The Indus River Dolphin is not merely a rare aquatic animal. It is a living symbol of Pakistan’s natural heritage, the ecological importance of the Indus River and the centuries-old relationship between humanity and one of the world’s great river systems. The launch of the Indus Dolphin Rescue and Mobile Awareness Ambulance, supported by telecom operator Zong in partnership with WWF-Pakistan, therefore represents much more than a corporate social responsibility project. It is a practical conservation intervention and a distinctive new dimension of cooperation between Pakistan and China.
The initiative was formally inaugurated at the WWF-Pakistan office in Islamabad. Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik, Zong Chairman and CEO Huo Junli, WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan and Chinese embassy representative Yang Guangyuan attended the ceremony, along with senior representatives of the participating organizations. Their presence demonstrated that wildlife conservation requires cooperation among governments, businesses, environmental organizations and local communities.
Known locally as the bhulan, the Indus River Dolphin is found primarily in Pakistan’s Indus River system. It is functionally blind, but blindness should not be understood as a weakness. The dolphin has adapted remarkably to the Indus River’s naturally muddy and sediment-rich waters. It uses highly developed echolocation—repeated sound signals and returning echoes—to navigate, identify objects and locate fish. Its unusual habit of swimming on its side also helps it move through shallow river channels. These adaptations make it one of the most scientifically distinctive freshwater mammals in the world.
The species is listed as endangered and faces several interconnected threats. Dams and barrages have divided its natural habitat into isolated sections, while the diversion of water for irrigation has reduced freshwater flows in some areas. Dolphins may accidentally enter irrigation canals, where falling water levels can leave them stranded. Pollution, fishing-net entanglement, habitat degradation and declining fish stocks create additional pressures. WWF reports that the species is now confined to only a fraction of its former natural range.
Protecting the dolphin is also essential for protecting the Indus River itself. River dolphins are top predators and important indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. A stable dolphin population generally suggests that a river still supports adequate water flows, fish populations and ecological diversity. Conversely, a decline in dolphins can warn of pollution, overfishing, or wider deterioration in water quality. Protecting the dolphin consequently benefits fish, birds, riverbank vegetation, agricultural communities and millions of people whose livelihoods depend directly or indirectly on the Indus.
Pakistan’s conservation experience provides reasons for cautious optimism. WWF-Pakistan’s first major survey in 2001 recorded approximately 1,200 Indus River dolphins. Following years of cooperation involving WWF-Pakistan, the Sindh and Punjab wildlife departments, researchers, fishing communities and other partners, the estimated population has increased to around 2,000. Since the dolphin rescue program began in 1992, more than 200 stranded dolphins have reportedly been rescued and released into the river. These achievements show that determined and continuous action can help an endangered species recover.
However, previous progress must not produce complacency. A population of approximately 2,000 remains highly vulnerable, particularly when divided by barrages and exposed to climate-related changes in river flows. More frequent heatwaves, droughts, irregular rainfall and extreme flooding can alter freshwater habitats and increase pressure on aquatic species. As Dr. Musadik Malik observed, climate change is affecting Pakistan’s rivers, wildlife and natural heritage, making effective and coordinated action increasingly necessary.
The new dolphin ambulance can address an important operational weakness in conservation: the time required to reach a stranded or injured animal. When dolphins enter irrigation canals or become trapped in unsuitable sections of water, a delayed response can be fatal. A dedicated mobile unit will enable trained teams to transport rescue equipment, monitor emergencies and support the safe relocation of stranded dolphins to the main river.
The unit will focus particularly on the stretch between the Guddu and Sukkur barrages in Sindh, which supports the world’s largest remaining concentration of Indus River dolphins. The program also aims to engage more than 1,500 fisherfolk and members of riverine communities as frontline conservation partners and conduct 50 awareness sessions in remote settlements. This community component is essential because local fishers, boat operators and residents are often the first people to observe a stranded dolphin, illegal fishing activity, or a sudden change in river conditions.
Zong’s role gives the project additional significance. Zong, formally China Mobile Pakistan, is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation. Since entering Pakistan in 2007, the company has become an important participant in the country’s telecommunications and digital-development landscape. By supporting the dolphin rescue ambulance, Zong is extending its contribution beyond connectivity and technology into biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.
This is an important example of how businesses can move beyond conventional philanthropy. Instead of limiting assistance to a short-term donation or publicity campaign, the project provides an operational asset with measurable functions: rescue, monitoring, awareness, community mobilization and safe translocation. Its success can be assessed through response times, rescue outcomes, community participation and improvements in ecological data.
The initiative also adds a unique environmental dimension to Pakistan–China relations. Cooperation between the two countries already covers infrastructure, trade, energy, telecommunications, education, science, technology and cultural exchange. Wildlife protection, however, represents a particularly humane and future-oriented form of collaboration. It demonstrates that friendship between states is not limited to roads, power projects, or commercial investment. It can also protect rivers, ecosystems and endangered species that cannot speak or advocate for themselves.
Pakistan has good reason to express sincere appreciation to Zong and WWF-Pakistan for turning environmental responsibility into practical action. The participation of the Chinese embassy further reflects the supportive spirit behind the initiative. The people and Government of Pakistan also value the wider goodwill of the Chinese people and government, whose longstanding friendship has created opportunities for cooperation in both traditional and emerging fields.
