Save the ‘Bhullan’

Every rhythmic flow in the Indus River once carried the quiet melodies of the place the Indus river dolphin calls home. In this era of neglect, that voice is lost. The primary contributor is our negligent practices, which pollute the river and push this majestic being to the brink of extinction. Once living abundantly across the Indus River system, fewer than 2,000 of these remarkable creatures remain, confined to scattered sections of the river. The fate of this species is a measure of our commitment to environmental protection and the preservation of our shared heritage, greater than the scope of wildlife conservation. Plastics and pollutants dumped into rivers are invisible threats, choking aquatic ecosystems and pushing vulnerable species like the Indus river dolphin toward extinction.

The Indus river dolphin is a key part of the ecological and cultural identity of Pakistan. Protecting it necessitates fast-paced measures such as enforcing anti-pollution laws, promoting waste management practices, and encouraging riverside people with eco-friendly alternatives.

Muhammad Shahjahan Memon

Islamabad