward along Kirthar ranges highest Continental Drift theory by Alfred We-
peak about 10,000 feet. Indus River gener German scientist in 1915, accord-
merged in Rajanpur, Punjab province. ing to the theory of plate tectonic
In east Tharpar kar an arid hot tropical described about the convergent and di-
desert region located. Jacobabad high vergent of the continental and oceanic
also located in eastward with gentle rise crust.Indian plate accelerated north-
800 ft high elevation. In south Sukkur ward in counter clockwise with
city located along Indus River. 16cm/year. These convergent and di-
● Geology vergent plates movement caused forma-
tion of new feature on earth as
Geology is defined as the scientific mountain formation, volcanism, island
study of the origin, history and struc- formation, earthquake generation etc.
ture of the earth. Structure of the Earth
Tectonic (I.B.Qadri, 1995., Peter K. et al,
comprises dynamic core, mantle and
1993) setting of Guddu area presented
crust. Rocks types formation, composi-
extremely faults and folds due to the
tion, and deformation process deal in
collision of Indian plate subducted into
geology. Geology is a broad natural sci-
Eurasian plate in westward along
ence covered the study which described
MBT(Main Boundary Thrust). Conse-
about plate tectonics, sedimentation,
quent of subdction high rise mountain
stratigraphy, lithology, geohydrology,
and hilly area exposed in westward
paleontology, engineering geology, geo-
while Guddu located at foothill with a
chemistry, petroleum geology, marine
rift valley. In west to eastward post im-
geology etc. Geology (K.Hayat, 2003) of
pacts of the uplift plate tectonic crys-
Guddu area described basically as a rift
talline basement of the Indian plate
valley located at foothill of Kirthar
Jacobabad and Kandhkot high rises.
ranges westward stretching along the
These plate movements created a gorge
MBT (Main Boundary Thrust). Jacoba-
type rift valley along the westward
bad and Kandhkot high in eastward
Kirthar hilly ranges.
rises in consequent of Indian plate im-

● Sedimentation Coarser sediments like pebble deposits

into the edges and fine grain sandstone
Sedimentation is a process of erosion, deposited in descending order with river
transportation and deposition. Indus current respectively. Silt and clay sus-
river sedimentation(I.B.Qadri, 1995., M. pended sediments deposit into deep
A. A. Beg, 1991) process is ancient as water calm environment generally at the
river history, this process at Guddu is bed of river. Braided channel deposited
in progress with a thick deposition of al- gravel to coarse sediments into a fan
luvial sediments at the bank of Indus shape in the course of Indus river at
river.Each year Indus river deposit sed- Guddu.
iments with high rate (million of tones
● Soil
per year). Alluvial sediments deposition
pattern is based on channel type as,
Soil containing solid particles(salts,
braided, meandering and straight.
minerals and organic materials), water
Braided channel deposited gravels to
and air. Soil (M. A.A. Beg, 1991., K.
coarse into a fan shape with shallow
Hayat, 2003) is defined as that part of
depth. Flood plain meandering system
unconsolidated materials covered with
composed of fine sandstone river bed.
upper part of the crust nutrient supply
Straight channel bifurcate in a deltaic
to growth of vegetation.
region where suspended and lighter
sediments silt, and clay deposits. Sedi- Soil of the Guddu region exhibits fri-
mentation process depends on water able, loose fine grain sandstone with silt
current, rate of erosion, water sedi- and clay. Loamy and humid fragments
ments load, depth, width, and inclina- also present along the Indus river. Bank
tion. Coarser gravel depends on the of Indus river fill with high graded peb-
current of water flow, high water cur- ble to coarse sandstone. Calcareous and
rent deposit heavy and coarse sedi- argillaceous limestone also abundantly
ments, low current with fine grain found. Color of soil is varying from
deposit while light and suspended sed- brown to grey depending on the organic
iments deposits into calm environment. content. Usually soil is content low
amount of organic material
Guddu is located at the bank of Indus
● Stratigraphy
river. Each year Indus river deposit sed-
iments with high rate (million of tones
Stratigraphy is derived from word strata
per year) this is a process of erosion of
(Layer, bed) the study of layering depo-
Himalayan mountains.

sition, distribution, composition and part consists of shale with subordinate

age of sedimentary rocks. stratigraphy sandstone and limestone. The shale is
(S.M. Ibrahim Shah, 2009) of lower variegated greenish grey and gypsifer-
Indus basin described the succession of ous. The sandstone is brown greenish
strata from quaternary, tertiary to grey calcareous ferruginous and cross-
Jurassic period as geological time scale. bedded. The limestone is brown or yel-
lowish white argillaceous and
The upper formation of quaternary,
fossilferous. At some places minor con-
Pleistocene period is Lei Conglomerate
glomerate beds containing pebbles, sep-
composed mainly poorly sorted coarse
arately derived from the Nari Fromation
sandstone to pebble, cobbles and boul-
are also present.
ders with a calcareous sandy matrix.
with varying thickness (5-650) meters. Nari Formation overlain by the Gaj for-
Lei conglomerate formation exposed mation in successive order. Nari forma-
with varying thickness (5-650) meters, tion exposed with thickness(200-1400)
at upper part of Sindh relatively low meters varying place to place. Nari for-
thickness than in Indus plain. Color of mation consists of sandstone, shale and
the Lei conglomerate usually stained subordinate limestone. The lower part
ochre red or yellow. Most of the boul- of the formation, the Nal member pre-
ders are of limestone, marl and sand- dominantly composed of crystalline
stone derived from Tertiary and older limestone which is white to grey, brown
rocks of the neighboring arcas. Subor- or yellow Shelly, nodular or rough sur-
dinate sandstone beds are intercalated faced, thin to thick bedded and even
with the conglomerate. This sandstone massive. The upper part of the Nari for-
is green grey and brown, cross bedded, mation consists predominantly of sand-
crumly and pebbly. The conglomerate stone, which is greenish grey, grey
usually forms steep or vertical walls and brown and white colored, fine to coarse
cliffs. grained often gritty and calcareous with
subordinate shale, sandstone and vari-
Gaj formation exposed beneath the Lei
colored claystones. Beds of conglomer-
Conglomerate with thickness about
ate and ironstone are present either at
(500-600) meters. Gaj formation is in-
the base or in the upper part. Generally
terbedded with sandstone, shale and
there is no limestone interbeds are pres-
subordinate limestone. Gaj formation
ent which resemble those of the overly-
exposed on surface at Guddu due to the
ing Gaj formation. Nari formation
tectonic activities. Nari formation lower
widespread distribution Kirthar, Su-

laiman provinces and parts of the Axial tion. In south Hyderabad city is located
Belt. along Indus River.
● Geology
Guddu lies in lower Indus basin, Lei
conglomerate formation is exposed with
Geology (Khizar Hayat-2003) of the
low thickness while Gaj formation is
Sukkur area described basically as a al-
widespread exposed on surface due to
luvial distribution of the sediments over
tectonics and eroding with Indus river.
a large area with stretching of Indus
Nari formation predominately extended
river. This is a geosynclines basin be-
throughout the Kirthar range. some
tween complex tectonic structure.
outcrops exposed on surface with in-
Sukkur is located at Kirthar ranges
terbedded with Gaj formation.
westward stretching along the MBT
(Main Boundary Thrust). Jacobabad
2 .4 .3 L o we r In d u s B a s in
and Kandhkot high from west to east-
(S u k k u r)
ward rises in consequent of Indian plate
● Geomorphology impingement and crystalline basement
exposed on surface. It is high inclined
Sukkur is a second bigger water re- land where Indus river flows between
serves with several minor and major Kirthar and Jacobabad rise highlands.
distributaries as Rohri and Nara canals
● Tectonic
to water supply in agricultural field.
Sukkur barrage formerly Lloyd Barrage Tectonic Continental Drift theory by Al-
is constructed by British government fred Wegener German scientist in 1915.
(1923-1932). Sukkur is located geo- Tectonic (I.B.Qadri and Peter K. Zeitler
graphically at 27041’26.28”N and et al, 1995), setting of Sukkur area
68050’56.07”E with 200 elevation from presented extremely faults and folds
MSL (Mean Sea Level). Elevation is due to the collision of Indian plate sub-
steeply high from westward along ducted into Eurasian plate in westward
Kirthar ranges highest peak about 8000 along MBT(Main Boundary Thrust). In-
feet. North is manifesting of tributaries dian plate accelerated northward in
of Indus river merged in Rajanpur, Pun- counter clockwise with 16cm/year.
jab province. In east Tharpar kar an Consequent of subdction high rise
arid hot tropical desert region located. mountain and hilly area ”Kirthar
Jacobabad high also located in east- Ranges” exposed in westward while
ward with gentle rise 800 ft high eleva- Sukkur located at foothill with a geo-

synclines rift basin. In northwest to river. Bank of Indus river fill with high
eastward post impacts of the uplift plate graded pebble to coarse sandstone. Cal-
tectonic crystalline basement of the In- careous and argillaceous limestone also
dian plate Jacobabad and Kandhkot abundantly found. Dolomite and
high rises. These plate movements cre- evoparite also content with admixture of
ated a rift valley along the westward clay.
kirthar hilly ranges and eastward Ja-
Color of soil is varying from brown to
cobabad high.
yellow as content of massive limestone
● Sedimentation
with clay. Light gray to white soil ex-
posed on surface indicates limeston,
Sukkur is located at the bank of Indus
dolomite and evopartie. Organic mate-
river. Each year Indus river deposit a
rial is found with low percentage.
large sediments in geosynclines basins
(million of tones per year). Sedimenta- ● Stratigraphy
tion (I.B.Qadri, 1995. M.A.A. Beg, 1991)
Stratigraphy (S.M. Ibrahim Shah,
is a process of erosion of Himalayan
2009)of of lower Indus basin described
mountains and highland terrains.
the succession of strata from quater-
Coarser sediments like pebble deposits nary, tertiary to Jurassic period as geo-
into the edges and fine grain sandstone logical time scale.
deposited in descending order with river
Sukkur lies in lower Indus basin, fluvial
current respectively. Silt and clay sus-
and alluvial early Pleistocene age Lei
pended sediments deposit into deep
conglomerate formation mainly com-
water calm environment generally at the
posed of conglomerate, coarse and fine
bed of river. Braided channel deposited
grain sandstone is exposed with low
gravel to coarse sediments into a fan
thickness while Gaj formation middle
shape in the course of Indus River at Quaternary chiefly composed of sand-
Sukkur. stone, calcareous with subordinate of
● Soil clay is widespread exposed on surface
due to tectonics and eroding with Indus
Soil (M. A. A. Beg, 1991. K. Hayat, 2003) river. Nari formation composed of sand-
of the Sukkur region exhibits unconsol- stone, limestone and interbedded clay
idated, loose fine grain sandstone with predominately extended throughout the
Kirthar range. Some outcrops of Gaj
silt and clay. Loamy and humid frag-
and Nari formation exposed on surface
ments also present along the Indus
due to the tectonic setting.

2.4.4 Lower Indus Basin (Kotri) ● Geology
● Geomorphology Geology (K. Hayat, 2003) of the Kotri

area described basically as a alluvial
Geomorphologic (L. Flam, 1993) study
and fluvial distribution of the sediments
of Kotri demonstrate the Indus river
over a large area with stretching of
storage of thefinal big reserves of Indus
Indus river form west to east. This is a
river system, where all Indus river trib-
gently geosynclines basin between com-
utaries merge and pass through the
plex tectonic structure. Kotri is located
Kotri barrage. Kotri barrage have suffi-
at Kirthar ranges westward stretching
cient water storage capacity and also
along the MBT (Main Boundary Thrust)
provide electricity generation. There are
but with lower elevation and inclination
a number of canal and sub-canal linked
towards southwest respectively.
with Kotri barrage as Fuleli, Gunal and
Tharparkar high from eastward rises in
Pinyari canals to irrigate the agricul-
consequent of Indian plate impingement
tural land. Kotri barrage also named
and crystalline basement exposed on
Ghulam Muhammad barrage construc-
surface. It is relatively a plain plateform
tion was started by British government
land where Indus river flows between
in 1923 while completed and operated
Kirthar ranges and Tharparkar high.
in 1955. Kotri is located geographically
● Tectonic
at 25021’49.69”N and 68018’04.96”E
with 80 feet elevation from MSL (Mean
Tectonic Continental Drift theory by Al-
Sea Level). Elevation is gently dip from
fred Wegener German scientist in 1915.
westward to southward along Kirthar
Tectonic (I.B.Qadri, 1995. Peter K.
ranges peak about 1300 feet and
Zeitler et al, 2001), setting of Kotri area
Tharparkar high. Hyderabad city lo-
studied complex structure folds, horst
cated at the north of Kotri and bank of
and graben deformed due to the colli-
Indus river. In east Tharparkar an arid
sion of Indian plate subducted into
hot tropical desert region located. In
Eurasian plate in westward along
south Thatta city widespread through
MBT(Main Boundary Thrust). Indian
coastal areas, while in southwest
plate accelerated1 northward in counter
Karachi mega city is located at the coast
clockwise with 16cm/year. Consequent
of Arabian Sea.
of subdction high rise mountain and
hilly area ”Kirthar Ranges” exposed in
westward while Kotri located at foothill

with a gently geosynclines rift

basin. In northwest to eastward
post impacts of the uplift plate
tectonic crystalline basement of
the Indian plate Tharparkar high
rises. These plate movements cre-
ated a rift valley geolsyncline
basin along the westward kirthar
hilly ranges and eastward
Tharparkar high.
● Sedimentation
Sedimentation (I.B.Qadri, 1995.

M. A. A. Beg, 1991) process of
Kotri is in process and this is lo-
cated at the bank of Indus River.
Each year Indus river deposit a
large sediments in geosynclines
basins (million of tones per year). Figure: Soil of the Lower Indus Basin
This is a process of erosion of Hi-
● Soil
malayan mountains and highland ter-
rains.
Soil of the Kotri region exhibits uncon-
Coarser sediments like pebble deposits solidated, loose fine grain sandstone
into the edges and fine grain sandstone with silt and clay (M. A. A. Beg, 1991.
deposited in descending order with river K. Hayat, 2003). Loamy and humid
current respectively. Silt and clay sus- fragments also present along the Indus
pended sediments deposit into deep river. Bank of Indus river fill with high
water calm environment generally at the graded pebble to coarse sandstone.
bed of river. Braided channel deposited Some sort of calcareous and argilla-
gravel to coarse sediments into a fan ceous limestone found with admixture
shape in the course of Indus river at of clay.
Kotri. High sediments sandstone
Color of soil is varying from brown to
medium to fine grain with silt and clay
yellow as content of massive limestone
interbedded.
with red clay. Brownish to yellow sand-

stone founds with abundance. Leaching clay is widespread exposed on surface

organic material grey to black is content due to tectonics and eroding with Indus
with varying percentage. river. Nari formation composed of sand-
stone, limestone and interbedded clay
● Stratigraphy
predominately extended throughout the
Stratigraphy (S.M. Ibrahim Shah, 2009) Kirthar range. Some outcrops of Gaj
of lower Indus basin described the suc- and Nari formation exposed on surface
cession of strata from quaternary, terti- due to the tectonic setting.
ary to Jurassic period as geological time ● Indus River Flow Gradient

scale.
River flow system is mainly depends on
Sukkur lies in lower Indus basin, fluvial
the geosynclines structure which re-
and alluvial early Pleistocene age Lei
sponsible to create a gradient. River flow
conglomerate formation mainly com-
pattern8 (I. Mastuda, 2004) is generally
posed of conglomerate, coarse and fine
change with respect to the gradients
grain sandstone is exposed with low
rate. Low gradient caused a gentle and
thickness while Gaj formation middle
low flow rate of the river conversely high
Quaternary chiefly composed of sand-
gradient provide a higher flow rate of
stone, calcareous with subordinate of
river with high turbidity. Flow pattern
Figure: Stratigraphy of the Lower Indus Basin

varies in high gradient area but flow gradient from Sukkur to Kotri caused a
into course in a stream between in rift great flood or high velocity water with
valleys. Lower gradient means low flow widespread of lower areas adjacent to
rate of river in deltaic region or relatively the course. It is a gentle dip with low
in a flat areas shape of river varies and gradient from Kotri to Thatta and
disperse into small channels. Indus deltaic region in south towards Arabian
river flow in lower Indus basin from sea. Where Indus river stretched over a
Guddu to Sukkur with low gradient (0.5 wide area in channels and distributaries
ft/km) this gradient increase (0.65 with relatively low water flow rate as
ft/km) from Sukkur to Kotri with dis- (0.38 to 0.45 ft/km). This shows a very
tance of 224 km. Kotri to Thatta gradi- low slope to flow Indus river. Thatta to
ent decreased as (0.28 ft/km) shows a Offshore(Arabian Sea) have about 89km
plain area to increase the course of distance graph with 0.45ft-0 ft /km gra-
Indus river with low water flow rate. dient , shows a high gradient or slope to
Thatta to Karachi this gradient in- increase in flow rate of Indus river along
creased from southeast to southwest deltaic region from Thatta to merge into
and decreased (0.22 to 0.43 ft/km) re- offshore (Arabian Sea).
spectively. Indus river flow gradient
regime predict the sharp increased in
Figure: Flow Gradient of the Lower Indus Basin

Chapter:3- Methodology

3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Reconnaissance survey bank of river Indus from Guddu to

Sukkur Barrage 176 Km was covered
In order to delineate the boundaries of and have taken geographical coordi-
the Indus Dolphin Game Reserve, study nates at various accessible locations
was conducted between 2nd – 6th July, along the embankments of river Indus.
2010. A total of 680 km riverain stretch The area of about 504 Km between
between Guddu and Kotri Barrages was Sukkur and Kotri Barrages was covered
surveyed. Out of which, 176 km up- from accessible locations from right and
stream on the left bank of river Indus left banks of river Indus. All the loca-
was surveyed and obtained geographi- tions were marked by GPS and water
cal coordinates on various locations samples were also collected from differ-
through GPS. Similarly on the right ent locations for Physico-chemical and

Microbiological analysis. serve. Length of the river Indus within

Game Reserve is 176 Km and total area
All the geographical coordinates and
of the Game Reserve is approximately
other related information were provided
2268 Sq. Km.
to Pakistan Space and Upper Atmos-
phere Research Commission (SU-
3.2 Dolphin Surveys
PARCO). The GIS section of SUPARCO
has developed maps on the basis of the
Low-water season was selected for the
information provided by the survey
study of abundance and distribution of
team. These satellite maps showing the
Indus river dolphins. Visual Surveys
exact location of major embankments
(Downstream) was conducted in the en-
on left and right banks of the river
tire length of the Dolphin distribution
Indus. The area between Guddu and
stretch using boats (with a speed limit
Sukkur Barrages clearly marked on
of 4-6 Km/hr). Four (4) observers have
both sides of the river Indus showing
participated, one each on the right and
the boundaries of the Indus Dolphin
left sides, and one in the front of the
Game Reserve and also showing buffer
boat. A fourth observer served as data
zones on both sides of the Game Re-
recorder and also searched for dolphins
Team of scientistis watching dolphin

when not filling out the data forms in of a range of abundance estimates,
the back of the boat. The boat-based rather than an absolute count, which
line transect method was adopted in have not reflected the inherent uncer-
which transect were sampled by four tainty about the actual number of ani-
dependent observers stationed in differ- mals present in a certain area (Smith &
ent directions (right, left, front and Reeves, 2000b).
back) with each observer searching an
Sex of the adult individual was deter-
angle of 1200 at an observer eye height.
mine on the basis of shape and size of
River Channels were also covered with
its beak, which is longer and up-curved
boat without engine.
in female dolphin and clearly visible
since beak exposure is in accordance to
Guidance will be sought from a
each surfacing mode however, in sub
1:50,000 Topographical Map to locate
adult, juveniles, and calves, sexual di-
the dolphin habitats and write notes.
morphism is not apparent. It was diffi-
Maximum care was taken of the visibil-
cult to differentiate between juveniles
ity during the survey. Avoided
and 1-2 years old calves. These juve-
Foggy/high wind days during the sur-
niles and calves were placed in to two
vey, although bad weather conditions
classes (Young and baby).
has caused some delay during the sur-
vey.
During the survey following infor-
mation was collected and recorded.
Sightings made by the teams together
are pooled for calculating encounter
rates and the best minimum abundance 1. Speed of boat
estimate. Global Positioning System
2. Number of dolphins
(GPS) is used to record the distance
travelled and the geographical coordi- 3. GPS Reading
nates of dolphin sightings. The popula-
tion abundance has check by Direct 4. Wind speed
Count method on the given habitat by
spending at least 1-2 hours around the 5. Water Temperature
sighting spots.
6. Water PH
Group sizes were also recorded accord-

7. Water Sampling
ing to best, high and low estimates. This
allow us to evaluate sightings in terms 8. Sampling of plankton for qualita-

tive and quantitative analysis 3.4 Indus Dolphin Reserve
9. Sampling and observed floral and

Geographical Coordinates: 28°01’N
faunal diversity 069°15’E,
10. Water depth Area: 125,000 ha
11. Distance covered during the day The Dolphin Game Reserve was de-
clared on 24th December 1974 under
12. Time
Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance
1972. A 176 km stretch of the River
13. Fishing activity
Indus between two irrigation barrages
Double counts are avoided by maintain- Guddu and Sukkur was declared Indus
ing close communication among the ob- Dolphin Game Reserve. The Game Re-
servers. The number of young’s, defined serve is surrounded by some marshy
as <2.0 m long (Brownell, 1984), while areas and Riverine Forests on the adja-
babies, defined as <1.0 m long were also cent floodplains.
be recorded. This simple survey tech-

