54 dolphins recorded in Kailali rivers

By Avinash Chaudhary, Dhangadi, Jan. 8: Altogether 54 dolphins have been recorded in the rivers of Kailali this year. The Bardiya office of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), in collaboration with Dolphin, Aquatic and Biodiversity Conservation Nepal, documented the figure during a study conducted this year.

The study recorded 15 juvenile dolphins in the morning and eight in the evening.

Researchers carried out the survey during the dolphin observation season in August–September in Tikapur and Bhajani areas along the Mohana and Patharaiya rivers of Kailali. Scientific manners after providing training to local community members and ensuring their participation.

The team used technology to conduct morning and evening research, he said. The globally endangered Gangetic dolphin visit rivers in Kailali throughout the monsoon season and returns to lower coastal areas once water levels decline.

Previous studies by local conservationists had recorded up to 68 dolphins in Kailali. Compared to those figures, this year’s count remains lower, Tumbahamphe said, adding that the Trust will run dolphin studies annually. The Trust said that local-level efforts for dolphin conservation have demonstrated positive results.

The Trust stated that it did not conduct surveys in the upper stretches of the Mohana River, including areas of Kailari Rural Municipality and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City. Locals report that dolphins arrive as far as Phulbari in Dhangadhi during the monsoon. Conservationist Vijayraj Shrestha said dolphins had also appeared in the past beneath the bridge near Trinagar Customs office along the Mohana River.

Researchers made the study using observation methods across Kailali rivers.  Bhojraj Dhungana, Chairperson of Dolphin, presented the number of dolphin calves recorded this year and invaded last year’s figure.

He informed that the overall dolphin population remains slightly lower than in previous years. Authorities registered 62 dolphins in 2021 and counted 68 in 2022, while last year’s record stood at 50. Dolphin, Aquatic and Biodiversity Conservation Nepal have conducted dolphin counts at the local level for several years.