Dolphin population in Karnali river drops to three
Summary
The dolphin population in the Karnali river has dropped to just three, with habitat degradation and water level reduction cited as causes, while other rivers like Mohana sustain larger populations.
Key Points
- The dolphin population in the Karnali river has sharply declined to three individuals.
- A survey found only one dolphin in the Geruwa river, a branch of Karnali, while three were spotted in the southern Karnali stretch.
- Reduced water levels and natural exploitation are key factors behind the decline, according to conservation officials.
- In contrast, the Mohana river in Kailali has a relatively healthy population of 54 dolphins as per recent surveys.