The Indus Dolphin Reserve is situated
nique can be applied by a small team to
in the Sukkar Civil Division, from the
monitor long-term population trends in
Sukkar Barrage upstream to the Guddu
any river stretch with slight modifica-
Barrage near Kashmore, northern
tion if needed.
Sindh province. The site is a good rep-
resentative example of a natural wet-
3.3 Mapping of Dolphin Re-
serve and Distribution
Range
What are Game Reserves?
Based on the above observations, dol- Government may declare any area to be a game
phin sighting spots and the range of reserve where hunting and shooting of wild ani-
their distribution was mapped. These mals shall not be allowed, except under a special
maps have identified the hotspots in the permit, which may specify the maximum num-
river systems and the range of distribu- ber of animals or birds that may be killed or cap-
tion of dolphins in the study area. tured and the area and duration for which such
permits shall be valid.

land, featuring the perennial river flow ities. Seasonal agriculture is carried out
within two earthen dikes. This particu- during the low water period. The sur-
lar stretch of the river is very important rounding communities use the water of
for the survival of more than 500 re- the river for irrigation and domestic
maining individuals of the formerly purposes. The area is surrounded by
common Indus dolphin Platanista the historic Sadhu bella Hindu shrine
minor. This unique species is endemic and Satinjo Astan Muslim cemetery.
to Pakistan and listed on Appendix I of
CITES and the IUCN Red List 2000.
Pond areas near the two barrages also
provide habitat to migratory waterbirds.
Originally sea creatures, the Indus dol-

phins adapted to river life as the Indian
subcontinent rose. Only 150 individuals
were recorded between the two barrages
during a survey in 1974 to 1975. How-
ever, their numbers have increased
since the establishment of the reserve.
During the midwinter waterbird census
in 1996 to 1999, 4,000 to 5,000 water-
birds were counted. The marshy areas
are typified by grasses such as Saccha-
rum spontaneum, Phragmites karka
and Typha spp. Riverine scrub is domi-
nated by Tamarix dioica. Riverine
forests are predominated by Acacia
nilotica and Prosopis cineraria.
The River area is owned by the Sind Ir-

rigation and Water and Power Depart-
ment, and the surrounding riverine
forests are under jurisdiction of Sind
Forests and Wildlife Department. The
river is used for fishing, boat trans-
portation and limited recreational activ-

Baseline Study of Indus Dolphin Guddu Barrage to Kotri Barrage

Chapter:4- Diversity of the

Study Area

4 DIVERSITY OF THE
STUDY AREA
4.1 Fauna hedgehog Hemiechinus spp. fox Vulpes
bengalensis and Jackal Canis aureus.
The Indus River is the home to one of The holes of Smooth coated otter Lutra
the few species of freshwater dolphin perspicillata can be seen on the bank of
worldwide, the Indus River dolphin Pla- the River Indus.
tanista minor and numerous species of
More than 150 species of birds were re-
distinctive fishes, many of which live in
ported from the Indus River system, in
or migrate through the waters of the
which 2 are threatened namely Marbled
Indus River. The river Indus is the main
teal and Sociable lapwing. Beside these
source of freshwater in supporting the
2 some others are near threatened.
freshwater biodiversity as well as the
During survey we have observe total 86
freshwater supply. The other most sig-
species of birds from the river and its
nificant fish species are found in Indus
associated areas.
River Tenualosa ilisha Palla or River
Shad which is anadromous (migrates The freshwater turtles found in the
from sea to freshwater) and the Barra- Indus River can be categorized in to 3
mundi Lates calcaifer catadromous (mi- groups; the Brown River turtle
grates from freshwater to sea). Kachuga smithi, The Indian Saw backed
turtle K.tecta and Brahminy River turtle
In addition to Indus River dolphin, the
Hardella thurgi. Soft Shell Turtles in-
river is home to a number of endemic
cluding Indian Flapshaped turtle Lisse-
fishes, including Indus baril Barilius
mys punctata Spotted pond turtle
modestus, Indus garua Clupisoma naziri
Geochlemys hamiltoni True Soft Shell
and rita catfish Rita rita. Several snake-
Turtle including narrow headed soft
head fishes also live here, including
shell turtle Chitra indica, Indian soft
giant snakehead Channa marulius. The
shell turtle Trionyx gangeticus. Among
Riverine forest of Indus has highly valu-
snakes found in the Indus River and its
able as wildlife habitats for mammals.
surroundings are; Chequered keel back
Hog deer Axis porcinus Jungle cat Felis
snake Natrix piscator, dark bellied
chaus fishing cat Felis viverrina man-
marsh snake Xenochrophis ceraso-
goose Herpestes edwardsi, H. auropunc-
gaster, striped river snake Enhydris
tatus porcupine Hystrix indica,

pakistanica, Indian python Python molu- has been heavily persecuted. Other
rus, Dhaman Ptyas mucosus, striped mammals include Canis aureus, Felis
keel back Amphiosma stolata, Indian chaus, Sus scrofa cristatus and Lepus
cobra Naja naja, these are inhabitants nigricollis. A complete list of mammals
of muddy banks of rivers and canals, observed in the area during survey
where thick grasses with other natural mentioned in Annexure.
vegetation like Typha, Tamarix and
● Smooth-coated Otter (Lutro-
Prosopis are available. The Indian mon-
gale perspicillata)
itor lizard Varanus bengalensis not only
share the same habitat but is also The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale per-
widely distributed in the surrounding spicillata) is a semiaquatic species be-
areas. longing to the Mustelidae family of order
Carnivora and is one of the two species
4.1.1 Mammals of otters in Pakistan (Roberts, 2005). It
is reported as Near Threatened (NT) ac-
The Indus Dolphin Platanista minor and cording to IUCN Red List of Mammals of
Smooth-coated Otter Lutrgale perspicil- Pakistan (Sheikh & Molur, 2005). The
lata are present in the river in small species is distributed throughout the
numbers, and the Hog Deer Axis porci- Indomalayan eco-zone and its distribu-
nus still occurs in the area, although it tion in Pakistan is along the Indus River
Wildbore Permanent Feature of Riverine Forest

recent survey of Indus Dolphin, smooth

coated otters were seen at many occa-
sions but it’s clear sighting were ob-
served at the bank of Indus river near
Shah Balo at N 270 47’ 07.2” E 0680 55’
08.1” location.
4.1.2 Reptiles and Amphibians
There are eight species of turtle are

exist in these eight spices of freshwater
turtles belonging to six genera from
Pakistan. Among these eight species,
Four species of freshwater turtles are
Smooth coated otter near shahbaloo
listed in appendix I, while three are
and its tributaries. (Roberts, 1997). listed in appendix II of the CITES. Ap-
pendix I lists species that are the most
The Smooth otter prefers plain areas
endangered among CITES-listed ani-
and is found near rivers, canals, lakes
mals and plants.
and fish ponds surrounded by thick
vegetation especially Typha spp., Frag- Saw back Turtle (Kachuga tecta), Indian
mites spp. and Saccharum spp. (Khan soft Shell Turtle (Aspideretes gangeti-
& Hasnain, 2008; Khan et al. 2008, cus), Peacock Softshell Turtle (Aspi-
2009). Otters are considered as an indi- deretes hurum) are Appendix I lists
cator species for the health of wetland species while Indian Flap shell Turtle
ecosystems due to being sensitive to (Lissemys punctata), Brown River Turtle
degradation, when considering the food (Kachuga smithii) are belong to Appen-
chain (Roberts, 1997). Overall popula- dix II lists species. The Appendix II lists
tion of this species is on decline. Vari- species that are not necessarily now
ous threats to the species identified threatened with extinction but may be-
during the field surveys included hunt- come so unless trade is closely con-
ing, habitat degradation due to pesticide trolled. Beside these species of
use for fishing and cultivation along the Freshwater Turtles one species of
river banks, water pollution and compe- agama (lizard), one species of monitor
tition and conflicts between otters and lizard and a toad was recorded during
fishermen. (Khan et al. 2008). During the survey.

Freshwater turtle in the seepage area of River Indus
Since 1990, there is worldwide decline 4.1.3 Avifauna

in amphibian populations and species
disappearances. Various factors have River Indus and its associated tributar-
been attributed for this alarming trend, ies provide critical habitats for birds.
but the single factor that has been of The major attraction for the water birds,
worldwide importance is habitat loss both resident and migratory species.
(Klesecker et al., 2001). Other aquatic Vegetation on both sides of the river
reptiles including water snakes and ter- provide ample habitat to forest birds
rapins (freshwater turtles) were and associated agriculture areas are the
Observed during the survey. Through- source of food for many species. This
out the world, about 228 species are survey period falls in the non migratory
found in various freshwater ecosystems. period and all the birds observe during
Most of the reptiles are semi aquatic the survey are resident and locally mi-
and they come to land to reproduce grant.
(WCMC, 2000).
During the current survey a total of 42
species were recorded in (Annexure).

fied according to Talwar and Jhingran

(1991) and documented as common
ichthyofauna of the Indus River. The list
does not contain non-commercial
ichthyofauna because the fishermen
only concentrate on fishing of commer-
cial fish.
4.1.5 Invertebrates
Animal species are far more diverse and

Large Egret Egretta alba numerous in inland waters than plants.
Apart from fishes, invertebrates form
4.1.4 Icthyofauna an important group. The important
groups include sponges, flatworms,
The fish fauna was observed at the mollusks, polychaete worms,
landing centers visited during the sam- oligochaete worms, crustaceans, insects
ple collection from the Indus River. The and numerous parasitic species in var-
fish fauna was also checked in the fish- ious groups. As on land, insects are the
ermen’s catch. The fishes were identi- most diverse group of organisms in in-
Fisherman with their catch

land waters. Unlike terrestrial faunas, 4.2.1 Agriculture

where beetles (Order Coleoptera) are the
most diverse, flies (Order Diptera) ap- Traditional agriculture in the riverine
pear to be by far, the most abundant area is based on Sailabi (Flooded) culti-
group in inland waters. Invertebrate di- vation i.e., cultivation on preserved
versity of freshwater ecosystems of Pak- moisture for crops like wheat, oil seeds,
istan is not properly documented. It is winter vegetables, and melons, which
estimated that about five thousand all are winter crops. Kharif (summer)
species may exist in inland waters of cultivation is mostly dependent on tube-
Pakistan. During recent survey two well water is led from the main stream
species freshwater prawns and two or Dhoros to low lying flat lands. Tube-
species of insects were observed. well irrigation is limited mostly to sug-
arcane but some time cotton, sorghum,
4.2 Flora fodder, summer vegetables and summer
oils are also raised. Use of tube-well
There are around 6000 plant species in water for raising mainly sugar cane
Pakistan of which 300 are endemic (5% shows the general trend in use of
of the total flora). Wetland plants are pumped water for value added crops. It
specially adapted to waterlogged soils is encouraging that the future trend
and are an important resource for peo- would mainly be to grow value-added
ple living in wetland environs. Wetlands crops, rather than conventional cereal
plants are highly productive in water- culture or fodders which are un-eco-
logged conditions. Wetlands plants can nomical to grow on tube-wells or lift
be divided as emergent, submerged and pumps from Dhoros and are marginal
floating leaves plants. on canal water even in irrigated areas.
At present winter crops grown in the
This study was made between Guddu
riverine area are winter vegetables, fod-
barrage to Sukkhur barrage and from
der, wheat, oil seeds, pulses and root
sukkur barrage to Kotri barrage. Dur-
crops specially onions, carrots and
ing our study we surveyed varied type
sweet potatoes. Melons and water-mel-
of habitat which included Indus river
ons also form important non-tree fruit
bank Katcha areas and irrigated agri-
crops. Sugarcane where ever grown is
culture
the annually crop.

4.2.2 Land preparation gle super phosphate are used if avail-

able. Fertilizer use is, however, arbitrary
Land is generally prepared by plough. as no locally tested fertilizer recommen-
Although tractors are available in all dations are available.
major valleys. Farmers use little me-
Non timely availability of chemical fer-
chanical traction because of small plot
tilizers and high prices due to black
size and of steep terraced land. For land
marketing are the main causes for
preparation, mainly draft animals are
limited use of fertilizers otherwise rec-
used while tractors are mainly used for
ommendations are available locally
transport. The fact that many farmers
have only one draft animal or no draft
4.2.4 Natural Vegetation
animal at all, confirms that a large pro-
portion of farmers depend on others’ an-
The vegetation of the project area was
imals for land preparation and other
assessed in two steps i.e., downstream
operations as well. Households possess-
survey was carried out from 25th Feb –
ing only one head share with others.
04th March 2011 while upstream sur-
vey from 15th Apr – 24th April, 2011. A
4.2.3 Cultural practices
total of 105 plant species belonging to
81 genera and 36 families have been
Almost all field operations between land
identified. Of them, 15 grass species
preparation and harvesting, such as
(Poaceae family) have been identified,
sowing, thinning, weeding and fertiliz-
which include ground covers, annual to
ing are done manually and/or with Im-
perennial herbs, succulent herbs, sub-
plements. Farmyard manure is used by
shrubs to hardy shrubs to perennial
all farmers and is given at a rate of 10-
grasses and the trees. This much num-
20 t/ha to wheat in the double cropping
ber of plant species is reflective of the
zone or to maize in single cropped
fact that this ecosystem is highly pro-
areas.
ductive and the magnitude of alpha di-
Manure application is, however, re- versity of the Indus Dolphin Reserve is
ported to be decreasing as an increasing also high. The major plant families
shortage of fuel-wood is compensated which contributed in the formation of
by using manure for fuel. Chemical fer- vegetation in the area are Poaceae
tilizer is used by many farmers mainly (Grass Family = 14.30%), followed by
in the form of urea and di-ammonium Asteraceae (7.88%), Fabaceae (6.75%),
phosphate (DAP) nitro-phosphate/sin- Mimosaceae (5.70%), Boraginaceae

Indus River and associated Riverine Forests
(4.80%), Chenopodiaceae (3.90%) and 4.2.5 Aquatic Flora

Amaranthaceae, Capparidaceae, Con-
volvulaceae, Malvaceae and Nyctagi- Aquatic plants play significant role in
naceae (2.88%) each. fresh water, brackish or marine aquatic
ecosystems. They help removing the nu-
In addition to Xerophytes, Salt tolerant
trients and other pollutants from
plant species are also recorded from the
streams and provide a habitat for fish,
site i.e., Halophytes which are equally
shrimp and other aquatic species and
important in contributing the manifold
provide forage for waterfowl. According
benefits not only to the environment but
to a broader definition, “all those plants
also to the masses. All the recorded
that at least spend part of their life cycle
plant species are very important as far
in partially submerged conditions are
as biodiversity is concern. The alpha-
regarded as aquatic species”. In our
betical checklist of species along their
survey aquatic flora was found com-
family, life form and habit is provided
pletely out of picture. However, plant
(Table ). The contribution of plant fami-
scientists reported few aquatic species
lies in the vegetation of project area is
previously from the Indus River. But
also summarized in (Table )
unfortunately, we didn’t see any of the
aquatic plant species which were men-

due to their diverse ecolog-

ical services and useful liv-
ing resources such as
reducing silt load from in-
coming waters, reducing
erosion by buffering wave
action and harbouring fish,
medicinal and edible plants
and maintaining healthy
web of life.
Pistia spp. In contrast to aquatic flora,

marginal flora is found flourishing quite
tioned by others in past. The recent ca- well. Noteworthy marginal plant species
tastrophe gravely affects the biotic and include Typha angustata (Pollens of
abiotic components of the region and Typha angustata are used in a tradi-
consequently, results in the loss of tional Korean medicine “Silsosangami.”
aquatic flora, as the floating / partially Leaves are used for mating). Phragmites
sub-merged plant species are washed karka (Decoction of the root is orally
out by the flood. This is not only the given acts as diuretic and used in kid-
matter of concern for flora but fauna do ney, gall bladder’s stones and bleeding
suffer by the unavailability of the
hydrophytes, which they utilize
primarily for their food purpose
and secondarily for their breed-
ing ground.
4.2.6 Marginal Flora
The province of Sindh comprises

of many wetlands, which are ei-
ther connected with Indus River
or other seasonal rivers and
streams. Wetlands are more di-
verse and more productive than
Phyla nodiflora
any other terrestrial ecosystems

piles), Persicaria glabra, Tamarix indica, 4.2.7 Associated Riverine Flora

Tamarix dioica (the leaves form an in-
gredient of an effective herbal drug, Forests in Sindh can be categorized into
“Icterine” used against jaundice). Both two distinct types; one that are situated
the species of Tamarix are locally re- inside flood embankment along river
ferred as Lai. Polygonum effusum and Indus are called Riverine Forests and
Kohautia retrorsa. those which are situated outside em-
bankment are called Inland Forests.
Bukan Booti Phyla nodiflora is fre-
The Sindh province owns 0.272 m ha
quently observed creeping branched
Riverine forests, which is about 82% of
herb at the margins of the River Indus.
total Riverine forest area in the country
It was found dominant not only to
which clearly shows that the Sindh
downstream but also to upstream re-
province is rich in Riverine forests.
gion. Its leaves and young shoots are
Riverine forests are one of the important
sometimes used in curing indigestion in
ecosystems of Sindh. These forests
children; its decoction is considered as
along river Indus get annual inundation
cooling agent and used as a demulcent.
during monsoon. The vegetation in
riverine forests is much influenced by
Tamarix indica forest

the frequent change in

erosion and deposition
due to changing course of
the river Indus.The River-
ine Forests of the project
area have canopy of Pop-
ulus euphratica (Bahan),
Prosopis cineraria (Kandi),
Acacia nilotica (Babul),
Tamarix dioica, Tamarix
indica (Lai), Salvadora
persica (Pilu), and Sal-
vadora oleoides (Khabbar)
etc.Bahan Populus eu-
View of man made Forest
phratica is one of the pioneer
indigenous tree species of Pakistan but in the manufacture of paper. Pods are
over the past few years this tree species reported to be effective in urinogenital
showed great decline. Shah Belo is the disorders; the unripe pods are used to
place where Bahan Populus euphratica make ink, a decoction of the bark is
was found dominant. Its wood is used used as a substitute for soap.
for fuel in Sindh. Kandi Prosopis
In addition to these multi-purpose
cineraria is a versatile species, provid-
trees, many other worthwhile small
ing fodder, fuel, food, timber, and
trees / large shrubs are also recorded
shade, as well as enhancing the fertility
which includes Acacia jacquemontii,
of the soil and sand dune stabilization.
Acacia senegal, Calotropis procera, Cap-
The flowers are pounded and mixed
paris decidua, Commiphora stocksiana,
with sugar, and eaten by women during
Commiphora wightii, Cadaba fruticosa,
pregnancy to safeguard them against
Cordia gharaf and Euphorbia caducifolia
miscarriage. The flowers are also valu-
etc.
able in honey production. Babul Acacia
nilotica is a good soil binder and in-
creases soil fertility through nitrogen
fixation. Good quality Babul gum is
used in calico-printing and dyeing, as a
sizing material for silk and cotton, and

4.2.8 Medicinal Plants These species have been recorded in

places of riverine forest around both
Aussain and Sher (1998) listed the fol-
sides of Indus river. Apparently they
lowing as important medicinal plants,
cover all slopes, aspects and altitudes.
which occur in Riverine forest, are of
All these species show trends towards
high commercial value and over ex-
increasing in protected area but declin-
ploited. Some of these species are be-
ing in unprotected area.
coming rare and endangered due to
Species at serial No. 1,2,4,5,7 and 8
deforestation, overgrazing, over collec-
cannot be cultivated as cash crops in
tion and conversion of land due to ur-
the farm lands. The other three species
banization,.
might be economically profitable com-
The most serious problem is when pared to cash and cereal crops.
plants are uprooted, because their roots
List of Flora of Indus Dolphin Reserve in
are to be utilized in drugs or medicine
the Annexures I
preparation. Species are:
1. Cordia gharaf
2. Calotropis procera
3. Citrullus colocynthis
4. Datura fistuosa
Ba r d ia g ra m s h o win g th e L ife F o rms o f th e flo ra o f

5. Solanum albicaule In d u s Do lp h in R e s e rv e
6. Polygonum effusum
7. Withania sominifera
8. Tribulus terrestris
9. Zygophyllum simplex
Pie-Chart showing floral composition of
Indus Dolphin Reserve:

4.3 Planktons the food chain. Without plankton, there

would be few living organisms on earth.
Plankton is made up of animals and Planktonic organisms are food for a
plants that either float passively in the range of animals. Phytoplankton is the
water, or possess such limited powers first level of our food chain, followed by
of swimming that they are carried from the zooplankton, which feeds on the
place to place by the currents. The word phytoplankton. The zooplankton are
plankton comes from the Greek word then eaten by fish and other crus-
planktos, which means ‘wandering’ or taceans, which all go on to be eaten by
‘drifting’. Plankton dominates the well- big fish. The food chain continues when
lit surface layers of the world’s oceans. these are eaten by mammals.
Plankton range in size from tiny mi- If you think about the food chain logi-
crobes, which are invisible to the naked cally it is easy to understand how, with-
eye. Apart from bacteria, planktonic or- out plankton, all of the oceans animals
ganisms are the most abundant life would die. Without phytoplankton, zoo-
form on earth and play a crucial role in plankton would not have food and die.
Without zooplankton,
smaller fish and
other crustaceans
would have nothing
to eat and they would
die etc, etc. Until fi-
nally you get all the
way out to large
mammals like dol-
phins. It amazing
that the largest
mammal on earth i.e.
Whale is also de-
pendent on plankton
as food source.
A Typical River Food Chain:

