Last week a couple of blind dolphins were found dead in two canals of the Sukkur Barrage system. The death of the two mammals has shocked zoologists and wildlife lovers because blind dolphins are a `declared` protected species.

It was in April 2008 that a blind dolphin was first found dead in one of the canals. If this rare species continues to die like this, environmentalists fear that one day blind dolphins will become extinct.

The causes of this tragedy have been debated over and over again but no organistation has come up with a plausible explanation. The fisheries department is not prepared to accept blind dolphins as fish therefore it doesn`t want to take any action for the conservation of the species. The wildlife department only accepts the carcasses of these dolphins.

The Indus dolphin, genetically known as Platanista Indi, is among the rarest species known as far as dolphins are concerned. It is closely related to Platanista Gangatica, which is mostly found in Brahamputra and Ganga rivers.
The existence of the Indus blind dolphin was first noticed in Pakistani rivers more than a century ago. Scientists believe that the dolphins lost their eyesight because of the turbid water in prehistoric days. As part of the evolutionary process nature gave them an extra-sonar ability to live without eyes and protect themselves from their prey. They lived without any danger and moved extensively from one river to another. But with the construction of six barrages, their existence is now in danger. Misconceptions such as blind dolphins can be used as an aphrodisiac have also made the greedy lot befool simple people and kill the species. However, the danger from barrages and other water mechanisms is more threatening.

A survey conducted in April 2001 revealed that the Indus River and its tributaries had 964 dolphins, and the number has now been reduced to 819. A majority of these dolphins lives in the lakes formed by the two barrages. The water resource between Guddu and Taunsa barrages has 256 animals while the Guddu-Sukkur lake has a total of 602 dolphins.

There are two main reasons for their untimely deaths (1) their effort to find food, generally during nighttime, takes them close to fishing nets and anchors. Some sail back to safety, others get trapped and die; (2) toxic water.

Waste material (effluent etc) thrown into the River Indus is doing no good to the dolphins. Experts believe that when these animals feel a rise in the toxic level they look and head for softer water, and in that pursuit they flow into the canals that take off from the main water works like the Sukkur Barrage. This becomes hazardous for them and lose their lives somewhere in a headwork mechanism.

As a first precautionary step, the organisations and industries that throw toxic waste into the Indus River beyond a certain level should be taken to task. Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should also be asked to ensure that the level of hazardous waste is maintained at all barrages.