Indus Dolphin Reserve, Wetland reserve on River Indus, Pakistan
The Indus Dolphin Reserve is a protected wetland area along the Indus River in Pakistan between the Guddu and Sukkur Barrages. It provides habitat for freshwater dolphins found nowhere else, and researchers regularly monitor this population.
The area received protection in 1974 following World Wide Fund for Nature recommendations. In May 2001 it gained Ramsar site status, recognizing its importance as a wetland of international significance.
The reserve holds sacred spaces for different faiths: Hindu pilgrims visit the Sadhu Bella shrine while the Muslim graveyard Satinjo Astan sits nearby. These two religious sites show how the river connects the local communities through their spiritual traditions.
The cooler months offer better viewing conditions as the water clarity improves and the heat becomes more manageable. Hiring a local guide can help you find the best observation points along the riverbanks and spot dolphins more effectively.
The dolphins here have adapted to navigate through murky water with minimal reliance on sight. They use echolocation similar to bats, bouncing sounds off objects to sense their surroundings and hunt effectively.
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