4.3.1 Phytoplankton 4.3.2 Zooplankton
They act as producers in the aquatic They are considered as primary con-
ecosystems. Phytoplankton are tiny sumers which are directly dependent on
plants which by the process of photo- the phytoplankton as food. Zooplankton
synthesis, produce food for the con- plays a vital role in the aquatic ecosys-
sumers. Phytoplankton constitute the tems. They work as a bridge in between
natural food of fish larvae, some adult the producers and higher order con-
fish, many crustaceans and insect lar- sumers like fish, prawn, crab and other
vae. Any change in the water quality al- aquatic animals. They transfer energy
ters the phytoplankton community from phytoplankton to the higher order
structure. In lotic environments mostly consumers (nekton) in the aquatic food
diatoms (Bacillariophyta) or green algae chain. Almost all fish and crustacean
(Chlorophyta) are more successful in larvae utilize zooplankton as their nat-
normal condition. If the flow of water ural food when they start feeding. Some
gets slower or the process of eutrophi- adult fish and crustacean continue
cation prevails, the blue-green algae feeding on zooplankton throughout
(Cyanophyta) become dominant in their life. The main zooplankton taxa in
which mostly Microcystis species domi- freshwaters are commonly grouped in to
nate the water body. The change in the Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda. All of
phytoplankton community changes the them play significant role in the aquatic
consumers the zooplankton, which are ecosystems. Any change in water qual-
mainly dependent on phytoplankton as ity causes the change in the phyto-
food. The food is very important in the plankton community and that in turn
aquatic environments where its avail- alters the zooplankton community
ability or unavailability changes the structure and production.
zooplankton community. That is the
Many of the zooplankton are considered
reason why planktonic community
as indicator species of lake type or we
structures in the aquatic environments
can say that appearance of zooplankton
are always changing in different sea-
species reflect the trophic state of the
sons and in different years. So it is very
water body. Mostly the rotifers are con-
important to study the phytoplankton
sidered as opportunists because they
community structure to understand the
appear and disappear very quickly as
broader picture of food chain in aquatic
per situations in the water bodies. Ro-
ecosystems.
tifers and cladocerans have an opportu-

nity of parthogenetic reproduction that Keeping in view above facts the present
enables them to increase their popula- study regarding Indus River biodiversity
tions abruptly. It is therefore, very com- and its relationship with water quality
mon in aquatic environments that there was planned. The objectives of the pres-
is a variation in zooplankton commu- ent study were,
nity based on different seasons. From
● To document the main phytoo-
the above facts, it is obvious to study
plankton flora
the zooplankton community structure
to understand completely the processes ● To document the main zooplank-
in the aquatic ecosystems. ton fauna
Since the biodiversity is considered as ● To document the main ichthy-

actual treasure of any country, it was ofauna
therefore, very important to document
● To examine the relationship of
the species composition and population
water quality with species diver-
dynamics of plankton community for
sity
better understanding of the fertilization
or degradation of Indus River. The
study on plankton diversity linked
to that of the other freshwater
groups contributes for a sound
management and a quick action
aiming recovery and preservation
of the water bodies. According to
Guiller (1984) the number of
species in a habitat is determined
by both historical and ecological
factors. Each species of zooplank-
ton on the other hand has own
feeding requirements and strate-
gies, therefore, the zooplankton af-
fect in several ways on the other
components of the food chain to
which it is primarily related (Piz-
zaro, 1993).
Collection of Plankton Samples

4.4 Mterial and Methods 16. Keti Abad (Sukkur region)
17. Five km away from Keti Abad

4.4.1 Sampling area (Sukkur region)
The sampling area included Indus River 18. Kheha Bindi
from Guddu Barrage to G.M. Barrage 19. Shah Belo

(Kotri Barrage). There were a total of 33
sampling stations selected across the 20. Village Billen Jatoi
whole length from Guddu Barrage to
21. Rohri Barrage
Kotri Barrage, which are as under.
22. Sukkur Barrage
1. Downstream Guddu
23. Downstream Sukkur Barrage
2. Machhko
24. Shikarpur (Rukk Railway station)
3. Din Mohammed Kosh
25. Village Ali Jatoi
4. Jialpur Channel
26. Moen jo Daro (Bulhreji)
5. Jialpur
27. Dargah Muhban Pir
6. Chiti Mosque
28. Dadu Moro Bridge
7. Mohbat bundh
29. Sehwan
8. Sattar Dino Sundrani
30. Lakki Shah Sadar
9. Qadirpur Gas Field
31. Sann
10. Rais Allah Jurio Saand
32. Khanoth
11. Bindi Thano (Ghotki Protection
Embankment) 32. Kotri Barrage (downstream)
12. Soomar Jagirani

4.4.2 Plankton Collection
13. Jagirani
14. Teghani Plankton samples for qualitative analy-

sis were collected using plankton net
15. Keti Abad (Shikarpur forest area) (mesh 55µm), while samples for quanti-
tative analysis were collected using

Kemmerer bottle (1.2 l) and six liters of The other genera of green algae con-
water (1.2×5) was filtered through the tributed, were Cladophora and Stauras-
plankton net. The samples were pre- trum (Table 2).
served with 5% formaldehyde in the
The phytoplankton are considered as
field. The identifications of phytoplank-
natural basic food of most of fish larvae,
ton were carried out by using keys and
some adult fish (planktivorous) and
illustrations given by Prescot (1970) and
other invertebrates in aquatic environ-
their abundance was recorded visually.
ments. Their appearance or disappear-
Zooplankton identifications were under-
ance depends on water quality and
taken by the standard methods, using
seasonality. The occurrence of green
keys and illustrations given by Ruttner-
algae in comparatively higher quantities
Kolisko (1974), Mizuno and Takahashi
in Indus River indicates that the water
(1991) and Battish (1992). Qualitative
quality is not bad. However, the blue-
samples were observed and their abun-
green algae contributed comparatively
dance was recorded visually and the
higher populations at stations 29-33,
samples were thoroughly checked for
where water from Manchar Lake was
rare species. All the zooplankton in
added. It can be speculated here that
quantitative samples were counted and
the inflowing water from Manchar Lake
presented as animals per liter.
brought blue-green algae to the Indus
River and that was allochthonus prob-
4.4.3 Phytoplankton diversity
lem.
The phytoplankton were not much

The Melosira italica, a diatom, usually
abundant but there were different
appears in spring and algal blooms can
species belonging to mostly Chloro-
be seen in most of the lakes on the
phyta, Cyanophyta and Bacillariophyta
onset of spring after the mixing of water.
classes. There were seven genera among
which Pediastrum, Spirogyra and In lotic waters the phytoplankton are
Melosira were very common genera. usually less diverse as compared to
Whereas blue green algae were not lentic environments as a rule. Moreover,
much common, they were found in low the Indus water is highly turbid and
quantities; however, comparatively hence less transparent. Turbidity pre-
higher populations were evident at sta- vents sunlight penetration in the water
tions 29-33. The blue green algae in- that results low algal production. Tur-
cluded Aphanocapsa and Ocillotoria. bidity or its impact upon the underwa-

ter light attenuation influences the phy- amphiceros, B. dorcas and B. qudrident-
toplankton production in riverine sys- tus Species like B. forficula and B.
tems (Reynolds et al., 1994). rubens were very rare.
Rotifers are considered to respond more

4.4.4 Zooplankton diversity
quickly to environmental changes than
(Qualitative)
crustacean zooplankton. They appear to
be more sensitive indicators of changes
Zooplankton community structure was
in water quality (Gannon and Stem-
dominated by rotifers and it was most
berger, 1978). Most of the species be-
diverse group that included 36 rotifer
longing to Brachionus, Keratella and
species. These included 11 species each
lecane are typical cosmopolitan
of Brachionus and Keratella. In terms of
(Mangestou et al., 1991).
population the Keratella genus was
most dominant. The only Dinoflagellate,
In a previous study on plankton com-
Ceratium hirundinella was sporadically
munity of Indus River it was found that
distributed.
there was only one species of Bra-
chionus documented (Baloch, 2000).
The Brachionus genus is considered as
During one decade the zooplankton
an indicator of eutrophic environments.
showed entirely different community
Occurrence of 11 species in the Indus
structure. Previously there occurred
River reflects that the water quality is
only five species of Keratella, whereas
being degrading. Among Brachionus
present study revealed that there were
genus comparatively higher populations
11 species. Among which Keratella bu-
of B.calyciflorus and B.budapestinensis
dapestinensis, K. valga, K. cochlearis
were noted B. calyciflorus and B. bu-
and K. tropica were abundant.
dapestinensis are considered as soft
water species however, B. plicatilis is an
In river systems Keratella is considered
indicator of high trophic status. It
as typical species (Beach, 1960). Ker-
mostly occurs in eutrophic environ-
atella is most common rotifer species in
ments and is euryhaline (can tolerate
temperate to warm water lakes (Fer-
high salinity range) B. plicatilis is con-
nando, 1980a; May, 1983). Another
sidered to be brackish or estuarine
study on rotifers concluded that Ker-
species (Mallin et al., 1995). This
atella species are restricted to riverine
species was less abundant but never-
system occurring at lower salinity
theless consistent. The other Bra-
(Baloch and Soomro, 2004).
chionus species contributed were, B.

The cladocerans contributed with10 rence (number per litre = number of

species. Among those Bosmina lon- colonies or filaments).
girostris, Ceriodaphnia reticulata, Di-
The dinoflagellate, Ceratium was spo-
aphanosoma brachyurum and Daphnia
radically distributed. This species also
lumholtzi were fairly present at most of
was more or less consistent.
the stations. The cladocerans are con-
sidered as the filter feeders. The
Among Rotifera, Brachionus calyciflorus
changes in cladoceran zooplankton over
and B. budapestinensis were main con-
seasons is not much distinct however,
tributors of Brachionus at stations 1-
the population dynamics reveal the
22. However, at station 24-33 another
dominancy of at least one species at one
species Brachionus angularis replaced
time. Coexistence of two species at same
B. budapestinensis. Anuropsis fissa also
time is not common in cladocerans.
occurred at stations 24-33.
Among copepods, there were four

The Keratella was most dominant and
species occurred in the Indus River.
there were three species contributed to
These were Thermocyclops hyalinus,
the community. These were Keratella
Mesocyclops leukarti, Diaptomus sp.
cochlearis, K. tropica and K. valga.
and a Harpacticoid species. Diaptomus
Among these K. valga was most domi-
was fairly present at most of the sam-
nant and consistent in the occurrence
pling stations. The Copepods diaptomus
(Table).
and Thermocyclops hyalinus were found
abundant at stations 25-33. The cladocerans were quantitatively
represented by Bosmina longirostris, Ce-
Mesocyclops leuckarti and Thermocy-
riodaphnia and Diaphanosoma. Among
clops hyalinus usually coexist in sub-
these Bosmina longirostris was compar-
tropical to temperate environments.
atively more consistent in occurrence as
well as dominant quantitatively. The
4 .4 .5 P la n k to n d iv e r sity
other two cladocerans were nevertheless
(Qu a n t ita tiv e )
present.
Low quantities of phytoplankton were The copepods contributed throughout

observed throughout all stations. The all stations in good quantity. The con-
main contributors were Melosira, Pedi- tributors at stations 1-22 were mainly
astrum and Spirogyra genera. These Thermocyclops and Mesocyclops. At
were more or less consistent in occur- stations 23-33 however, Diaptomus

Thermocyclops were the only contribu- 4.5 Physico-Chemical Parame-

tors. ters of study areas
4.4.6 Fish diversity

4.5.1 Environmental Analysis
The fish fauna of the Indus River is di-

Environmental analysis” will help you
verse however, the fishermen mostly re-
understand a specific environment. To
main engaged with the fishing of
analyze something means to study it in
commercial fish. We collected fish
detail, examining each part that makes
species from the fishermen’s catch so
up the whole. “Environmental analysis”
only those fish which were available in
means to study each part of the envi-
the catch could be documented here.
ronment.
The list includes those fish which are
commonly found in the Indus River. The Environmental Analysis is very impor-
indigenous carps included Labeo rohita, tant tool to understand the actual situ-
L. calbasu, L. gonius, Catla catla, Cirrhi- ation of studying area by mean of
nus mrigala and C. reba. The catfish like biological, chemical and physical as-
Clupisoma garua, Eutrophichthys vacha, pects. Environment impact occurred
Heteropneustes fossilis, Rita rita, Sper- when the balance of physical, biological,
ata seenghala and Wallago attu were and chemical chain disturb by human
very common. The only goby Glossogo- as well as by natural activity, it is not
bius giuris was also commonly found. necessary that it cause only negative
The exotic species like Hypo- impacts but some time it may be bene-
thalmichthyes molitrix and Cyprinus car- ficial for surrounding areas.
pio were also common in the Indus
River. Among murrels (snakeheads) all 4.5.2 General Study Character-
three species namely Channa marulius, istic
C. punctatus and C. striatus were also
commonly found in the fishermen’s As for Environmental analysis water
catch. samples were collected from the follow-
ing locations with their geographical co-
ordinates.
Showing the Name and GPS Coordi-

nates of Sampling Location in annexure

pled. Thus representativeness of the

samples largely depends upon how
accurately sampling methodology is
carried out.
4.6.2 Location of Sampling

Sites
Samples were taken from twenty

seven different locations as repre-
sentative to cover the entire area.
4.6.3 Use of Instruments

Measuring Turbidity:
On-site Instruments
The following instruments were used

4.6 Materials and Methodol-
for on-site measurements of water
ogy of Physico-Chemical
quality parameters and field obser-
Samples Collection and
vations.
Analysis
1.Salinity and pH meter (HACH), for
4.6.1 Material and Methods of in-situ measurement
Water Samples Collection
2.Stop watch
The representativeness of data of envi- 3. Digital Thermometers, Ph and

ronmental samples largely depends dissolved oxygen
upon the sampling methodology. The
4. Plastic bottles (2.5 lit)
objective of sampling is to collect a por-
tion of material small enough to trans- 5. Amber glass bottles
port in a convenient way without
6. Water collecting Jar
changing the composition of material
being tested. The objective implies that 7. GPS
the quality and the quantity of compo-
nents under test will be the same in the 8. Sachi disk
sample as in the material being sam- 9. Instrument (plankton)

10.Anemometer standard procedures as described

in Standard Methods for the Exam-
4.6.4 Preparation of Sample ination of Water and Wastewater
Containers (APHA, 1995).
● Sampling Depths
The entire sample bottle which
used for chemical analysis always Water samples were collected from
used disposal new bottles and glass between the surface and one to two
bottle which is used for microbio- feet depth of the river at each sta-
logical analysis they firstly washed tion.
with tap water and rinsed with dis-
tilled water. Finally they were auto- ● Collection Procedures
clave at 121c for 15psi to in destroy

Sample bottles or containers were
the entire microorganism from in-
prepared as per standard proce-
side the bottles.
dure described in Standard Meth-
ods for the Examination of Water
4.6.5 Collection of Water Samples and Wastewater (APHA, before
sample collection attempts were
Water samples were collected from
made to avoid contamination of any
pre-designated locations using
interfering material (paper, twigs,
debris, etc).
● pH
Glass bottles with a volume of 150-

300 ml were used to determine pH.
Sample was drawn with same de-

gree of care as for the oxygen sam-
ples. Contamination with the air
was rigorously avoided.
● Total suspended solids

(TSS)
Approximately 2.5 liter of water

Collection of River Water Sample
sample was collected for the estima-

4.6.6 Methodology of Water

Quality Samples Analysis
In–situ measurement
● pH Measurement
Sample pH was determined using pH

meter. Final reading was taken after
about one minute of constant reading.
Rivers are open systems, where fre-

quent water exchange occurs. Despite
this fact, the organisms that depend on
rivers require some equilibrium. Vari-
Measuring Turbidity
ous indicators give a measure of the
tion of TSS and stored at < 4.00 C. quality of a river. These measurements
include dissolved oxygen, temperature,
Same sample drawn for pH was and pH, which is a measure of hydro-
used to check salinity. gen ion concentration.
● Onboard Preservation and o Acidity in rivers and lakes to

Transportation of Samples acid rain, which decimated
local salmon and trout popu-
All the samples of water after initial lations.
on-board-processing were kept in an
ice box with the maintaining of tem- o Low pH levels cause fish kill by
perature with constantly filling ice in stressing animal systems and
the ice boxes. All these samples were causing physical damage,
kept in a minimum temperature until which in turn makes them
they reached to the Global Environ- more vulnerable to disease.
mental Lab. after they reached to lab
o Other external factors that can
the is started and after analysis the
cause fluctuations in the river
sample is also kept in fridge.
pH include agricultural
runoff, acidic mine drainage

(AWD), and fossil fuel emis- The TSS was measured by the Hach
sions such as carbon dioxide, Method # 8006
which creates a weak acid
when dissolved in river water. ● Total Dissolved Solids(TDS).
o Testing pH levels indicates the

Total dissolved solids (TDS) are a meas-
acidity or alkalinity of a sam-
ure of the total amount of all the mate-
ple. Rivers have some capacity
rials that are dissolved in water. These
to prevent changes in pH by
materials, both natural and anthro-
the structure and composition
pogenic (made by humans), are mainly
of the river bed. However,
inorganic solids, with a minor amount
drastic changes in pH can
of organic material...
have detrimental effects on
river health. The TDS were measured by means of
Evaporation Method
● Temperature Measurement
● Electrical conductivity
Sample temperature was determined by
using thermometer. Find final reading The electrical conductivity of water is di-
after about one minute of constant rectly related to the concentration of
reading. dissolved solids in the water. Ions from
the dissolved solids in water influence
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is com-
the ability of that water to conduct an
prised of organic and mineral particles
electrical current, which can be meas-
that are transported in the water col-
ured using a conductivity meter.
umn. TSS is closely linked to land ero-
sion and to erosion of river channels.
● Chloride
TSS can be extremely variable, ranging
from less than 5 mg L-1 to extremes of
The analysis for chlorides was con-
30,000 mg L-1 in some rivers. TSS is
ducted according to Hach Titration
not only an important measure of ero-
Method (HgNO3).
sion in river basins, it is also closely
linked to the transport through river
● Total Hardness
systems of nutrients (especially phos-
phorus), metals, and a wide range of in-
The analyses for chlorides were con-
dustrial and agricultural chemicals.

Method (EDTA). o PH
The pH of the effluent samples

● Fluoride
fluctuated between 7 and 8.3 indi-
cating that the effluent samples
The analyses for fluoride were con-
are quite neutral. Moreover pH of
the samples is within the permis-
Method (8028).
sible limits as per NSDWQ require-
ment.
● Heavy Metal
The analyses for heavy metals (Lead, o Total suspended solids

Mercury and Arsenic) were conducted (TSS)
according to Atomic absorption spec-
According to NSDWQ maximum
trometer.
permissible limits for TSS are <5 for
water. Almost all the samples have
4.6.7 Results and Discussion of
higher values of TSS. Therefore, the
Physico-Chemical Analy-
distribution of these solids is not
sis
uniform among these samples. The
presence of TSS in the samples in-
Data collected during the course of
dicates both organic and inorganic
study is presented and discussed. The
matters and it can depend upon
sampling was conducted during the
flow of water and season.
month of February 25 to 04 March 2011
and between 15 April to 24 April 2011.
All the sites were selected on the basis o Total Dissolved Solid
of accessibility.
permissible limits for TSS are
● Physical Parameters
1000.0 mg/l for water. Almost all
the samples have lower values of
The results of the physical parameters TDS. Therefore, the distribution of
reported in Annexure these solids is almost uniform
among these samples. The pres-
ence of TDS in the samples indi-
cates inorganic dissolve
contamination of water.

o Chloride earth mineral.

permissible limits for Chloride are o Mercury
250.0 mg/l for water. Almost all the
samples have lower values of Chlo-
permissible limits for Mercury are <
ride. Therefore, the distribution of
this chloride is almost uniform
samples have below detectable limit
among these samples.
values of Mercury. Therefore, the
distribution of this Mercury is uni-
o Total Hardness
form among these samples. Mer-
cury is one of very toxic heavy metal
Hardness is usually expressed in
which is known carcinogenic.
mg/l as CaCO3. According to
NSDWQ maximum permissible lim-
its for Hardness are < 500 mg/l for o Lead
water. Almost all the samples have
lower values of Hardness. Therefore,
permissible limits for Lead are <
the distribution of this Hardness is
almost uniform among these sam-
samples have below detectable limit
ples. The presence of hardness
values of Lead. Therefore, the distri-
shows water contains dissolved cal-
bution of this is Lead uniform
cium, magnesium and other miner-
among these samples. Lead is a cu-
als.
mulative poison and has very toxic
effects on living organisms.
o Fluoride
According to NSDWQ maximum o Arsenic

permissible limits for Fluoride are <
1.5 mg/l for water. Fluoride is oc-
permissible limits for Arsenic are
curred naturally in water. Almost all
< 0.05 for water. Almost all the
the samples have lower values of
samples have below detectable
Fluoride. Therefore, the distribution
limit values of Arsenic. Except
of this Fluoride is uniform among
some sample it means that there
these samples. The presence of Flu-
is some contamination or effluent
oride shows water contains natural
of industry are mixing in the river

water. It is a very hazardous heavy

metal and its presence may be the How Do Coliform Bacteria Affect
result of pollution from weed Human Health?
killers and pesticides containing
Arsenic. Coliform bacteria are used as an indica-
tor to suggest the water is not safe to
consume. Their presence is of concern

4.7 Microbiological Water
in that disease-causing organisms,
Analysis
such as E. coli, fecal coliforms or para-
sites, may be present. The symptoms

Four parameters were selected to ana-
from disease causing organisms may in-
lyze the samples collected from the cov-
clude diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
ered area for dolphin study, which were
cramps or other gastro intestinal dis-
Total Plate count, Total coliforms, Fae-
tress and in severe cases can be fatal.
cal coliforms and Faecal Streptococci.
Most susceptible are infants, elderly
These are routine parameters to analyze
and others with compromised immune
any drinking water sample to check the
systems.
quality of water.
Total plate count/Heterotrophic plate

How Do Coliform Bacteria Get count is used to see the total microbial
Into Water? laod of a given sample as it gives the
overall quality of sample and total col-
It is common to have contamination
iforms are a group of bacteria that are
when maintenance has been performed
found in the soil, in water that has been
on the water supply system. Faulty in-
influenced by surface water, and always
ground sewage disposal systems may
present in the digestive tracts of ani-
also be the source of contamination.
mals, including humans, and are found
Coliforms from animal waste can enter
in their wastes. They are also found in
directly into water supplies but can also
plant and soil material. The most basic
migrate through the soil and contami-
test for bacterial contamination of a
nate the groundwater. This process is
water supply is the test for total coliform
accelerated during spring flooding or
bacteria. Total coliform counts give a
heavy rainfall.
general indication of the sanitary condi-
tion of the water.

