Two day capacity building session on Indus River Dolphin conservation held for fishermen in D.I.Khan

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Jun, 2026) A two-day Capacity Building session for fishermen and fish contractors was organized by the D.I. Khan Wildlife Division under the project “Conservation of Indus River Dolphin in D.I. Khan”.

The workshop was attended by a large number of fishermen and fish contractors from the project area.

Officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department, including Khan Malook Khan, Divisional Forest Officer, D.I. Khan Wildlife Division; Abdul Haleem Khan, Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Coordination, MAIP Forestry Sector – Wildlife Component, Peshawar and others participated in the event.

Mulazim Hussain, Assistant Director Fisheries Department D.I. Khan and staff from the Fisheries Department were also present in the workshop.

The Primary objective of the workshop was to enhance participants’ understanding of the ecological significance of the Indus River Dolphin and to promote the adoption of dolphin-safe fishing practices.

As key stakeholders in the riverine ecosystem, fishermen and fish contractors were sensitized to their vital role in conserving aquatic biodiversity and supporting sustainable fisheries management.

During the sessions, participants were provided with comprehensive presentations highlighting the major threats facing the Indus River Dolphin, including accidental entanglement in fishing gear, habitat degradation and disturbance and the unsustainable exploitation of aquatic resources.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

The presentations emphasized the importance of community participation and stakeholder cooperation in mitigating these threats and ensuring the long-term survival of this endangered species.

The awareness sessions were conducted through visual presentations and interactive discussions. Key topics included dolphin-friendly fishing practices, compliance with seasonal fishing bans, adherence to approved fishing gear restrictions and the appropriate procedures for reporting stranded, injured, or entangled dolphins to the relevant authorities.

Participants were encouraged to adopt responsible and sustainable fishing practices and to actively contribute to conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Indus River Dolphin and maintaining the ecological integrity of the river ecosystem.

The workshop concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants shared their experiences, discussed field-level challenges and gained a clearer understanding of their role in supporting dolphin conservation and sustainable fisheries management initiatives.

At the conclusion of the training program, certificates were awarded to all participants in recognition of their successful participation in the workshop.