Dolphin Conservation Action Plan (2021-2025).

This Dolphin Conservation Action Plan (2021-2025) aims to secure dolphin population against emerging threats and recover in the current and historical freshwater ecosystem. Four objectives have been set: 1. Enhance the understanding and knowledge on conservation status, ecology, and habitat dynamics of dolphin; 2. Protect and manage the dolphin population and their habitat; 3. Strengthen and extend participatory dolphin conservation programs; 4. Strengthen cooperation and coordination on dolphin conservation at the national and international level.
Furthermore, the plan incorporates priority actions to address threats of dolphin. Under the Objective 1, actions proposed under the Objective 1 include: Develop robust and reliable baseline information on population size and distribution for whole Nepal; Map potential, optimal and marginal dolphin habitat identifying key hotspots across its current distribution in Nepal; Study on habitat dynamics in response to natural and anthropogenic factors; Model potential climate change impacts on dolphin habitat; Assessment of the impact of pesticide and industrial waste on dolphin and its habitat; etc. Actions under Objective 2 include: Promote to construct fish ladder and mechanism for dolphin movement in dams and barrage; Establish the mechanism for rescue of dolphin and develop protocols for rescue and handling; Reduce deforestation in upstream habitat to stop siltation and widening of the river channel; Reduce the inflow of pollutants from agricultural fields, urban and industrial area to the dolphin habitat; etc. Actions under Objective 3 include: Awareness program in Mallaha-Bote-Majhi-Musahar community; Construction and management of fish pond, involving river dependent people and involve in benefit sharing; Establish Dolphin Friends' Group involving local youth and river dependent people; etc. Actions under Objective 4 include: Conduct Nepal-India transboundary level meeting for conservation of shared dolphin habitat; Conduct joint field surveys to estimate population of river dolphin along the trans-border area; etc.