Fecal coliforms are the group of the total bacteria, such as streptococci or ente-
coliforms that are considered to be pres- rococci, may have a stronger correlation
ent specifically in the gut and feces of to human sewage, but no indicator has
warm-blooded animals. Because the been identified that is exclusive to hu-
mans.
The ratio of streptococci to fecal coliform

What Are Coliform Bacteria?
was once thought to determine human
Coliform bacteria can result from the versus animal fecal contamination. But,
environment naturally or be fecal in this is no longer though to be reliable
origin. Not all coliform bacteria are because streptococci do not persist long
harmful. However, if found in water, in an open water environment, making
their presencesuggests other disease it difficult to assess true concentrations.
causing organisms may exist in your Enterococcal bacteria seem to be con-
drinking water supply. For example, sistently associated with human sewage
fecal coliform are found in the intes- and subsequent.
tinal tract of warmblooded animals
such as humans, dogs, and deer. Col- 4.7.1 Methodology

iform bacteria have been selected as
the most widely used indicator for the For total plate count, POUR PLATE
bacterial quality of drinking water. The METHOD was used. For this, first the
presence of these bacteria in drinking dilutions of sample were made in steril-
water may signify the well (source) is ized 1/4th ringer`s Solution blanks then
defective, or that there may be prob- I ml of each dilution of sample taken in
lems with the water treatment, or the Petri plates and plate count agar poured
water distribution system. into that and mixed well. All plates were
incubated at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours
after solidification of agar. Then results
were recorded.
origins of fecal coliforms are more spe-
cific than the origins of the more general
For total coliforms, faecal coliforms and
total coliform group of bacteria, fecal co-
faecal streptococci, FILTERATION
liforms are considered a more accurate
method was performed. In which 100ml
indication of animal or human waste
of sample is passed through from a ni-
than the total coliforms. Other intes-
trocellulose filter having pore size of
tinal
0.45 micron. Then this filter is placed

on respective media. For total coliforms in water table which is harmful for ani-
37°C and for faecal coliforms and faecal mals of aquatic habitat. Over grazing
Streptococci 45°C is required for 24 to and cutting of plants and trees also take
48 hours. a part in soil erosion near water chan-
nel.
4.7.2 Results and discussion
4.9 Social Survey
Water Sample analysis report is given in
a Annexure. In a table WHO/USEPA Indus blind dolphin species lie in En-
limits are also given for drinking water. gagdered Specie of Pakistan which are
And according to that standard, all the not very common in pakistan only in
samples were unsatisfactory. some parts of of Sindh and Punjab,
Indus Dolphin occur in good number
4.8 Environmental Impacts mainly due to good protection. Guddu
and Sukkhur barrages is one of the pro-
tected areas of Pakistan, where common
Impact of Soil Erosion and Siltation
Indus Dolphin are frequently seen.
One of the major problems of Indus
River is Siltation. Large scale sand com- According to the local community,
ing from the catchment leads to silta- Indus blind dolphins are commonly
tion further reducing habitat quality. found in Indus basin between two bar-
Intensive grazing along the riverbanks rages Guddu and Sukkhur since long.
leads to trampling of surface grasses However, they posed no problem for
that loosens up the top soil, which then human, except damaging fishing net.
is washed away with the rains. Modern Such losses, though great for a poor
agricultural methods involve deep plow- fisher community, who are demanding
ing that increase runoff with precipita- compensation of their nets damaged by
tion. Extensive deforestation in the the dolphins.
catchment and both sides of the river
further aggravates siltation. This prob- 4.9.1 Local Consultations
lem not only deteriorates the water
quality but also decrease the quantity of Survey was conducted in 26 villages of
light penetration which is essential for Guddu barrage to Kotri Kotri barrage
the phenomena of photosynthesis in The team visited various prominent
river. This affects the bottom plant places in the Indus dolphin reserve area
species and may result low oxygen level to meet with the target audience. Dur-

Consultation with local peoples
ing these meetings a simple, non-tech- ciety and senior citizens in the Indus
nical description of the related dolphin dolphin reserve area were arranged.
status and habitat was given, along Project description was explained in
with an overview of the project’s likely simple language.
human and environmental impact. Fol-
lowing the project description, a discus- 4.9.2 Methodology
sion was held so that the participants
could voice their concerns and opinions. A specific questionnaire was developed
These concerns and suggestions were for the study that consisted of certain
recorded in field notes. Participants open and also close-ended questions. A
were also asked to suggest alternatives total of 400 people in twenty six villages
in case of their particular concerns. around project survey sites were con-
sulted
Public consultation meetings were held
at prominent locations, with major
stakeholders engaged in various activi-
ties e.g, labor, farmers, fisherman, cat-
tle farmer, households. The meetings
with local, fisherman, local residents,
civil servants, representatives of civil so-

4.9.3 Objectives To address these questions both quan-

titative and qualitative methods were
The main objectives of the survey were: used to collect data on differences in
livelihood strategies, wealth and politi-
● basic socio-economic information cal influence, especially as they related
to interactions with wildlife. These in-
cluded:
● income sources and indicators of
wealth
● A questionnaire survey/ semi-
structured interviews
● agriculture and livestock
● Group discussions
● attitudes to wildlife and conserva-
tion ● Discussions/informal interviews
with project officers, district and
● What are the main livelihood village members
strategies practiced in the vil-
lages? ● Use of secondary sources - docu-
ments and literature.
● What variations are there in these S. No Name of Village No of Peo-
livelihood strategies within and ple \
between communities in the val-
ley?
● What are the main ways that peo-

ple interact with wildlife?
● What are people’s attitudes to-

wards conservation, and how
might they react to the provision
of wildlife-derived benefits from a
community-based conservation
programmed?

Guddu Barrage to Kotri Barrage

4.9.4 Result & Discussion of social survey
Indus Dolphin Community Survey

Analysis
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
70% people agreed for conservation of Indus blind dolphin
20% people said Govt. Should pay us in case of damaging net by Dolphin
10% people said we have no concerned regarding Dolphin conservation
10% people said some environmental analysis should con ducted related to
water pollution
Page -51
In search of dolphins

List of Villages Surveyed and Number of People Consulted
S. No Name Of Village No Of People

1 Upstream Guddu 18
2 Machi Goth Machko Kharoor 15
3 Machku 16
4 Ghial Pur Police Station 8
5 Chitti Basti 12
6 Goth Qabool Sondhrani 14
7 Sultan Dino Sondhrani 18
8 Ali Hasan Goth 15
9 Noor Muhammad Somrani 14
10 Kakro Wal Ichotti 13
11 Goth Wali Muhammad Jataoi 15
12 Kheeya Belo Forest 15
13 Keti Shah Forest 12
14 Chak 15
15 Tamachani Pattan 20
16 Manda Dero Ali Waah 17
17 Sadh Belo 16
18 Sukhur Barrage Upstream 25
19 Sukhur Barrage Down Stream 22
20 Shah Khulli Pur 15
21 Kati Pir Sahab(Near 22
22 Bhullar Jee 14
23 Muban Pir 22
24 Fataih Muhammad Jatoi(New Jatoi) 16

25 Near New Jatoi 14
26 Khanot 16

Chapter:5- Result and

Discussion

5 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
5.1 Status
In total from Guddu Barrage to

Kotri Barrage, we had 947 dol-
phin sightings in the study pe-
riod
5.1 .1 Indus River (Between

Guddu – Sukkur Bar-
rages)
Morning preparation during the survey
From Guddu to a Suukur total Dol-

phin were seen in which 804 were mainly
mature 47 were the young and 67 near sultan dino sandhrani, Ali
were baby. At machi goth the dol- Hasan goth, goth Wali Mohammad
phin experts were saw 8 mature and Jatoi monitor 10 to 27 dolphin
four youg baby. Survey team ob- groups (school) were identified in
serveved more than 10 school of dol- which calve juveniles and mature
phin at different GPS location from dolphins were observed.
Guddu barrage to Sukkur barrage
Planning for the next day survey

DOLPHIN COUNTS BETWEEN GUDDU TO SUKKUR BARRAGE
Date River Section Position Group Size

Mature Young Baby
15/4/11 Up streamGuddu 282559.7 0694348.7
15/4/11 Machi Goth 281803.5 0693618.6 8 1
15/4/11 Machko Kharoor 281807.9 0693600.3 5 1 2
15/4/11 Machku 281705.0 0693333.8 7 2 1
15/4/11 Ghial pur police station 281756.4 0693156.5 5 1 2
16/4/11 Chitti basti 281646.5 0692839.5 4 2 1
16/4/11 28160.4 0692614.1 8 1 2
16/4/11 Near Chitti Masjid 281549.1 0692737.7 2 1 1
16/4/11 Goth qabool Sondhrani 281340.9 692540.3 4 1
16/4/11 Sultan Dino Sondhrani 281159.1 692245.2 2 1 2
16/4/11 281108.3 0692253.2 5 2
17/4/11 281108.3 0692253.2 9 2 1
17/4/11 281040.2 692259.1 8 1 2
17/4/11 Near Ali hasan Goth 280923.9 692219.8 5 2 2
17/4/11 280849.7 692214.4 4 1
17/4/11 280717.7 0692116.0 8 1 3
17/4/11 280650.3 0692024.3 9 3 2

17/4/11 280636.0 0691853.0 10 2 2
17/4/11 280637.4 691835.8 1 2 3

17/4/11 280658.6 0691747.8 8 2
Noor muhammad
17/4/11 280738.5 0691706.9 6 1 3
somrani
17/4/11 280736.3 0691539.6 5 2 2
17/4/11 286745.2 0691548.1 9 1 1
17/4/11 286752.1 069155.3 10 1 3
17/4/11 280720.9 0691448.4 3 2 2
17/4/11 280729.9 0691452.3 2 1 1
2
18/4/11 280319.0 691521.0 2 1
18/4/11 280338.9 691521.0 3 1 1
18/4/11 280454.7 0691147.6 9 1 1
18/4/11 280413.3 06946.0 5 1 3
18/4/11 280359.9 0690913.3 10 1
18/4/11 280421.3 0696756.4 8 1 2
18/4/11 280422.4 069726.8 3 1 1
18/4/11 280324.2 0690527.3 6 2 1
18/4/11 280327.8 0690453.1 4 2 2
8/4/11 Kakro wal ichotti 280343.8 0690426.3 10 1 1
18/4/11 280324.2 0690527.3 7 2 2
18/4/11 280327.8 0690453.1 8 2
18/4/11 280343.8 0690426.3 6 1 1
18/4/11 280357.2 0690403.8 4 1 2

18/4/11 2804170.9 0690337.0 6 1 2
18/4/11 280436.2 0690318.1 10 3 1
18/4/11 280354.1 0690157.2 9 2 1
18/4/11 280325.4 0690202.9 8 2
18/4/11 280207.8 0690222.7 12 1 1
18/4/11 280222.1 0690222.9 3 1 3
18/4/11 280207.8 0690222.7 4 2 2
18/4/11 280152.6 690223.4 9 0 2
18/4/11 280115.0 0690214.7 6 1 1
18/4/11 280015.6 0690216.0 3 1 1
18/4/11 275926.4 069238.9 5 2 2
18/4/11 275820.5 0696240.0 10 1 2
19/4/11 275859.8 0690239.2 8 1 1
19/4/11 255719.5 0690219.8 13 1 2
19/4/11 275635.5 0690204.7 5 2 1
19/4/11 275628.0 0690138.9 6 1 1
19/4/11 275612.8 0690134.3 4 2
19/4/11 275417.4 0690243.4 3 1 1
19/4/11 275339.5 0690134.9 8 1 2
19/4/11 275430.3 0690021.1 3 1
19/4/11 275357.9 685919.9 7 1 3

Goth Wali muhammad

20/4/11 275357.1 0685759.1 5 2 1
Jataoi
20/4/11 275448.0 0685753.2 3 1 1
20/4/11 275505.3 0685731.5 5 2 1
20/4/11 275539.1 0685658.6 6 1 2
20/4/11 275555.7 0685621.2 8 1 1
20/4/11 Near M Ilyas channel 275546.3 0685556.2 9 1 2
20/4/11 275512.3 0685547.9 6 2 1
20/4/11 275522.0 0685549.8 7 2 2
20/4/11 275512.3 0685547.8 8 1 1
20/4/11 275428.8 0685549.7 3 1 1
20/4/11 275405.5 0685539.9 5 2
20/4/11 275358.0 0685533.8 4 1
20/4/11 275346.4 0685519.6 10 2 2
20/4/11 275150.9 0685448.2 9 1 3
20/4/11 275130.5 0685458.2 5 2 2
20/4/11 Kheeya Belo forest 275038.5 0685536.2 6 1 1
21/4/11 275019.3 0685545.7 10 3 2
21/4/11 274923.3 0685618.2 2 1 2
21/4/11 274830.2 0685633.1 5 1
21/4/11 27524.2 06894.6 6 1 2
21/4/11 274762.8 0685602.2 4 1 2

21/4/11 Keti Shah forest 274750.4 0685591.9 3 2 1
21/4/11 274714.1 0685508.1 8 2 1
21/4/11 274707.2 06855.8.1 12 1
21/4/11 274552.3 0685508.1 8 1
22/4/11 274539.4 0685515.5 10 1 1
22/4/11 274205.9 0685405.9 7 1 1
22/4/11 274148.7 068533.3 6 1 1
22/4/11 274140.7 068302.6 4 2
22/4/11 274137.1 068251.2 5 2 1
22/4/11 274512.5 0685522.7 4 1
22/4/11 274351.1 0685403.6 9 1 1
23/4/11 274348.6 0685354.7 12 1 3
23/4/11 274239.5 0685349.1 8 0 2
23/4/11 274225.3 06853586 8 1 2
23/4/11 274214.2 0685404.4 13 1 1
23/4/11 274131.3 068313.2 5 1
23/4/11 274129.4 0683132.6 10 2
23/4/11 274144.2 068310.1 6 1
23/4/11 274141.0 068044.0 9 2
23/4/11 274134.1 06801.00 4
Total 651 118 149





are matured and 47 were

young and 67 babies dol-
phin were observed. The pie
chart showing the percent-
Number of Dolphins
Focused Area (Km2)

age of mature and young
population existing be-
tween Guudu and sukkur
Barrages.
Figure:1 Dolphin Numbers encounter in Area (Km2) Survey between Guddu to

Sukkur was conducted in
the last week of April 2011. Most of the
● Interpretation dolphin observed are matured 7 % was
As figure:1 illustration describe density

of dolphins versus study area (km2).
Dolphins with high concentration rate
918 determined between Guddu to
Mature
Sukkur barrages along Indus river this Young
Baby
is a short focused area about 176 km
stretch as compare to the Sukkur to
Kotri a large area about 500 Km river
stretch with low 29 dolphins density.
● Conclusion: matured and only five percent was

young. Pie chart showing percentage of
Highest number of dolphins found in mature, young and baby dolphin popu-
the Indus River within Guddu to lation existing between Guddu to
Sukkur relatively a short area. Contro- Sukkur barrages.
versy of this few numbers of dolphins
exist in between Sukkur to Kotri Bar-
rage a large focused area. Consequently
Guddu to Sukkur barrage Indus River
is a “Dolphin Prone” area.
This survey was conducted in the mid

of April, most of the dolphins observed

5.1.2 River Indus (Between khllipur in which 8 were mature and

Sukkur– Kotri Barrages) only one is young,4 are in sahib (near-
khairpur),2 are in bhullarjee, 2 are in
From Sukkur to Korti the total number muban pir,4 are in fataih Muhammad
of dolphin were 29 in which 27 were Jatoi (new Jatoi),4 are in near Jatoi and
mature and only two were the young 3 are in khanot were observed.
dolphin found. Total 29 dolphin were
observed in 9 are sighting in Shah (I) Interpretation:
As Figure:2 illustration describe dolphin

Dolphin Age Group (Sukkur to Kotri)
density versus observe distance (Km )
3% along Indus River. High number 918
dolphins encountered along the dis-
Mature
Mature tance of 176Km through the Indus River
Young
Young
from Guddu to Sukkur barrages. This
97%
area is famous as “Dolphin Game Re-
serve”. Lower number only 29 dolphins
encountered along the distance of
Number of Dolphin observed during survey between sukkur to Kotri barrages.
Sukkur to Kotri Barrage
Date River Section Mature Young Baby

N 274225.6
26/02/11 SHAH KHULLI PUR 8 2
E0683513.6
KATI PIR SAHAB(NEAR N 274225.6
26/02/11 4
KHAIR PUR) E0683513.6
N 271816.6
27/02/11 BHULLAR JEE 2
E0680843.6
N 271450.6
28/02/11 MUBAN PIR 2
E0680917.6
FATAIH MUHAMMAD N 264950.6
01/02/11 4
JATOI(NEW JATOI) E0675546.7
N 264807.7
02/03/11 NEAR NEW JATOI 4
E0675042.5
N254201.5
03/03/11 KHANOT 3
E0681955.2
Total 29

300km through the Indus River from young dolphin was observed. The pie
Sukkur to Kotri Barrages. chart showing the percentage of ma-
ture and young population existing
1000
900 between Sukkur and Kotri Barrages.

800
700
600 5.2 Data analysis

500 Number of Dolphins
Number of Dolphins
400 Focused Distance

Focused Distance(Km)
(Km)
300 The dolphin populations count esti-

200
100
mates were made on the basis of
0
Guddu-Sukkur Sukkur-Kotri
those inhabiting the main river Indus
Figure: 2 Number of Dolphin encounter in Distance (Km) and its tributaries. All the counts
were combined to form the results. To
(II) Conclusion: reduce the chances of over estimating
or double counting, observation spots
A higher number of dolphins encoun- were set on the basis of approximate
tered between Guddu to Sukkur bar- distance i.e. 0-100 m, 100-200 m, and
rages with short distance as compare from 200-300 m. Animals of same size
to Sukkur to Kotri barrage relatively a counted as a single individual. But if
long distance with lower density of the animals sighted within 300 m
dolphins through the Indus River. area were of different size class, they
Consequently Guddu to Sukkur bar- were taken as two different individu-
rage Indus River is a “Dolphin Prone” als.
area.
River–segment from Guddu to Sukkur
This survey was conducted in the (176 km) was surveyed on a simple-
month of March, most of the dolphins boat (without engine) driving down-
observed are matured and only two stream at slow speed i.e. 4-6 km/hr.
young dolphin were observed. The pie Four observers with boatman de-
chart showing the percentage of ma- ployed on front, right side, left side
ture and young population existing and behind on motor boat recorded
between Sukkur and Kotri Barrages. observations to make maximum
counts. Sighting distance of dolphins
This survey was conducted in the first
from observers, surfacing-intervals
week of March which is not a breeding
and group size were noted. With in-
season, most of the dolphins ob-
crease in sighting distance and sur-
served are matured and only one
facing-intervals, the chances of

missing some of animals from obser- 2.20. Sighting probabilities were de-
vation are increased. Correction factor rived on the basis that all dolphins
(CF) was worked out from sighting present within distance 0-100m from
probability for distance and surfacing- observe were 100 percent visible on
interval probability to compensate the surface of water (P= 1.0) due to
missing population. small sighting within this distance.
With increase in distance from 100-
Correction factor (CF) = 200m and 200-300m, the probabili-
Surfacing-Interval Probabilities ties of sighting dolphins on surface of
Probabilities for sighting distance
water decreased as 0.26 and 0.21 re-
Estimated population = spectively (Table: 1)
No. of dolphin sightings x CF X Mean
group size 82 percent dolphin population was
Mean group size was worked out di- visible on water surface within dive-
viding total number of dolphins ob- time ranging from (0-120) seconds,
served by total number of sites, where 15.0% (120-240) seconds and 3.0%
dolphin or dolphin groups were ob- (240-360) seconds. With increase in
served (Reeves and Leatherwood, surfacing interval, probability of visi-
1994). bility of dolphins on water surface de-
creased from 0.82 to 0.15 and 0.03
Population estimates were based on respectively (Table: 1).
Probability Methods. Sighting dis-
tance and dive time were considered According to the results 82.0 percent
two important parameters in dolphins dolphin population had surfacing-in-
study. terval upto 120 seconds and this pop-
ulation was observed 100 percent
5.2.1 Results and Discussion on (P=1.0) within distance 0-100m from
Population observer. 15.0 percent population
with probability (0.26) within distance
Population estimates were based on 100-200m and, 3.0 percent popula-
Probability Methods. Sighting dis- tion had surfacing-interval 240-360
tance and dive time were considered seconds and was observed with prob-
two important parameters in dolphins ability(0.21) within distance 200-
study. 918 dolphins were observed at 300m (Table: 1). (Maan and
416 different (104 positions with 4 ob- Chaudhry 2000)
servers) sites with mean group size of

1171.37 dolphins were estimated to

be present from Guddu-Sukkur Bar-
rage out of which 918 dolphins were
actually observed. According to esti-
mates 253 dolphins could not be ob-
served due to increase in sighting
distance, surfacing-interval and (inac-
cessible channels, tributaries) were
missed from counting (Table: 1).
While the Estimated probability pop-

ulation according to the (Table-1) is
1171.37 from the actual population
947 is increased about 19.2%. .
Comparison between two dolphin pop-

ulation estimated methods (Probabil-
ity and Average Mean %) it is about
19.2% between the actual counts and
probability estimation. Similarly, as
an average mean percentage in-
creased during last five years is
21.01% showing a good counter check
with negligible increased ratio.

Table: 1 Estimated population of Indus dolphin from Guddu to Sukkur barrage
Sighting Surfacing- Sighting Surfacing- Correction Mean Estimated

Distance(m) Intervals Probability Interval Factor Group Population
(Seconds) for Probability (CF) Size
distance
0-100 0-120 1.0 0.82 0.82
100-200 120-240 0.26 0.15 0.58 2.20 1171.37
200-300 240-360 0.21 0.03 0.14
Figure 3: Year – wise Dolphin Population Trend (1972 to 2011)

5.3 Dolphin Population and 5.3.1 Methodology

Probability Estimation
Previous studied data of the Indus Dol-
A statistical approach applied on previ- phin available from Sindh Wildlife De-
ous available data from the Sindh partment. This forty years data
Wildlife Department related to the Indus (1971-2011) of the Indus dolphin popu-
River Dolphin population in Game Re- lation showed a variance and lack of co-
serve Area from 1971-2011. These ordination. It is required to find out an
thirty years data showed continues in- average mean ratio for each year. Data
creased in dolphin population with a arrange in five years interval to calcu-
variant ratio in different study periods. late the average mean ratio as shown
It is a need to find out a constant ratio (Table: 2). These are six values of aver-
increased in dolphin rate each year. An age mean ratios which further calculate
average mean of population per year to find out a single average mean value
calculated and applied for each year to ratio about 6.89% for one year. Stan-
verify the resultant. This approach ap- dard error (± 4.9%) and probability ap-
plied to predict the population of dol- plied for each study years. This
phin for the future period (2011-2030) standard error calculate to find out the
with standard error and probability. variation in values from mean value,
There are three results estimated as, hence two values determined under ap-
plication of the standard errors as
● Average mean dolphin population
upper and lower ratio 11.79% and
ratio (6.89%)
1.99% respectively as shown (Table: 3).
● Error corrected increase in dol-
phin population ratio (11.79%) About 947 Dolphin populations in the
Game Reserve Area have counted in
● Error corrected decrease in dol- 2011. An average mean ratio 6.89% ap-
phin population ratio (1.99%) plied to find out the mean population of
the dolphins about 1012. Standard
Probability also applied for each three error ratio of 11.79% showed 1059 dol-
estimated categories of the Indus dolphins, and 1.99% showed 966 dolphins
phin population to predict the chances with probabilities of 0.326 (at mean av-
of population rate in future time period. erage ratio), 0.327 (standard error
11.79%) and 0.327 (standard error
1.99%) respectively. From the calcula-
tion three dolphin populations deter-

mined as, average mean, standard error For One Year Average Population Mean
corrected lower ration and standard (µ)% = 34.44/5
error corrected upper ratio (1012, 1059
Average Mean (µ) % per Year = 6.89 (For
and 966). As well average mean popula-
One Year)
tion used for next year as counted dol-
phin and this same methodology
Standard Error = σ/√n
applied to find out the population of dol-
phin for the next each year period
(2011-2030) as shown (Table: 2 & Standard Deviation
Figure: 4-5).
5.3 2 Data Analysis
Statistical analytical method applied to

(Xn - µ)2 = 7779.858
calculate the average mean ratio for five
years interval and find out this ratio for
N= 18
one year. Standard error calculated for
each year population in a ratio form. σ = 20.79
Probability calculated for each popula-
Standard Error (S.E)
tion after applied average mean and
standard errors.
S.E = σ / √n
5.3.3 Statistical Calculations Error = 21.67/√18 = ±4.90
6.89 -4.90< 6.89< 6.89 + 4.90 =

AVERAGE MEAN (µ) % = ∑X /n
1.99<µ<11.79
For Five Years Interval ∑X =
1.99< 6.89< 11.79
17.21+63.83+14.30+9.75+12.60+88.95
=206.64 (from 1981-2011)
Z- Factor
n = 6
Average Mean (µ) % = 206.64/6
AVERAGE MEAN (µ) % = 34.44 Where,

(for Five Years)
X= values of sample

µ= Mean value tion for each year varying or accidental

ratio of sharp increase or decrease may
σ= Standard Deviation
require some corrections.
Standard Normal Distribution

5.4.1 Predicted Mean Population
Average Mean % for years (A.M) = 6.89

xn
Increased Mean Population (I.M.P) =

A.M/100 x A.P
Where
Predicted Mean Population = I.M.P + A.P
Z= a factor to measure statistical effect

5.4.2 Predicted Corrected Popula-
size
tion (Upper Limit)
P= Probability
Correction in % for years (C) = 11.79
5.4 Predicted Population Esti- xn
mation Formula for Years
Increased Corrected Population (I.C.P) =
C/100 X A.P
This formula is based on average mean
dolphin population ratio (6.89%) in-
Corrected Population = I.C.P + A.P (for
creased per year calculated from old
upper limit)
data during 1972 to 2006. Standard er-
rors applied to correct the average mean
5.4.3 Predicted Corrected Popula-
population ratio increasing. There are
tion (Lower Limit)
two standard error ratios calculated
±4.9 which add/subtract into the ratio
Correction in % for years (C) = 1.99 x n
of average mean and find out 1.99%
and 11.89% ratios as upper and lower Increased Corrected Population (I.C.P) =
limits of average mean dolphin popula- C/100 X A.P
tion each year.
Corrected Population = I.C.P + A.P (for
This calculation fit for the range be- lower limit)
tween 2-12% increase in actual popula-
Where;

n = Number of years Predicted Corrected Population

(Upper Limit)
A.M = Average Mean %
Correction for years (C) = 11.79 x n =
I.M.P = Increased Mean Population
11.79 x 5 =58.95
C = Correction in %
C/100 x A.P = 58.95/100 x 808 = 476
I.C.P = Increased Corrected Population
Corrected Population = I.C.P +A.P = 476

A.P = Actual Population
+ 808 = 1284 (upper limit)
Limitation: Accuracy of this formula
Predicted Corrected Population (Lower
depends on increase in population ratio
Limit)
between (2-12%) each year.
Correction for years (C) = 1.99 x n =

Test Formula to Predict the Popu-
1.99 x5 = 9.95
lation
e.g. Predict and estimate the number C/100 x A.P = 9.95/100 x 808 = 80
of Dolphins in 2011 by using 2006 ac-
Predicted Corrected Population = 80 +
tual population counted 808.
808 = 888 (lower limit)
Number of years (n) = 5
Hence, there are a range of dolphin pop-
Actual Population (A.P) in 2006 = 808 ulation estimated as , the lower limit of
dolphin population 888, middle or aver-
By using formulae to predicted estima-
age limit of dolphin population 1086
tion population of dolphins
and the upper limit of dolphin popula-
tion 1284 for the year 2011.
Predicted Mean Population
The actual dolphins were counted 947

A.M = 6.89 x n = 6.89 x 5 =34.45
during a study in 2011 this figure of
I.M.P = A.M/100 x A.P = 34.45/100 x population is lies between the lower and
808 = 278 middle predicted range. Keeping in view
that, dolphins have faced supper flood
Predicted Mean Population = 278+808 =
in 2010 in Indus River. As a result of
1086
this flood many un-active tributaries

and channels of the Indus River were increase each year. Varying ratio sud-
charged and provided passages for dol- den increased or decrease required
phins to enter in these reactive tributar- some corrections.
ies but during the receding of flood
5.4.5 Discussion
those dolphins entered in these chan-
nels could not find way to comeback
According to the statistical estimation
and stuck in the depression of the
shown in (Table: 2) for the year 2011 ac-
channels. It is also assumed that due to
tual population counted 947 dolphins
the unexpected climatic event has cre-
while average mean population 1012
ated impacts on dolphin’s population
dolphins showed the tendency to in-
but the study and results shows that
crease in the dolphin ratio in previous
the population of the Indus dolphin
years. Standard error ±4.9% (in ratio)
even after this extreme climatic event
shows that the correction limits which
remains in a better condition.
add or subtract in average mean to find
out the minimum and maximum range
5.4.4 Results
of dolphins. Standard error corrected
In this study previous data of the dol- population for 2011 which is 947 dol-
phin population used to predict the dolphins in minimum range while 1059
phin’s population in future. Estimated dolphins as maximum range with prob-
figures shows that the population would abilities 0.326<p<0.327. There are a set
increase in 2030 with an average mean of population estimated for each year
will be 3588 dolphins with applied stan- as, standard error (low) population<av-
dard errors it would be 3424 to 3753 as erage mean population<standard error
well 0.59<p<0.06 probabilities. There (high) population for instances dolphin
are three population categories as, cor- population year (2011) shows
rect population (SE=Low)<average mean 966<1012<1059 with probabilities
population<corrected population 0.326<p<0.327. These values predict a
(SE=high)respectively. This approach range of populations would be occurred
can be use to make a comparison with in such an order where it could be de-
future dolphins population with actual termine the populations with different
count. It could be used as a tool to aspects.
judge or correct the actual count popu-
It is clearly shown in (Figure: 4-5) all
lation if missing in data but this estima-
three population increasing per year
tion is based on average mean ratio of
while probabilities decreased with in-
dolphin population in a range(2-12%)

crease in years. According to the figure The variation in predicted population is

number of population increased from also due to the lack of data consistency
947 (2011) to 3357 (2030) represents during the years especially in 2006-
with three different color parallel lines. 2010. If data of this duration was avail-
While probabilities decreased with in- able then the future population can be
creased in the years from predicted more accurately.
0.326<p<0.327 (2011) to 0.059<p<0.06
5.4.6 Conclusions
(2030). In the figure probabilities also
represented into three different color
It is a statistical and mathematical ap-
lines with downward slope. Standard
proach to estimate the dolphin’s popu-
error (low) and standard error (high)
lation. This method has an ability to
lines are merged together in different
provide a result into a set of range
years which indicate a similar probabil-
which could be assess and evaluate for
ities ratio.
a more precise results. This methodol-
ogy is valid for Continuous increase in
An analytical method used to test the
the dolphin population decrease in pop-
predicted population from the derived
ulation must be corrected a mean aver-
formula. Counted population in 2006
age population ratio before apply.
was 808 dolphins, applied formula to
predict the population in 2011. Result
However, the previous and predict pop-
of formula comprises a range 888 low
ulation of the Indus dolphin in Game
population, 1086 mean population and
Reserve Area shows a significant in-
1284 high population of dolphin esti-
crease in population over a period. It is
mated. Actual counted dolphin was 947
indicating that the Game Reserve Area
which is lies between lower and mean
provides a good habitat for sustained
population range. Hence this test is
and growth of dolphins.
proved to predict the population within
a certain ratio. There is a need to conduct a survey to
assess the sex ratio of the dolphin
This graphical representation could be
(male/female) and this estimation
use as a useful tool to extrapolate the
should be based on male/female ratio.
lines with similar slope into a long time
This ratio provides basis to understand
period to predict the population. Stan-
the breeding rate of dolphin in each year
dard error used to minimize the mis-
and this will also help us to understand
takes and optimize the reliability with
maintaining of the ecological balance in
precision.
the bases of sex.

The census program should be continue ture about the future of this highly en-
and each year dolphin counts should be dangered species.
organize in order to achieve a clear pic-
Table: 2 Population Estimation Indus Dolphins Average Mean % (5 Years Interval)
% Increased % Average % Average Mean

Number % Average
YEAR POPULATION in each Mean Ń
(n) Mean
Study Year (5- Years) (1- Year)
1972 132
01 1974 150 13.65
02 1975 182 21.35
03 1979 291 59.90
04 1980 346 18.92
05 1981 381 10.13 88.95
06 1986 429 12.60 12.60
07 1989 268 37.52
08 1990 387 44.42
09 1991 398 2.85 9.75
10 1992 410 3.02
11 1993 426 3.92 34.44 6.89
12 1994 435 2.12
13 1995 447 2.77
14 1996 458 2.47 14.30
15 1999 499 8.96
16 2001 602 20.65
17 2006 808 34.22 63.83
18 2011 947 17.21 17.21
S o u rc e : Do lp h in P o p u la tio n in th e Riv e r In d u s b y S in d h Wild life De p a rtme n t, fo r th e y e a rs (1 9 7 2 -2 0 1 1 )

Table: 3 Predicted Dolphin Population and Probability Estimation for the Period
(2011-2030)
Average
Average Correction Correction
Counted Mean Probability Probability Probability
Years Mean µ% Error(+4.90) Error (-4.90)
Population Population (p1) (p2) (p3)
(per year) µ=11.79% µ=1.99%
6.89%
2011 947 6.89 Ń 1012 0.326 1059 0.327 966 0.327
2012 1012 6.89 Ń 1082 0.319 1131 0.320 1014 0.323
2013 1082 6.89 Ń 1157 0.307 1210 0.308 1104 0.308
2014 1157 6.89 Ń 1237 0.295 1293 0.296 1180 0.296
2015 1237 6.89 Ń 1322 0.283 1383 0.284 1262 0.284
2016 1322 6.89 Ń 1413 0.269 1478 0.270 1348 0.270
2017 1413 6.89 Ń 1510 0.256 1580 0.257 1441 0.257
2018 1510 6.89 Ń 1614 0.241 1688 0.244 1540 0.242
2019 1614 6.89 Ń 1725 0.226 1804 0.228 1646 0.228
2020 1725 6.89 Ń 1844 0.211 1928 0.213 1759 0.212
2021 1844 6.89 Ń 1971 0.196 2061 0.197 1881 0.197
2022 1971 6.89 Ń 2107 0.180 2203 0.181 2010 0.181
2023 2107 6.89 Ń 2252 0.164 2355 0.165 2149 0.165
2024 2252 6.89 Ń 2407 0.147 2518 0.149 2297 0.149
2025 2407 6.89 Ń 2573 0.131 2691 0.133 2455 0.132
2026 2573 6.89 Ń 2750 0.116 2876 0.117 2624 0.117
2027 2750 6.89 Ń 2939 0.100 3074 0.102 2805 0.102
2028 2939 6.89 Ń 3141 0.086 3286 0.087 2997 0.087
2029 3141 6.89 Ń 3357 0.070 3511 0.073 3204 0.073
2030 3357 6.89 Ń 3588 0.059 3753 0.060 3424 0.060

Figure: 4 Populations of Dolphin versus Years
Figure: 5 Probabilities of Dolphin Population Versus Years

Chapter:6- Threats and Issues in

Dolphin Conservation

6 THREATS AND ISSUES IN

DOLPHIN CONSERVATION
The population of this species is in con- months each year.
tinuous stress because of various fac-
Some dolphins that have moved down-
tors, including water pollution,
stream may be unable to swim back be-
poaching, fragmentation of habitat due
cause of strong currents and barrages.
to barrages, and dolphin strandings in
Efforts have been made to return dol-
the irrigation canals.
phins trapped in canals to the river.
The main reason for the decline of the
Indus River dolphin population in the 6.2 Stranding in Canals
past was the construction of numerous
dams and barrages, starting in the The barrages hinder to flow river
1930’s. These developmental activities through its course. Canals and small
has segregated the population into channels enrich with phytoplankton
small groups, degraded habitat and im- and fish attract to dolphins for taking
peded migration. Accidental capture in food but unfortunately low water depth
fishing nets and hunting for meat, oil sometimes caused stranding the dol-
and traditional medicine has also had phins. The closure of canals for mainte-
an adverse impact in the past nance is another threat to the Dolphins;
they enter in the canals following their
6.1 Habitat loss / Degradation prey but sometimes can’t return back
due to the closure of canals. Water level
variation in canals which are used for
The construction of barrages, 60,000 irrigations sometimes high water con-
km long network of irrigation canals, re- sumption rate with low intake caused
sulting habitat fragmentation has lead unbalanced water level, when dolphins
to strandings of the species in irrigation enter in these canals at the time of high
canals. These stranding usually go un- level of water flow, these dolphins can-
reported, and as a result, individuals not return back due to the low water
are left to die. Dolphins are no longer level in the main river.
found in the lower parts of the Indus
due to water extraction which dries-up Flood regime where at catastrophic
downstream channels for several weather push the water across the bank

Showing water level during super flood
of the river, water penetrate into canals increase in the water stressed condi-
and divide into sub-canals and even tions in the arid areas falling in the
some times inactive channels become south-east, whereas the melting of gla-
active due to high pressure of flood. ciers in the Himalayas, at the origin
This flood incident caused shifting the point of Indus River and other major
fishes and mammals into sub-canals, tributaries, will increase the flooding.
little channels and inactive channels This abnormal situation will impact the
where dolphin straddling and trap after associated ecosystem and their depend-
water back flow to the river and there is ent species. High flood and abnormal
no direct or indirect connection with the flow of water will also create impact on
main stream of Indus river. This natural plankton and fish population. It is thus
phenomenon is also threatening the evident that the Indus basin is vulnera-
survival of Indus dolphins. ble to climate change and this will ad-
versely affect the ecological and
6.3 Impact of Climate Change socio-economic conditions of the region.
Extreme Weather Events
The initial studies on impact of climate

change on water availability in Pakistan
covering a part of Indus basin shows an

6.4 Super Flood 2010 heats up considerably during the hot

summers. This heat causes an area of
The 2010 Pakistan floods began in July low pressure to develop over this region
after persistent heavy monsoonal rains of the Indian subcontinent. As the low
inundated nearly every section of the develops, moist winds from the Indian
country. As of late August, at least Ocean rush into the region and are then
1,645 people were killed, over 2,479 drawn towards the Himalayan Moun-
were injured and hundreds more were tains, where they act like a wall to block
listed as missing after the catastrophic winds from passing into Central Asia.
floods covered an estimated 62,000 This pattern forces air to rise and allows
square miles (160,000 square kilome- storm clouds to develop and cross parts
ters) of land – nearly one-fifth of the of Pakistan and India. Throughout the
Pakistan’s entire landmass. Extensive months of June, July, August and Sep-
damage occurred to homes, structures, tember, this pattern repeats itself.
the transportation infrastructure,
telecommunications and the agricul-
tural sector.
What is a Monsoon?
The floods in Pakistan were the result of
A monsoon is described as a shift in
persistent monsoonal rains that
wind direction that causes excessive
brought record rainfall totals to many
rainfall in many parts of the world in-
regions of the country not typically sus-
cluding Asia, North America, South
ceptible to significant rainfall. The fol-
America and Africa. Shifts in global
lowing sections will help describe what
wind patterns are generally considered
exactly a monsoon is, what a normal
to be the primary mechanism behind
monsoon season in Pakistan entails and
the development of a monsoon. During
also provide insight to the current me-
non-monsoonal months, winds nor-
teorological setup that led to the mas-
mally blow from land to ocean, which
sive flooding situation.
makes the air dry. During certain
In Pakistan, the Southwest Monsoon months of the year, the wind pattern
season normally occurs between the shifts and begins to blow from the
months of June and September. The ocean to land, making the air moist.
Thar Desert and adjoining areas of the This moist ocean air is what causes
northern and central Indian subconti- monsoonal rains over many countries.
nent (Pakistan, India and Bangladesh)

The meteorological setup in Pakistan cycle in the Pacific Ocean (typically re-
during July and August of 2010 was sulting in a heavier-than-normal mon-
rather unique. Atmospheric conditions soon season in South Asia) also played
stretching from Western Europe to a role in helping create a rarely-seen at-
Southeast Asia caused unusual mospheric setup that led to the flooding
weather throughout all of these areas – disaster in Pakistan. Up until mid-July,
including the extreme heat and wildfires many farmers and regional government
in Russia, the ongoing catastrophic officials were concerned that a subdued
flooding and landslides in China and se- start to the monsoon season would lead
vere weather and flood events in central to water shortages.
and northern Europe. Sindh Total Rainfall Normal Avg. % Avg
Cities (mm) (mm)
In early July, a strong ridge of high

pressure began to develop near the Ural Jacobabad 182 78.2 33%
Mountains in Russia. This ridge became

Karachi Airport 258 126.2 204%
stationary and established a blocking
Padidan 164 81.0 202%
pattern (known as an “omega block” in
the meteorological community due to its
A comparison of observed rainfall be-
shape (see figure below)) across nearly
tween July 1st and August 30th for se-
all of western Russia. As the ridge re-
lected cities in Sindh.
mained stationary for nearly two con-
secutive months, persistent rains fell
Extent and Magnitude of Flooding
across much of Pakistan and also in
parts of Afghanistan and Indian-held
The flood event became the most exten-
Kashmir beginning at the end of July.
sive in this region since 1929, with 71
With an abnormally active jet stream
of the country’s 122 districts sustaining
riding around the periphery of the
flood damage. This also became Pak-
omega block into western Pakistan,
istan’s most significant flood event in its
copious amounts of hot and moist air
recorded history since becoming a na-
created what some meteorologists called
tion in 1947. According to reports,
a “supercharged monsoon,” as this
flooding encompassed an estimated
unstable atmosphere led to a highly
62,000 square miles (160,000 square
unusual pattern of heavy rainfall.
kilometers) of Pakistan’s 340,000
The rapid development of a La Niña square miles (803,000 square kilome-

Satellite image of the Indus River on August 18, 2009 (Source: NASA)
ters). This equates to nearly one-fifth of the forest density also increase by avail-
the country’s entire landmass, or ability of water in active or non active
roughly the size of the state of Florida in channels .
the United States. A 1,600-kilometer
(1,000-mile) swath of damage along the 6.5 Directed take
Indus River alone was estimated to pos-
sibly cut Pakistan’s economic growth by Indus dolphins were sought and killed
2.5 percentage points this year. for oil until the early 1970s. In addition,
some communities who rely heavily on
Due to high flood non active channel of
fishing consider that they are competing
river Indus remain open which may
with Indus River If dolphins swim fur-
cause direct impact on Dolphin move-
ther away into the irrigation canals, re-
ment, they also move towards water
mote communities that have never seen
flow and some enter into non active
an Indus River dolphin perceive them as
channel after decline in water flood level
a threat and sometimes kill them.
they become stuck and died. Agricul-
Poaching still occurs sporadically, de-
ture land and forest also become de-
spite a ban on hunting.
stroyed nut the positive thing of flood
the non fertile land become fertile and
give good agriculture yield in this area

Satellite image of the Indus River on August 17, 2010 (Source: NASA)
6.6 By catch ing along the banks of the River and

along irrigation canals do not have any
Fishing nets are set for extended hours, toilets - sewage goes directly into the
including overnight, dolphins some- water. Furthermore, other activities
times get trapped and drown. Although such as washing clothes and cooking
by catch (accidental catch) is a more se- utensils is also a source of pollution.
rious issue for marine cetaceans, it can-
not be ignored as a potential threat to 6.8 Water Scarcity
freshwater species such as the Indus
River dolphin. One of the direst threats to the survival
of the Indus River Dolphin is probably
6.7 Pollution (Domestic, the escalating demand for water. Pak-
agriculture, Industrial) istan is an arid country, with a rapidly
growing human population and fast de-
Pollution is suspected to inhibit popu- veloping industrial and agricultural sec-
lation increase, a phenomenon likely to tors that demand increasing amounts of
be exacerbated by the absence of strong water. Several years of extreme drought
water flow. have depleted aquifers that would nor-
mally be expected to augment river
Untreated sewage is directly polluting flows in the dry season.
the Indus River. The communities resid-

6.9 Water Abstraction tions. It is generally assumed that such

movement would be uni-directional,
Much of the range reduction of the downstream through barrages, and that
Indus River dolphin can be attributed to upstream movement would be pre-
the removal of water and the population cluded by high gradient, rapid and tur-
fragmentation caused by barrages. The bulent flow, and frequently shallow
range of the dolphin will continue to de- water in, and downstream of, the gates.
crease as the smaller upstream subpop- The result would be the gradual attri-
ulations are extirpated and as tion of upstream subpopulations. Even
escalating demands for water, which al- a low downstream migration rate could
ready outstrip supply, further deplete dramatically affect the persistence of
groundwater reserves and reduce dry- upstream subpopulations over time.
season river discharge. There is peren- Downstream migrants would not sur-
nial flow between Sukkur and Kotri vive below Kotri Barrage where the
Barrages but discharge is severely re- Indus River is dry for much of the year.
duced (110m3/s) in the dry season. There have been no published sightings
Small population exist between Sukkur of dolphins moving through barrage
and Kotri Barrages may be caused by gates either in Pakistan or India (Sinha,
large-scale water withdrawal, which 1997), however there is circumstantial
renders the area marginal as dolphin evidence supporting the theory:
habitat for part of the year.
Each subsequent downstream subpop-
To ensure that sufficient water remains ulation, except the last, is larger than
for the extant subpopulations, the min- the preceding one, despite a continually
imum river flow required to maintain diminishing river flow. The exception to
critical Indus River dolphin habitat this trend is the small subpopulation
should be assessed and the assessment furthest downstream (Sukkur–Kotri)
results promoted to the Pakistani gov- that persists in severely degraded habi-
ernment and water management au- tat. It is possible that this subpopula-
thorities. tion is augmented by, or consists solely
of, migrants from the upstream subpop-
6.10 Downstream Migration ulation (Guddu–Sukkur).
Each year Indus River dolphins enter ir-

(Reeves et al., 1991) suggested that dol-
rigation canals through flow regulating
phins sometimes move through barrage
gates that are very similar to barrage
gates and thus between subpopula-

gates. Between January 2000 and De- ,through observation and consultation
cember 2002, for example, 34 dolphins with the community people said due to
were reported in canals originating from lack of sui gas facility the people used
Sukkur Barrage (Bhaagat, 1999; forest wood for house hold purpose
Braulik, 2000; Sindh Wildlife Depart- which take play important role in soil
ment and WWF-Pakistan, unpublished erosion as a result the depth of basin
reduced day by day.
data). Once dolphins enter canals they
are unable to travel back upstream
through the canal gates and return to
6.13 Impact of Fishing
the Indus River. As dolphins are known
Although fishing is one of the major oc-
to pass downstream through canal
cupations of the people living along the
gates regularly, it seems likely that they
river, however annual contracts are
also pass through similar barrage gates.
sanctioned wherein contractors bring in
fishermen from other areas also. Fish-
6.11 Industrial and Agriculture
ing is carried out extensively using
Pollution
nylon gill nets. Such nets, although
banned are harmful for aquatic fauna
Industrial pollution has reportedly
such as Otters, dolphins and turtles
caused massive fish kills in urban
that get incidentally caught.
areas, and industrial effluents are
poured into the river. As the Indus
Illegal fishing by using pesticides is also
Basin is predominantly a cultivated
creating harmful effects on dolphin pop-
area, and crops such as sugarcane and
ulation directly or indirectly. Pesticide
cotton are prevalent, there has been an
also enters into the food chain which ul-
increase in pesticide use along the river-
timately impacting to the dolphins and
bank. The species is threatened prima-
humans.
rily by the damming of rivers for
irrigation and electricity generation,
6.14 Impact of Poaching
which degrades habitat, isolates popu-
lations and prevents seasonal migra- The single most major threat to aquatic
tion. fauna, though not extensive is reported
from few areas. During survey local vil-
6.12 Soil Erosion lagers has reported poaching of Otters,
water birds and freshwater turtles. no
soil erosion also consider major threat one has reported about the poaching of
dolphin.
for Indus dolphin in river Indus basin

Chapter:7- Conclusion

7 CONCLUSION
7.1 Discussion on Social Survey their concern about it and recom-

mended that it should be improved in
During Indus Dolphin Survey we have way to reduce environmental impact on
collected information and observation Human as well as on their animals.
regarding community concerned on
Indus Dolphin conservation, people of 7.2 Discussion on Planktons
the area does not aware about the glob-
ally impotence of the specie because On the basis of results obtained from
this species is not giving any economical present study, it is obvious that in
benefit to the community and sometime Indus River System there are certain
incidentally they damage their finishing areas where the water quality is poor
nets during fishing practices. and does not support life as it was seen
at stations 20-22 which is the area near
There is a need to launch an awareness Rohri Barrage and Sukkur Barrage.
campaign for the fishermen and pro-
mote eco-tourism and other related ac- The phytoplankton species were mostly
tivities that will help fishermen to get belonging to green algae and a diatom
economic benefit from this species. Be- species. The blue-green algae were less
side awareness, training programms on abundant and Microcystis were not
safe fishing methods can also be organ- seen. This reflects a better water quality
ized for the fishermen of the area. condition in the Indus River.
Community member also said that they The Zooplankton fauna reveals that
need some compensation against their Brachionus species are prevailing in the
destroyed nets from the concerned Indus. The colonization of Brachionus
Govt. Departments. Sindh Wildlife De- species indicates that Indus River water
partment should from a committee who is gradually changing to eutrophic envi-
will discuss this issue with fishermen ronment.
and find the best way to handle this
The fish fauna contains indigenous as
issue according to their limitations.
well as exotic species however, accord-
Community is also worried about the ing to fishermen’s statements the fish
flood management plan and showed production is continuously declining.

That indeed is a signal to take serious be present in food. The concentrations

measures to keep the Mighty Indus of the dangerous inorganic arsenics that
River water in better condition so that are currently present in surface waters
the coming generations can be benefited enhance the chances of alteration of ge-
from it. netic materials of fish. This is mainly
caused by accumulation of arsenic in
7.3 Discussion on Physico- the bodies of plant-eating freshwater or-
Chemical analysis ganisms. Birds or dolphin eat the fish
that already contain eminent amounts
Almost the all parameter of the all sam- of arsenic and will die as a result of ar-
ples are under limits without arsenic senic poisoning as the fish is decom-
because in some are the presence of ar- posed in their bodies.
senic is higher than the limit.
7.4 Discussion on Microbiol-
ogy Report
7.3.1 Impact of the Presence of
Heavy Metal Water Sample analysis report based on
the given WHO/USEPA limits for drink-
Environmental effects of arsenic ing water. According to that standard,
all the samples are unsatisfactory.
The arsenic cycle has broadened as a
consequence of human interference and
7.4.1 Impact of Excess Microor-
due to this, large amounts of arsenic
ganisms
end up in the environment and in living
organisms. Arsenic is mainly emitted by
The results of samples showed that mi-
the copper producing industries, but
crobial quality of the habitat of doliphin
also during lead and zinc production
is very poor. A number of cities and vil-
and in agriculture. It cannot be de-
lages are located along the River Indus
stroyed once it has entered the environ-
and their tributaries which discharge
ment, so that the amounts add can
large amount of both domestic and in-
spread and cause health effects to hu-
dustrial sewage into the river. Major
mans and animals on many locations
towns situated along the banks of the
on earth.
river are Guddu, Kashmore, Sukkur,
Larkana etc. The river receives effluents
Plants absorb arsenic fairly easily, so
of these towns along with the non point
that high-ranking concentrations may

runoff which includes fertilizers and or- this is caused by bacteria from water
ganic wastes. pollution. The bacteria in the water can
cause respiratory disorders, heart dis-
The counts of each parameter are high
eases, tumors, skin diseases, stomach
as total plate count, total coliform, Fae-
ulcers, and urogenital disorders. All of
cal coliforms and Faecal Streptococci.
these symptoms can be caused by pol-
As mentioned above that presence of
lution of water.
high count of coliforms and faecal col-
iforms indicate the recent faecal con-
tamination not necessarily the human
origin but the presence of Faecal Strep-
tococci indicates the fresh human and
animal waste contamination. It is
clearly observed that all the samples an-
alyzed are found to be contaminated
with Faecal Streptococci means human
feces contamination. In this situation, it
is quite possible that all other
pathogens that may be of human origin
or from any other mammal could be
present in the sample of stream water
which is a great health hazard for not
only humans but other aquatic life i.e.
Dolphin. Excess microbial growth is a
significant environmental issue for the
habitat present in the water body, this
problem not only deteriorates the drink-
ing water quality due to faecal contam-
ination, and their decay material
decreases the volume of dissolve oxygen
in water body and causing eutrophica-
tion.
In the dolphin’s habitat, a wide variety

of diseases are present and that can kill
a dolphin, with a painful death. Most of

Chapter:8- Recommendation

8 RECOMMENDATION
8.1 Policy Issues uniqueness of the dolphin and the

local community must aware that
Till date no such plans and programs that they are endanger species.
have been designed to address the Both local and national media,
aquatic animals that inhibit areas print (news paper and magazines)
within and outside protected areas. and electronic (radio and TV),
Their habitat and migratory nature has should extensively be made use of
not yet been integrated in any of the in highlighting the uniqueness of
plans. Biodiversity Action Plan recog- the species and issues related to
nizes the need for wetland conservation the existing dolphin population.
while the Wetland Action Plan has
● Children can play an important
suggested holistic approach to wetland
role in future if they make aware
biodiversity conservation for future. De-
in their early childhood. Give some
spite the formulation of supportive poli-
guidelines and information to the
cies in recent years, there is a need to
children’s what they can do to pro-
develop species specific strategy regard-
tect dolphin, even if the task is
ing dolphins that envisions managing
smaller as throwing trash in a
the river ecosystems through a compre-
garbage can. A great way to start
hensive conservation plan based on the
the education process is to take
ecosystem approach. As we know that
them on a dolphin watch where he
many wetlands including dolphin habi-
can view them in their natural en-
tats exist on governmental land and
vironment
under the legal jurisdiction of the De-
partments of Irrigation, Water and ● One of the most important issues
Power Authority, SIDA and Forests, but that should be addressed is the re-
the wetland conservation has not reduction of all type of pollution (do-
ceived adequate attention. mestic industrial, agriculture) in
the river which causes harmful ef-
8.2 Awareness fects to dolphins. There are many
chemicals in the Indus River such
● It is important that to make aware
as pesticides, organochlorines and
people about the importance and
industrial effluents. There are

chances that if these chemicals dolphins in Indus River basin.

enter into dolphin’s body, they will For this purpose, local NGOs,
reduce dolphin’s physical fitness CBOs and school level eco-clubs
making them more prone to ill- will be the most effective means
ness or cause reproductive prob- to achieve the target.
lems.
2) The ecosystem of Indus River
● Dispose of garbage and chemicals should be considered as a single
properly, otherwise they chemical conservation unit and priority
enter into the food chain and cre- should be given to preserving all
ate problems to the ecosystem and of its components including
even human can’t escape from fishes that provide food for the
these chemicals. There is a need dolphins as well as the indige-
to discourage the use of plastic nous people. Efforts should be
bags and promote the use of made to establish the entire area
reusable bags and recycle when- as conservation area based on
ever possible. the ecosystem approach. Local
communities and local bodies
● The second issue is related with
should be involved in the con-
the accidental deaths caused by
servation and management ac-
fishing nets. An awareness pro-
tivities.
grammes should be launched to
educate fishermen about the im- 3) Fishing should be regulated to
portance of dolphins and provide reduce the pressure on the Dol-
training for safe fishing methods phin’s habitat. Fishing gears
which will reduce the rate of en- that harm dolphins should be
tangling of dolphins and other banned in primary habitats.
aquatic fauna like otters and tur- Fishermen should be given
tles that get incidentally caught. training on the safe fishing
methods.
8.3 Specific Recommenda-
4) Effectiveness of regulations
tions
should be monitored and evalu-
ated. Make the arrangements to
1) Based on findings of the present
create awareness amongst local
study, raise awareness about
communities about laws and
importance of conservation of

regulations related to the dol- and general public in order to

phins conservation. gain support for conservation
initiatives of endangered mi-
5) Community based tourism
grant aquatic species.
should be promoted and sup-
ported in the area. This would 9) Species conservation plan that
also help to improve the local focuses on population surveys,
economy. The parts of river sys- monitoring, protecting key habi-
tem can be managed through tats, relocation and restoration
community participation. How- of dolphin is needed.
ever necessary infrastructure of
the entire region such as roads 10) Indus Dolphins are facing an-
and lodges must be developed other fast growing threat of fish-
for efficient mobility and accom- ing through poisoning.
modation during all seasons. Fisherman or local people use
Stretch of Indus River between pesticides or other sorts of poi-
Guddu to Sukkur Barrage can sons to kill fish for their suste-
be promoted as the prime loca- nance especially in the shallow
tion for dolphin watching during water area of river Indus. They
low water seasons throw pesticides granules in the
water to kill the fish. Those
6) Dolphins normally feed on fishes eaten higher quantity of
smaller fishes and shrimps, the this poison died immediately but
mesh size of fishing nets can be those received lesser quantity
regulated so that the fishermen are manage to survive and es-
catch only larger fishes and caped from the area will also die
allow smaller fishes to escape. latter but in between the time if
these poisoned fishes are eaten
7) Involve electronic media to pro- by the dolphins, the poison
mote this unique species, and transfer into the dolphin and
create awareness among local these dolphins are also died in
people to recognize the signifi- the passage of time.
cance of Indus dolphin as a cul-
The poisoned water is another
tural entity.
threat. This contaminated water
carrying many poisoned crus-
8) There is need to develop effective
tacean and planktons through
mechanism of conveying key in-
food chain these effected biodi-
formation to decision-makers

versity also creating negative im- should be evaluated and results

pact on fishes, dolphins and from these investigation should
local population. be disseminated to resource
management agencies along
When investigated we found
with recommendations to re-
that pesticides used for fishing
duce or eliminate any potential
has directly related with the so-
threats to aquatic fauna includ-
cioeconomic conditions of these
fisherman. Those fishermen or ing dolphin.
local people do not have enough
12) A comprehensive Indus Basin
resources to buy fishing nets
Ecosystems Conservation Policy
and cannot afford fishing boat;
and Plan should be developed
they use this practice to capture
and supported with statutory
fishes and make some money for
measures.
their survival.
13) There is a need to continue of
We would like to recommend
dolphin cense without any gap
that Sindh Wildlife Department
or interval atleast for the next 10
should take some immediate ac-
year.This data provide complete
tion and measures by involving
pictures of its population trend
local fisherman and create edu-
and impact of natural & man-
cation & awareness programme
made threats.
with the help of local NGO’s to
educate these fisherman not to
use pesticide or any type of poi-
son for fishing and tell them that
these poisoned fishes and con-
taminated water is not only
harmful to all life living in the
river but also for themselves and
others who are utilizing these
fishes and water resources.
11) Special attention should be paid

for documenting existing and
planned water development
projects. All possible impacts of
water development projects

Annexure-I
List of Flora and Fauna of the Study Area

Waterbirds of Indus River and its associated Areas
S.No Common name Scientific name Status

1. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Less common
2. Bank myna Acridotheres ginginianus Less common
3. Bay backed shrike Lanius vittatus Less common
4. Black bellied tern Sterna acuticauda Less common
5. Black partridge Melanoperdix niger Rare
6. Black shouldered kite Elanus caeruleus Less common
7. Black winged stilt Himantopus himantopus Common
8. Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Common
9. Blue rock pigeon Columba livia) Common
10. Bonellis eagle Aquila fasciata Rare
11. Brahminy kite Haliastur indus Common
12. Collard dove Streptopelia decaocto Common
13. Common Babbler Turdoides caudata Common
14. Common buzzard Buteo buteo Less common
15. Common Indian myna Acridotheres tristis Common
16. Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Common
17. Common wood shrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Rare
18. Coot Fulica atra Common
19. Coucal Centropus Less common
20. Crested lark Galerida cristata Common
21. Great horned owl Bubo virginianus Less common
22. Greater spotted eagle Aquila clanga Less common
23. Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus Less common
24. Green shank Tringa nebularia Less common
25. Grey heron Ardea cinerea Less common
26. Grey partridge Perdix perdix Less common
27. Herring gull Larus argentatus Common
28. House bunting Emberiza sahari Less common
29. House crow Corvus splendens Common
30. Indian black kite Milvus migrans Common
31. Indian house sparrow Passer domesticus Common
32. Indian house swift Apus affinis Less common
33. Indian river tern Sterna aurantia Less common
34. Indian robin Saxicoloides fulicatus Less common
35. Indian roller Coracias benghalensis Less common
36. Indian sand lark Calandrella raytal Less common

37. Indian sand martin Riparia riparia Less common

38. Indian scopes owl Otus bakkamoena Less common
39. Indian tree pie Dendrocitta vagabunda Less common
40. Jungle babbler Turdoides striata Less common
41. Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus Common
42. Black drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Common
43. Koel Eudynamys scalopica Less common
44. Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolus Common
45. Little cormorant Microcarbo niger Common
46. Little egret Egretta garzetta Common
47. Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Common
48. Little green bee-eater Merops orientalis Common
49. Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius Common
50. Little stint Calidris minutus Common
51. Little tern Sterna albifrons Common
52. Long tailed grass warbler Schoenicola platyurus Less common
53. Marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus Less common
54. Night heron Nycticorax nycticorax Common
55. Osprey Pandion haliaetus Less common
56. Pied bush chat Saxicola caprata Less common
57. Pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis Common
58. Plain prinia Prinia inornata Less common
59. Pond heron Ardeola grayii) Common
60. Purple Moonrhen Porphyrio porphyrio Less common
61. Purple sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus Common
62. Red shank Tringa totanus Less common
63. Red vented bulbul Pycnonotus caffer Less common
64. Red watlled lapwing Vanellus vanellus Common
65. Rose ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri) Less common
66. Rufous backed shrike Lanius schach) Less common
67. Short toed eagle Circaetus gallicus Less common
68. Sindh jungle sparrow Passer pyrrhonotus Less common
69. Sindh night jar Caprimulgus mahrattensis Less common
70. Sindh starling Sturnus roseus Less common
71. Slender billed gull Chroicocephalus genei Common
72. Small blue kingfisher Alcedo coerulescens Less common
73. Small Indian pranticole Glareola lactea Less common
74. Small sky lark Alauda gulgula Less common
75. Sparrow hawk Accipiter virgatus Less common

76. Spotted owlet Athene brama Less common

77. Steaked weaver Ploceus manyar Less common
78. Striated babbler Turdoides earlei Less common
79. Whiskered tern Chlidonias hybridus Less common
80. White breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Less common
81. White breasted waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Less common
82. White cheeked bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis Common
83. White throated munia Euodice malabarica Less common
84. White-eyed buzzard Butastur teesa Less common
85. Wire tailed swallow Hirundo smithii Less common
86. Yellow eyed babbler Chrysomma sinense Less common

List of common Fish Species of Indus Dolphin Reserve
No. Species Family Common Name
1 Aortichthys aor Bagridae Singhari
2 Aspidoparia morar Cyprinidae (carp) Ray Finned

3 Bagarius bagarius Sisoridae (catfish) Fauji-Khaga
4 Catla catla Cyprinidae (carp) Theli
5 Channa marulias Channidae Soll
6 Chela cachius Cyprinidae (carp) Chela
7 Cirrhinus reba Cyprinidae (carp) Suhni
8 Cirrihinus mirgala Cyprinidae (carp) Morakha/Morie

9 Gudsuia Clupeidae Pali
10 L . calbasu Cyprinidae (carp) Kalbans

11 L. gonius Cyprinidae (carp) Seereha
12 Labeo rohita Cyprinidae (carp) Rahu
13 Macrobrachium malcomsoni (Prawn) Palaemonidae Samll Jhenga
14 Mastacembelus armatus Mastacembelidae Baam
15 Mystus cavasius Bagridae (catfish) Tengara

16 N. chitala Notopteridae Cheetal
17 Notoptreus notoptreus Notopteridae Butpri
18 Palaemon carcinus (Prawn) Palamonidae Large Jhenga

19 Puntius sophore Cyprinidae Sophor
20 Rita rita Bagridae Khaga

21 Salmastoma bacaila Cyprinidae Small chall
22 Wallgo attu Siluridae Mully/Jarkha
23 Tenualosa ilisha Clupeidae palla

List of Amphibian and Reptile Species of Indus Dolphin Reserve
Common name Scientific name Status
Skittering frog Rana cyanophlyetic Common

Tiger frog Rana tigrina Common
Indus toad Bufo andersoni Common
Green toad Bufo viridis Less common
Checkered keelback Xenochrophis piscotor Less common
Marsh snak X. cerasogaster Less common
Cat snake Boiga trigonata Less common
Dhaman Ptyas mucosus Less common
Royal snake Sphalerosophis atriceps Less common
Sand snake Psammophis condanarus Less common
Indian krait Bungarus caeruleus Less common
Cobra Naja naja Less common
Russell.s viper Viper russelii Rare
Saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus Common
Monitor lizard Varanus bengalensis Endangered
Spinytailed lizard Uromastic hardwicki Common
Indian softshell turtle Trionyx gangeticus Less common
Indian flapshell turtle Lissemys punetata Common
Brown river turtle Kachuga amithi Common

List of Crustaceans and Water Insects of Indus dolphin Reserve.
Common name Scientific name Status

Large jhenga Palaemon carcinus Less common
Macrobrachium
Small jhenga Less common
malcomsoni
Water bug Coraixa promontoria Common
Water bug C. substriata Common
Water-scorpion Laecotrephes rubri Less common

Floral Diversity of River Indus and Adjacent Areas
Family Plant Species Life Form Habit
1 Acanthaceae Blepharis sindica Therophyte Herb
2 Aizoaceae Trianthema portulacastrum Therophyte Herb
3 Aizoaceae Zaleya pentandra Chamaephyte Herb
4 Amaranthaceae Amaranthus graecizans Therophyte Herb
5 Amaranthaceae Amaranthus viridis Therophyte Herb
6 Asteraceae Echinops echinatus Therophyte Tall Herb
7 Asteraceae Eclipta prostrata Chamaephyte Herb
8 Asteraceae Grangea maderaspatana Therophyte Herb
9 Asteraceae Launaea procumbens Chamaephyte Herb
10 Asteraceae Launaea resedifolia Therophyte Herb
11 Boraginaceae Coldenia procumbens Chamaephyte Herb
12 Capparidaceae Cleome brachycarpa Chamaephyte Herb
13 Convolvulaceae Convolvulus prostratus Chamaephyte Herb
14 Convolvulaceae Cressa cretica Therophyte Herb
15 Cucurbitaceae Citrullus colocynthis Chamaephyte Herb
16 Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia hirta Therophyte Herb
17 Fabaceae Melilotus alba Chamaephyte Herb
18 Fabaceae Melilotus indica Chamaephyte Herb

Hemi-
19 Gentianaceae Enicostemma hyssopifolium Herb
cryptophyte
20 Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia diffusa Chamaephyte Herb
21 Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia procumbens Cryptophyte Herb
22 Nyctaginaceae Commicarpus boissieri Phanerophyte Herb
23 Polygalaceae Polygala erioptera Chamaephyte Herb
24 Polygalaceae Polygala irregularis Chamaephyte Herb
25 Polygonaceae Persicaria glabra Chamaephyte Herb
26 Polygonaceae Polygonum effusum Chamaephyte Herb

27 Portulacaceae Portulaca oleracea Therophyte Herb
28 Primulaceae Anagallis arvensis Therophyte Herb
29 Scrophulariaceae Bacopa monnieri Chamaephyte Herb
30 Scrophulariacea Schweinfurthia papilionacea Chamaephyte Herb
31 Solanaceae Solanum albicaule Chamaephyte Herb
32 Solanaceae Solanum nigrum Therophyte Herb
33 Solanaceae Solanum surattense Chamaephyte Herb
34 Tiliaceae Corchorus depressus Chamaephyte Herb
35 Verbenaceae Phyla nodiflora Chamaephyte Herb
36 Zygophyllaceae Tribulus terrestris Therophyte Herb
37 Zygophyllaceae Zygophyllum simplex Therophyte Herb
38 Amaranthaceae Aerva javanica Phanerophyte Shrub
39 Asclepiadaceae Calotropis procera Phanerophyte Shrub
40 Asclepiadaceae Leptadenia pyrotechnica Phanerophyte Shrub
41 Asteraceae Iphiona grantioides Chamaephyte Subshrub
42 Asteraceae Pluchea lanceolata Phanerophyte Shrub
43 Asteraceae Vernonia cinerascens Phanerophyte Shrub
44 Boraginaceae Heliotropium curassavicum Chamaephyte Subshrub
45 Boraginaceae Heliotropium ophioglossum Chamaephyte Subshrub
46 Boraginaceae Trichodesma indicum Chamaephyte Subshrub
47 Burseraceae Commiphora stocksiana Phanerophyte Shrub
48 Burseraceae Commiphora wightii Phanerophyte Shrub
49 Caesalpiniaceae Senna holosericea Chamaephyte Subshrub
50 Capparidaceae Cadaba fruticosa Phanerophyte Shrub
51 Capparidaceae Capparis decidua Phanerophyte Large Shrub
52 Chenopodiaceae Atriplex stocksii Chamaephyte Subshrub
53 Chenopodiaceae Haloxylon stocksii Phanerophyte Shrub

54 Chenopodiaceae Salsola imbricata Phanerophyte Shrub
55 Chenopodiaceae Suaeda fruticosa Phanerophyte Shrub
56 Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia caducifolia Phanerophyte Large Shrub
57 Fabaceae Alhagi maurorum Phanerophyte Subshrub
58 Fabaceae Crotalaria burhia Phanerophyte Shrub
59 Fabaceae Indigofera oblongifolia Phanerophyte Shrub
60 Fabaceae Tephrosia purpurea Chamaephyte Subshrub
61 Malvaceae Abutilon fruticosum Phanerophyte Subshrub
62 Malvaceae Abutilon indicum Phanerophyte Subshrub
63 Malvaceae Sida ovata Phanerophyte Subshrub
64 Mimosaceae Acacia jacquemontii Phanerophyte Shrub
65 Mimosaceae Prosopis glandulosa Phanerophyte Large Shrub
66 Mimosaceae Prosopis juliflora Phanerophyte Large Shrub
67 Resedaceae Ochradenus baccatus Phanerophyte Shrub
68 Rhamnaceae Ziziphus nummularia Phanerophyte Shrub
69 Rubiaceae Kohautia retrorsa Phanerophyte Subshrub
70 Solanaceae Datura fastuosa Phanerophyte Shrub
71 Solanaceae Lycium edgeworthii Phanerophyte Shrub
72 Solanaceae Solanum cordatum Chamaephyte Subshrub
73 Solanaceae Withania somnifera Phanerophyte Shrub
74 Tamaricaceae Tamarix indica Phanerophyte Shrub
75 Tiliaceae Grewia tenax Phanerophyte Shrub
76 Zygophyllaceae Fagonia indica Chamaephyte Subshrub
77 Mimosaceae Acacia nilotica Phanerophyte Tree
78 Mimosaceae Acacia senegal Phanerophyte Tree
79 Mimosaceae Prosopis cineraria Phanerophyte Tree
80 Salicaceae Populus euphratica Phanerophyte Tree

81 Salvadoraceae Salvadora oleoides Phanerophyte Tree
82 Salvadoraceae Salvadora persica Phanerophyte Tree
83 Tamaricaceae Tamarix aphylla Phanerophyte Tree
84 Tamaricaceae Tamarix dioica Phanerophyte Tree
85 Poaceae Aeluropus lagopoides Cryptophyte Grass

Hemi-
86 Poaceae Cenchrus ciliaris Grass
cryptophyte
Hemi-
87 Poaceae Cenchrus pennisetiformis Grass
cryptophyte
Hemi-
89 Poaceae Chloris barbata Grass
cryptophyte
Hemi-
90 Poaceae Chrysopogon aucheri Grass
cryptophyte
Hemi-
91 Poaceae Cynodon dactylon Grass
cryptophyte
92 Poaceae Dactyloctenium aegyptium Therophyte Grass
93 Poaceae Dactyloctenium aristatum Therophyte Grass
94 Poaceae Desmostachya bipinnata Cryptophyte Grass

Hemi-
95 Poaceae Dichanthium annulatum Grass
cryptophyte
Hemi-
96 Poaceae Panicum antidotale Grass
cryptophyte
97 Poaceae Phragmites karka Cryptophyte Tall Grass
Hemi-
98 Poaceae Saccharum benghalense Tall Grass
cryptophyte
Hemi-
99 Poaceae Saccharum spontaneum Tall Grass
cryptophyte
Hemi-
100 Poaceae Sporobolus nervosus Grass
cryptophyte
101 Convolvulaceae Convolvulus glomeratus Chamaephyte Climber
102 Fabaceae Rhyncosia minima Chamaephyte Climber
103 Cyperaceae Cyperus bulbosus Cryptophyte Sedge

Hemi-
104 Cyperaceae Cyperus pygmaeus Sedge
cryptophyte
105 Typhaceae Typha angustata Cryptophyte Reed

Annexure-II Water Analysis

Result of the Physico Chemical and Microbiological Analysissis

Sample # 1
Water (Sukkur Barrage down streme)
S.No. Parameters. Unit NSDWQ Concentration Method Remarks.

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.88 pH meter.
2 Total Dissolved Solids mg/l 1000 160 APHA 2540 C
3 Total Suspended Solid. mg/l <5 320 APHA 2540 D Higher
4 Chloride mg/l 250 25.03 APHA 4500 Cl C
5 Total Hardness mg/l <500 79 APHA 2340 C
6 Flouride mg/l <1.5 BDL Hach Method 8029
7 Mercury mg/l <0.001 BDL AAS
8 Lead mg/l <0.05 BDL AAS
9 Arsenic mg/l <0.05 0.005 Merck Test (1,17927)
Sample # 2
Water (Shah Kulli Pur, andal dal bela forest)

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.86 pH meter.
5 Total Hardness mg/l <500 78.5 APHA 2340 C
6 Flouride mg/l <1.5 0.12 Hach Method 8029

Sample# 3
Water (GHOT ALI JATOI)

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.85 pH meter.
9 Arsenic mg/l <0.05 BDL Merck Test (1,17927)
Sample# 4
Water (BHULLAR JEE GHOT)

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.72 pH meter.

Sample # 5
Water (MUBAN PIR GHOT )

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.63 pH meter.
Sample # 6
Water ( MORO BRIDGE )

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.84 pH meter.

Sample # 7
Water (SEHWAN )

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.96 pH meter.
Sample # 8
Water (LUCKY SHAH )

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.92 pH meter.

Sample # 9
Water (SUN )

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 8.30 pH meter.
Sample # 10
Water (KHANOT )

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.80 pH meter.

Sample # 11
Water (KOTRI BARRAGE DOWN STREME )

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 8.25 pH meter.
GUDDU BARRAGE TO SUKKUR BARRAGE
Water (Guddu ) Sample # A

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.98 pH meter.

Water (Machi ) Sample # B

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.98 pH meter.
Sample # C
Water Sample # C

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.74 pH meter.

Water Sample # D

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.98 pH meter.
Water Sample # E

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.91 pH meter.
9 Arsenic mg/l <0.05 0.100 Merck Test (1,17927) Higher

Water Sample # F

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.96 pH meter.
Sample # G

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.95 pH meter.

Sample # H

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.99 pH meter.
Sample # I

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.99 pH meter.

Sample # J

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.99 pH meter.
Sample # K

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 7.99 pH meter.

Sample # L

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 8.01 pH meter.
Sample # M

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 8.03 pH meter.

Sample # N

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 8.03 pH meter.
Sample # O

1 pH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 8.03 pH meter.

Sample # P

1 PH value. ͙͘͘ 6.5-8.5 8.02 pH meter.

RESULT OF MICROBIOLOGICAL REPORT

GUDDU BARRGE TO SUKKUR BARRGE
Sample # 1 (Sukkur Barrage downstream)
*
S.No. Parameters Recommended Value Results
01 Total Colony Count <500 cfu / ml 1.9×104cfu / ml
02 Total Coliform 0 cfu / 100 ml 300 cfu / 100 ml
03 Total faecal Coliform 0 cfu / 100 ml 194 cfu / 100 ml
04 Faecal Streptococci 0 cfu / 100 ml 12 cfu / 100ml
Sample # 2 (Shah Kulli Pur,andal dal bela forest)
*
02 Total Coliform 0 cfu / 100 ml 124 cfu / ml
03 Faecal Coliform 0 cfu / 100 ml 45 cfu / ml

Sample # 3 (Goth Ali Jatoi)
*
Sample # 4 (Bhullar Jee Goth
*
Sample # 5 (Muban Peer Goth)
*

Sample # 6 (Moro Bridge)
*
Sample # 7 (Sehwan)
*
Sample # 8 (Lucky Shah)
*

Sample # 9 (Sun)
*
Sample # 10 (Khanot)
*
Sample # 11 (Kotri Barrage, downstream)
*

Sample # 12 GUUDU TO SUKKUR
*
*
*
01 Total Colony Count <500 cfu / ml 5.4 ×104cfu / ml

*
*
*

*
*

Annexure-III
Limnological Studies of River Indus

Phytoplankton occurrence at different stations of Indus River.
PHYTOPLANKTON OF INDUS RIVER
No. TAXA St:1 St:2 St:3 St:4 St:5 St:6 St:7 St:8 St:9 St:10
CHLOROPHYTA
1 Pediastrum - - - + ++ - - - - -
2 Spirogyra + + - + + + + + - +
3 Cladophora - + - - + - - + - -
4 Staurastrum + + - - - - - + + -
CYANOPHYTA
5 Aphanocapsa + - - - + - + - - -
6 Oscillatoria - + - - - - - - + -
BACILLARIOPHYTA
7 Melosira + - - + + - - + + +
No. TAXA St:11 St:12 St:13 St:14 St:15 St:16 St:17 St:18 St:19
CHLOROPHYTA
1 Pediastrum ++ - - + +++ - + + +
2 Spirogyra + - + + + + + - +
3 Cladophora + + + - - + - + -
4 Staurastrum - - - + + - - + +
CYANOPHYTA
5 Aphanocapsa - + + - - - + - -
6 Oscillatoria - - - + + - - - +
BACILLARIOPHYTA
7 Melosira + - + + + + - - +

TAXA St:20 St:21 St:22 St:23 St:24 St: 25 St: 26 St:27 St: 28
CHLOROPHYTA
Pediastrum + - + - + - + + -
Spirogyra +++ - - - - - - - -
Cladophora + - + - - + ++ - +
Staurastrum - - + - - + - +
CYANOPHYTA
Aphanocapsa + - + - - - - -
Oscillatoria - - + - - - - -
BACILLARIOPHYTA
Melosira - - + + - + + - +
TAXA St: 29 St: 30 St: 31 St:32 St: 33
CHLOROPHYTA
Pediastrum - - - + +
Spirogyra - - - - -
Cladophora + - + + +
Staurastrum - - - - -
CYANOPHYTA
Aphanocapsa + ++ + + +
Oscillatoria + + + + -
BACILLARIOPHYTA
Melosira - + - + +

Zooplankton species of Indus River.
ZOOPLANKTON OF INDUS RIVER
No. Name of species St:1 St:2 St:3 St:4 St:5 St:6 St:7 St:8 St:9 St:10 St:11
DINOFLAGELLATES
1 Ceratium hirundinella - - - - + - - + - - -
ROTIFERA
1 Asplanchna priodonta - - - - - - - - - - -
2 Anuropsis fissa - - - - - - - - - - -
3 Brachionus amphiceros + - + + - + - - - - -
4 Branchious angularis - - - - - - - - - - -
5 Brachionus budapestinensis + + ++ - + - + - - - -
6 Brachionus dorcas + + - - - - - + + - -
7 Brachionus falcatus - - + - - - - - - - -
8 Brachionus forficula - - - + - - - - - - -
9 Brachionus plicatilis - - + + - + - + + - +
10 B. quadritentus f.brevispinus - - - - - - - - - - -
11 Brachionus quadridentatus + + - - + - - - + - +
12 Brachionus rubens - - - - - - - - - - -
13 B. calyciflorus + + + + + + + + + ++ ++
14 Conochiloides sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
15 Filina longiseta - - - - - - - - - - -
16 Keratella asymmetrica - - - - - - - - - - -
17 Keratella cochlearis ++ - + ++ + - + + + ++ +
18 Keratella cochlearis tecta - - - - - - - - - - -
19 Keratella hispida - - - - - - - - + - -
20 Keratella irregularis + - - - - + - - - - -
21 Keratella javana + - - - - - - - - - -
22 Keratella quadrata + + - - + - - + - ++ -
23 Keratella squamula - - - - - - - - - - -
24 Keratella testudo - - - - ++ - - - - - -
25 Keratella tropica + + + + + - - + + ++ +
26 Keratella valga ++ ++ + + +++ + + ++ ++ ++ ++
27 Lecane styrus - - - - - - - - - - -

28 Notholca striata - - - - - - - - - - -
29 Pompholyx complanta - - - - - - - - - - -
Polyarthra vuglaris
30 - - - - - - - - - - -
longiremis
31 Polyarthra dissimilaris - - - - - - - - - - -
32 Polyarthra mira - - - - - - - - - - -
33 Polyarthra remata - - - - - - - - - - -
34 Schyzocerca sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
35 Synchyta sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
36 Trichocerca sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
CLADOCERA
1 Alona guttata - - - - - - - - - - -
2 Bosmina longirostris + + - - - - - - + + +
3 Bosminopsis deitersi + - - - - + - - + + +
4 Ceriodaphnia cornuta + - - + + + - - - - -
5 Chydorus ovalis - - - - - - - - - - -
6 Ceriodaphnia reticulata - - + - + + - - - - -
7 Daphnia lumholtzi + + - + + + - - - - +
8 Diaphanosoma brachyurum - - + + + + - + + + +
9 Diaphnosoma sarsi - - - - - - - - - - -
10 Daphnia sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
11 Moina micrura - - - - - - - - - - -
COPEPODA
1 Diaptomus sp. + + - + + - - + + - +
2 Thermocyclops hyalinus + - - + + - + - - - -
3 Mesocyclops leukarti + + - - - - + - - - +
4 Harpacticoid sp. + - + + - - - + + + +

DINOFLAGELLATES
1 Ceratium hirundinella - - + - - - - + - - -
ROTIFERA
1 Asplanchna priodonta - - - - - - - + - - -
2 Anuropsis fissa - - - - - - - - - - -
3 Brachionus amphiceros - - - ++ + - -- - - - +
4 Branchious angularis - - - - - - - - - - -
5 Brachionus budapestinensis + + ++ - + + ++ - + - -
6 Brachionus dorcas - - + + - - ++ + - - -
7 Brachionus falcatus - - - + + - - - - - -
8 Brachionus forficula - - - - - - - - + - -
9 Brachionus plicatilis - - - + + + ++ - - - -
10 B. quadritentus f.brevispinus - - - - - - - - - - -
11 Brachionus quadridentatus + - - ++ - + ++ - + - +
12 Brachionus rubens - - - - - + - - - - -
13 B. calyciflorus - ++ +++ ++ ++ +++ ++ ++ ++ - +
14 Conochiloides sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
15 Filina longiseta - - - - - - - - - - -
16 Keratella asymmetrica - - - + - - - - - - -
17 Keratella cochlearis + + ++ + + + + + + - -
18 Keratella cochlearis tecta - - - - - - - - - - -
19 Keratella hispida - - - - - - - - - - -
20 Keratella irregularis - - - - - - - - - - -
21 Keratella javana - - - - - - - - - - -
22 Keratella quadrata + - - + - - ++ - + - -
23 Keratella squamula - - - - - + - - - - -
24 Keratella testudo - - - - - - - - - - -
25 Keratella tropica - + - - + + + + + - -
26 Keratella valga + + +++ +++ + +++ +++ + ++ + +
27 Lecane styrus - - - - - + - - - - -
28 Notholca striata - - - - - - - - - - -

29 Pompholyx complanta - - - - - - - - - - -
Polyarthra vuglaris
30 - - - - - - - - - - -
longiremis
31 Polyarthra dissimilaris - - - - - - - - - - -
32 Polyarthra mira - - - - - - - - - - -
33 Polyarthra remata - - - - - - - - - - -
34 schyzocerca sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
35 Synchyta sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
36 Trichocerca sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
CLADOCERA
1 Alona guttata - - - - - - - - - - -
2 Bosmina longirostris + + +++ ++ + - ++ ++ ++ + +
3 Bosminopsis deitersi + + - + + - + ++ + + +
4 Ceriodaphnia cornuta + + + + - + - + - - -
5 Chydorus ovalis - - - - - - - - - - -
6 Ceriodaphnia reticulata - + + - - - - + + - -
7 Daphnia lumholtzi + - - + + + - - - - -
8 Diaphanosoma brachyurum + - ++ + + + - + + - -
9 Diaphnosoma sarsi - - - - - - - - - - +
10 Daphnia sp. - - - - - - - - - - -
11 Moina micrura - - - - - - - - - - -
COPEPODA
1 Diaptomus sp. - - - + - - + - + - -
2 Thermocyclops hyalinus - - - - - + - + - - -
3 Mesocyclops leukarti + + - - + + - - + - -
4 Harpacticoid sp. - - - - - - - + - - -


St:23 St:24 St: St: St:27 St: St: St: St: 31 St:32 St: 33
Name of species
25 26 28 29 30
DINOFLAGELLATES
Ceratium hirundinella - + - - - - - - - - -
ROTIFERA
Asplanchna priodonta - - - - - - - - - - -
Anuropsis fissa - - +++ ++ - + + - + + ++
Brachionus amphiceros - - - - - - ++ - - - -
Branchious angularis - + + - - - +++ + - - ++
Brachionus budapestinensis - - - - - - - - - - -
Brachionus dorcas + - - - - - - - - - -
Brachionus falcatus - - - - - - - - - - -
Brachionus forficula - - - - - - - - - - -
Brachionus plicatilis + - - - - - - ++ ++ ++ -
B. quadritentus
- - - - - + - - - - +
f.brevispinus
Brachionus quadridentatus + - - - - - - - - - -
Brachionus rubens - - - - - - - - - - -
B. calyciflorus + - - - + - - - - - -
Conochiloides sp. - - ++ - + + ++ + - + ++
Filina longiseta - - - - - - - - - - +
Keratella asymmetrica - - - - - - - - - - -
Keratella cochlearis + - + - + + ++ + + - ++
Keratella cochlearis tecta - - - - - - - - - - -
Keratella hispida - - - - - - - - - - -
Keratella irregularis - - - - - - - - - - -
Keratella javana - - - - - - - - - - -
Keratella quadrata + - + + + + - + - + -
Keratella squamula - - - - - - - - - - -
Keratella testudo - - - - - - - - - - -
Keratella tropica + - - - - - - - - - -
Keratella valga +++ - +++ +++ ++ ++ +++ ++ +++ +++ +++
Lecane styrus - - - - - - - - - - -
Notholca striata + - - - - - - - - - -

Pompholyx complanta - - - - + - + - + + ++
Polyarthra vuglaris
- - + - - - - - - - -
longiremis
Polyarthra dissimilaris - - + - - - - - - + -
Polyarthra mira - - ++ ++ + + - - + + ++
Polyarthra remata - - - - - - + - - - -
schyzocerca sp. - - - - - - + - - - -
Synchyta sp. - - - - - - ++ - - - -
Trichocerca sp. - - - - - - + - - - +
CLADOCERA
Alona guttata - - - - - - - - - ++ -
Bosmina longirostris ++ ++ ++ + +++ ++ +++ -
Bosminopsis deitersi + - - - - - - - - - -
Ceriodaphnia cornuta + - - - - - - - - - -
Chydorus ovalis - - + - - - - - - - -
Ceriodaphnia reticulata - - - - - - - - - -
Daphnia lumholtzi + - - - - - - - - -
Diaphanosoma
+ - - - - - - - - - -
brachyurum
Diaphnosoma sarsi - - - - + - - ++ ++ ++ -
Daphnia sp. - + - - - - ++ ++ + -
Moina micrura - + + - + - + +++ - ++ -
COPEPODA
Diaptomus sp. + - + + ++ + + + +++ + ++
Thermocyclops hyalinus - - ++ ++ +++ ++ + ++ +++ ++ +++
Mesocyclops leukarti - - - - - - - - - - -
Harpacticoid sp. - - - - - - - - - - -

Quantitative contribution of plankton species of Indus River.
PLANKTON OF INDUS RIVER (number/l)
PHYTOPLANKTON
Melosira
1 21 18 9 15 13
Pediastrum
1 6 10 14 6
Spirogyra 9 21 14 12 12
2 ZOOPLANKTON
3 Dinoflagellate
4 Ceratium hirundinella 11 10 17 13
5 Rotifera
6 Brachionus budapestinensis 3 9 17 2 12
7 Brachionus falcatus 9
8 B. calyciflorus 5 22 9 9
9 Keratella cochlearis 11 12 9 16 12
10 Keratella tropica 9 17 10 18 25 17 13 22 9 20 9
11 Keratella valga 8 9 11 19 34 9 17 17 17 50 17
12 CLADOCERA
13 Bosmina longirostris 9 6 10 13 8 9 11 7 12
14 Ceriodaphnia cornuta 6 4 7 3 6 2 7
15 Diaphanosoma brachyurum 6 10 4 3 6 5 6
16 COPEPODA
17 Diaptomus sp. 3 9 6 5
18 Thermocyclops hyalinus 3 10 4 6 3
19 Mesocyclops leukarti 5 5 3 2 2

PLANKTON OF INDUS RIVER (number/l)
PHYTOPLANKTON
Melosira
1 9 11 9 14 9 6 9 8
Pediastrum
5 4 6 6 4 5 6
1 Spirogyra 6 4 33 5
2 ZOOPLANKTON
3 Dinoflagellate
4 Ceratium hirundinella 6 5 5 8
5 Rotifera
Anuropsis fissa 25 17 6 5 4 6 5 14
Brachionus
6 6 4 16 6 5 19 6
budapestinensis
7 Brachionus falcatus 8 11
8 B. calyciflorus 3 12 35 21 17 40 32 27 17 9
9 Keratella cochlearis 5 7 24 6 5 7 5 9 8
10 Keratella tropica 6 5 8 6 5 8
11 Keratella valga 6 5 44 38 7 37 47 6 22 10 8
12 CLADOCERA
13 Bosmina longirostris 4 3 15 9 4 8 9 7 4 5
14 Ceriodaphnia cornuta 5 4 4 5 5 5
Diaphanosoma
15 4 9 5 4 3 4 6
brachyurum
16 COPEPODA
17 Diaptomus sp. 3 4 4
18 Thermocyclops hyalinus 5 4 4
19 Mesocyclops leukarti 5 4 4 5 3


St:23 St:24 St: St: St:27 St: St: St: St: 31 St:32 St: 33
Name of species
25 26 28 29 30
PHYTOPLANKTON
Melosira
7 10 8 12 8 10 9
Pediastrum 5 7 6 7 9
Spirogyra 4 4 3 4
ZOOPLANKTON
Dinoflagellate
Ceratium hirundinella 6
Rotifera
Anuropsis fissa 32 16 8 5 6 7 22
Brachionus angularis 6 6 25 8 13
B. calyciflorus 7 6
Keratella cochlearis 6 7 5 6 15 7 4 10
Keratella tropica 7 3 4 5
Keratella valga 22 32 26 21 15 37 24 55 45 41
CLADOCERA
Bosmina longirostris 13 10 11 7 3 14 9 15
Ceriodaphnia cornuta 6 1
Diaphanosoma
5
brachyurum
Moina micrura 4 5 6 4 17 8
COPEPODA
Diaptomus sp. 4 7 6 12 5 6 3 15 5 11
Thermocyclops hyalinus 12 10 22 14 4 4 12 8 10
Mesocyclops leukarti

Pictures (phyto, Zoo Plankton & Fishes)
Pediastrum species
Diatom Melosira
Diatom Melosiraitalica
italicaand Dinoflagellate
andDinoflagellate Ceratium
Ceratium hirundinella
hirundinella
D

Common Brachionus species of Indus River

CommonBrachionusspecies of Indus River
Common Keratella species of Indus River

CommonKeratella species of Indus River
Cladocerans Bosmina longirostris and Daphnia lumholtzi

CladoceransBosmina longirostrisandDaphnia lumholtzi

Copepods Thermocyclops hyalinus and Mesocyclops leuckarti

CopepodsThermocyclops hyalinus
andMesocyclops leuckarti
Carp fishfish
Carp Labeo rohita
Labeo rohitaand Catlacatla
andCatla catla
Labeo gonius
Labeo gonius

Morakhi, Cirrhinus mrigala

Morakhi, Cirrhinus mrigala

Common carp Cyprinus carpio (mirror carp)

Common carpCyprinus carpio(mirror carp)
Tilapia Oreochromis mossombicus

Tilapia Oreochromis mossombicus
Catfish wallago
Catfish attu attu
wallago

Giant catfish Sperata seenghala

Giant catfishSperata seenghala
Catfish Clupisoma garua

CatfishClupisoma garua
Catfish Eutropichthys vacha

Catfish Eutropichthys vacha
Catfish Rita rita

Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis
Goby Glossogobius giuris

Goby Glossogobius giuris
Silver carp (exotic) Hypothalmichthys molitrix

G u d d u B a r r ag e t o Ko t r i B a r r a g e
References
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS

REFERENCES
Burbank, D. W., Beck, R. A. & Mul- Indus dolphin population in Punjab.

der, T. (1996). The Himalayan Fore- Proceedings of the Pakistan Congress
land basin. In A. Yin, & M. Harrison of Zoology 9:291-296.
(Eds.), The tectonic evolution of Asia
Baloch, W.A. (2000): Occurrence of
(pp. 149-188). Cambridge, United
planktonic communities in River
Kingdom: Cambridge University Press
Indus at Kotri barrage, Sindh,
Bhaagat, H.B., 1999. Introduction, Pakistan. Proc., Zool., Congress 2000.
distribution, conservation and behav-
Baloch, W.A. and A.N.Soomro (2004):
ioral ecology of Indus blind dolphin
Rotifers of the adjacent areas of Hy-
(Platanista indi) in River Indus (dol-
derabad, Sindh. Pak. J. Zool., 36
phin reserve), Sindh, Pakistan
(4):319-322.
Braulik, G.T., 2000. Entrapment of
Burdi, G.H, Baloch, W.A, Begum, F,
Indus dolphins (Platanista minor) in
Soomro, A.N and Khuhawar, M.Y.
irrigation canals: incidence, implica-
2008. Ecological studies on freshwa-
tions and solutions. International
ter Gastropods (snails) of Indus River
Whaling Commission, Scientific Com-
and its canals at Kotri Barrage,
mittee Document SC/52/SM9, Cam-
Sindh, Pakistan. Sindh. Univ. Res.
bridge, UK
Jour. (Sci. Ser.), 40 (2): 37-40.
Braulik, GT. 2003. Status of the
Battish, S. K., 1992. Freshwater Zoo-
Indus River Dolphin. WWF Pakistan.
plankton of India. Oxford and IBH
pp46.
publishing co. Pvt. Ltd. N. Delhi.
Braulik, GT. 2006. Status assessment
Beach, N.W., 1960. A study of the
of the Indus River Dolphin (Platanista
planktonic rotifers of the Presque Isle
gangetica minor). Biological Conserva-
County, Michigan. Ecol. Monogr., 30:
tion. 129:579-590.
339-357.
Braulik, GT. Status of the Indus River
Chaudhry, A.A., M.A. Maan and M.
Dolphin (Survey 2006). Per. Comm.
Akbar, 1999. Conservation of the
Chaudhry, AA. and Khalid, U. 1989. Indus Dolphin in the River Indus,
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS i

Punjab, Pakistan. Punjab wildlife re- Extended Abstract, The 5th Interna-
search institute,Faisalabd, Pakistan tional Conference on Asian Marine
pp: 47. Geology, Bangkok, Thailand
(IGCP475/APN)
Dr. Fernando Trujillo April – May
2007 Abundance Estimation of the Kasuya T. 1972. Some information on
Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcaella the growth of the Ganges dolphin with
Brevirostris Based On Mark and Re- a comment on the Indus dolphin. Sci.
capture Analysis of Photo-Identified Rep. Whales Inst.; 24: 87-108.
Individuals
Khan, W.A. & Hasnain, S.A. 2008.
Fernando, C.H., 1980. The freshwater Large Mammals at Indus for All Pro-
zooplankton of Sri Lanka with a dis- gramme Sites (Unpublished Report).
cussion of tropical freshwater zoo- WWF-P, Karachi. 88 pp. Khan, W.A.,
plankton composition. Int. Revue. ges. Qasim, M., Ahmad, E. and Bhaagat,
Hydrobiol., 65: 85-125 H. B. 2008.
Gillian T. Braulik March–April 2001 Muhammad Akbar,Abdul Qadeer

Status assessment of the Indus River Mehal and Muhammad Javeed Ar-
dolphin, Platanista gangetica minor, shad 2004 Population Estimation of
Indus Dolphin from Jinnah-Guudu
G.S. Gachal and 2F.M. Slater 2004
Barrage
Barrages, Biodiversity and the Indus
River Dolphin Mallin, M. A., Burkholder, G.M.,
Larsen, L.M. and Glasgow, H.B.Jr.
Haq, B. H., Hardenbol, J. & Vail, P. R.
1995. Response of two plankton graz-
(1987). Chronology of fluctuating sea
ers to an ichthyotoxic estuarine di-
levels since the Triassic. Science, 235,
noflagillate. J. Plank. Res., 17 (2):
1156-1162.
351-363.
Hallam A. (1992). Phanerozoic sea-

Mengestou, S., Green, J. and Fer-
level changes. New York, NY: Colum-
nando, C.H., 1991. Species composi-
bia University Press.
tion, distribution and seasonal
Inam, A., Khan, A.T.M., Amjad, S.,
dynamics of rotifera in a Rift Valley
Danish, M. and Tabrez, A.R. 2004.
Lake in Ethiopia. Hydrobiologia, 209:
Natural and manmade stresses on the
203-214.
stability of Indus deltaic eco-region.
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS ii

May, L., 1983. Rotifer occurrence in Reynolds, C. S, Descy, J.P and

relation to water temperature in Loch Padisdk, J. 1994. Are phytoplankton
Leven, Scotland. Hydrobiologia, 104: dynamics in rivers so different from
311-315. those in shallow lakes? Hydrobiologia,
289: 1-7.
Mizuno, T. and Takahashi, E., 1991.
An illustrated guide to freshwater Smith, B.D., Reeves, R.R., (2000),
Zooplankton in Japan. Tokai Univer- Survey methods for population As-
sity Press. sessment of Asian River dolphins in
R.R. Reeves, B.D. Smith and T. Ka-
Prescott, G.W. 1970: How to Know the
suya (eds). Biology and Conservation
Freshwater Algae; Wm C Brown,
of Fresh Water Cetacean in Asia,
Dubuque
IUCN Species Survival Commission
Occasional Papers No. 23
Reeves R.R. and Leatherwood, S.
(1995) Dams and River Dolphins: Can
Sinha, R.K., 1997. Status and conser-
They Co-exist? Ambio
vation of Ganges River dolphin in
Bhagirathi–Hooghly River systems in
Reeves, R.R., Chaudhry, A.A., Khalid,
India. International Journal of Ecol-
U., 1991. Competing for water on the
ogy and Environmental Sciences 23,
Indus plain: is there a future for Pak-
343–355.
istan’s river dolphins? Environmental
Conservation 18, 341–349.
Shreshtha TK. 1989. Biology, status
and conservation of the Ganges River
Reeves RR, Brownell Jr. RL. 1989.
dolphin, Platanista gangetica, in
Susu Platanista gangetica (Roxburgh,
Nepal. In: Perrin WF, Brownell Jr. RL,
1801) and Platanista minor Owen,
Zhou K, Liu J, editors.
1853. In: Ridgway SH, Harrison SR,
editors. Handbook of Marine
Biology and conservation of the river
Mammals.Vol. 4, River dolphins and
dolphins. Occasional Paper of the
the larger toothed whales. London,
IUCN Species
UK: Academic Press.pp. 69-99.
Survival Commission No.3. Gland,
R. K. Sinha, Sandeep Behera and B. C.
Switzerland: IUCN,. pp. 70-76.
Choudhary2010 Conservation Action
Plan for Conservation of the dolphin Talwar, P.K. and Jhingran, A.G. 1991
in Ganga River System Inland fishes of India and adjacent
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS iii

countries. vol I & II A.A. Balkema, Mammals. Based on Pakistan’s Con-

Rotterdam. servation Assessment and Manage-
ment Plan for Mammals. 344 pp.
WHO. 2003. Guidelines for drinking –
IUCN, Pakistan.
water quality.
Klesecker, M .J, Blaustein, R. A,
WWF Nepal. Status, Distribution and
Belden K.L. (2001). Complex causes of
Conservation Threats of Ganges River
amphibian population declines. Na-
Dolphin in Karnali River, Nepal
ture. Vol 410. 5 April. 681-684.
Distribution of Smooth coated otter

World Conservation Monitoring Cen-
(Lutrogale perspicillata) in Sindh,
tre (WCMC) 2000. London, Uk.
Pakistan (Unpublished Report). WWF-
P, Islamabad and Sindh Wildlife De-
partment. 41 pp.
Khan, W. A., Qasim, M., Ahmad, E.,

Akbar, G., Habib, A. H., Ali, H.,
Mueen, F., Chaudhry, A. A., Iqbal, S.,
Bhaagat, B. H., Akhtar, M., Ahmad,.
M. S., 2009. A survey of Smooth
Coated Otters (lutrogale perspicillata
sindica) in the Sindh province of Pak-
istan. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull.
26(1) 2009.
Roberts, T.J. 1997. The Mammals of

Pakistan. Revised Edition, Oxford
University Press, Karachi. 525 pp.
Roberts, T.J. 2005. Field guide to the
large & small sized mammals of Pak-
istan. Oxford University Press,
Karachi. 259 pp.
Sheikh, K.M. & Molur, S. 2005. (Eds.)

Status and Red List of Pakistan’s
Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS iv

Indus Dolphin Baseline Survey Report

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Indus Dolphin Baseline Survey Report

Uploaded by

Copyright:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

during the survey.

Sr. No Name Designation

1 Dr. Najam Khurshid Team Leader/Eco-hydrologist

2 Dr. Wazir Ali Baloch Freshwater Biologist

3 Mr. Attaullah Pandarani Biodiversity Expert

4 Mr. Saddar-ud-Din Plants Ecologist

5 Mr. Ather Khan Coordinator/Environmentalist

6 Mr. Shahzad Naqvi Plant Taxonomist

7 Mr. Shameem Fakhri Zoologist

8 Mr. Saeedullah Jatoi Plankton/Fish Expert

9 Mr. Anb Lal Plankton/Fish Expert

10 Mr. Muhammad Saleem Botanist

11 Mr. Saeed Ahmed Geologist/Data Analyst

12 Mr. Ghulam M. Giddani Wildlife Expert

13 Mir Akhtar Hussain Talpur Dolphin Expert

14 Mr. Altaf Kumber Plankton/Fish Expert

15 Ms. Robina Aziz Sociologist

Sr. No Name Designation

1 Mr. Shahid ur Rahman I.T/GIS Expert

2 Mr. Araz Muhammad Graphic Designer

2.0 STUDY AREAS

6.0 THREATS AND ISSUES IN DOLPHIN CONSERVATION

Annexure - I : List of Flora and fauna of the study area

Annexure - II : Result of the Physico Chemical and Microbiological

Annexure - III : Limnological studies of River Indus

Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS 1

APHA American Public Health Association

AWD Acidic Mine Drainage (a kind of special test)

CaCO3 Calcium Carbonate

CBOs Community Based Organizations

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

DAP Di-Ammonium Phosphate

ft/km Foot per Kilometer

GEMS Global Environmental Management Services

GIS Global Information System

GPS Global Positioning System

HgNO3 Silver Nitrate

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

Km/hr Kilometer per hour

Km2 Square Kilometer

m/s meter per second

m3/s Cubic meter per second

MAF Million Acre Feet

MBT Main Boundary Thrust

mg/l Milligram per liter

Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS i

mi2 Square Miles

MSL Mean Sea Level

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NGOs Non Government Organizations

NSDWQ National Standard for Drinking Water Quality

Psi Pound per square inch

SIDA Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority

SUPARCO Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission

t/ha Ton per hector

TDS Total Dissolved Solid

TSS Total Suspended Solids

USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

WHO World Health Organization

WWF World Wildlife Fund

Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS ii

Sindh Wildlife Department & GEMS 1-1

Phisiographically, Sindh can be divided

Relative Age: More than 3000 years BC

deposit sediments into three basins as;

● Indus Upper Basin III) Eastern Desert- including Pat