Nevertheless, the ambulance should be regarded as the beginning of a broader mission rather than its conclusion. Pakistan still requires stronger controls on river pollution, more effective regulation of harmful fishing practices, improved management of environmental flows, and scientific monitoring and rapid-response networks across the dolphin’s entire habitat. Universities and technology companies can contribute through acoustic monitoring, satellite tracking, water-quality sensors, geographical information systems, and mobile reporting platforms.
The survival of the Indus River Dolphin is a test of Pakistan’s ability to balance development with ecological responsibility. The partnership among Zong, WWF-Pakistan, government institutions, and local communities offers a credible model for achieving that balance. By protecting this rare species, Pakistan and China are not only preserving an exceptional animal; they are protecting the health of the Indus River and demonstrating that international friendship can produce meaningful benefits for nature and future generations.
印度河海豚不仅是一种罕见的水生动物，更是巴基斯坦自然遗产、印度河生态重要性以及人类与世界著名河流系统之间数百年来深厚关系的生动象征。因此，由电信运营商Zong与世界自然基金会巴基斯坦分会合作推出的“印度河海豚救援及流动宣传救护车”项目，所蕴含的意义远不止是一项企业社会责任计划。这是一次切实可行的保护行动，也是巴基斯坦与中国的合作中一个独特而新颖的体现。
该倡议在伊斯兰堡的WWF巴基斯坦办事处正式举行启动仪式。联邦气候变化与环境协调部长穆萨迪克·马利克博士、主席兼首席执行官胡俊力、WWF巴基斯坦总干事哈马德·纳基汗以及中国驻巴基斯坦大使杨光远出席了仪式，参与机构的高级代表也一同到场。他们的出席表明，野生动物保护需要政府、企业、环保组织和当地社区之间的合作。
印度河海豚在当地被称为“布伦”，主要分布于巴基斯坦的印度河水系。这种海豚虽然功能上失明，但不应将其理解为一种弱点。它已高度适应了印度河天然浑浊且富含沉积物的水域环境。它依靠高度发达的回声定位能力——通过反复发出声音信号并接收返回的回声——来导航、识别物体和寻找鱼类。它独特的侧卧游动习性也有助于在浅水河段中移动。这些适应特征使其成为世界上科学上最具特色的淡水哺乳动物之一。
该物种被列为濒危物种，面临多种相互关联的威胁。大坝和水坝将其自然栖息地分割成孤立区域，而为灌溉引水导致部分地区淡水流量减少。海豚可能意外进入灌溉渠道，当水位下降时，它们会陷入困境。污染、渔网缠绕、栖息地退化以及鱼类数量减少进一步加重了压力。世界自然基金会报告称，该物种如今仅限于其原有自然分布范围的一小部分。
保护海豚对于保护印度河本身同样至关重要。河豚是顶级掠食者，也是淡水生态系统健康状况的重要指标。稳定的海豚种群通常意味着河流仍具备足够的水量、鱼类资源和生态多样性。相反，海豚数量的减少可能预示着污染、过度捕捞或水质进一步恶化。因此，保护海豚不仅有利于鱼类、鸟类和河岸植被，也惠及依赖印度河直接或间接谋生的数百万民众。
巴基斯坦的保护经验为谨慎乐观提供了依据。2001年，世界自然基金会（WWF）巴基斯坦开展的首次大规模调查记录了约1200头印度河海豚。在随后多年中，WWF巴基斯坦与信德和旁遮普野生动物部门、研究人员、渔民社区及其他合作伙伴持续合作，估计种群数量已增长至约2000头。自1992年海豚救援项目启动以来，据报告已有超过200头搁浅海豚被救起并放归河流。这些成果表明，坚定而持续的努力有助于濒危物种的恢复。
然而，过去的进展不应导致自满。约2000人的群体仍高度脆弱，尤其在遭遇水坝拦截以及气候相关河流流量变化的情况下更为明显。更频繁的热浪、干旱、降雨不均和极端洪水可能改变淡水栖息地，并加剧对水生物种的压力。正如穆萨迪克·马利克博士所指出的，气候变化正在影响巴基斯坦的河流、野生动物和自然遗产，因此采取有效且协调一致的行动变得愈发必要。
新型海豚救援救护车可解决保护工作中一个重要的操作难题：即到达搁浅或受伤海豚所需的时间。当海豚进入灌溉渠道或被困在不适宜的水域时，若反应迟缓可能导致致命后果。配备专用移动设备后，训练有素的团队便能及时运送救援物资、监控紧急情况，并协助将搁浅的海豚安全转移至主河道。
该项目将重点关注信德省古杜水坝与苏库尔水坝之间的区域，该地区是世界上现存数量最多的印度河豚栖息地。项目还旨在动员超过1500名渔民和沿岸社区成员作为一线保护合作伙伴，并在偏远村落开展50场宣传教育活动。这一社区参与环节至关重要，因为当地渔民、船员和居民往往是最早发现搁浅海豚、非法捕捞行为或河流环境突然变化的人群。
宗公司的参与为该项目增添了重要意义。宗公司正式名称为中国移动巴基斯坦公司，是中国移动通信集团公司全资子公司。自2007年进入巴基斯坦以来，该公司已成为该国电信和数字发展领域的重要参与者。通过支持海豚救援救护车项目，宗公司正将其贡献从网络连接和技术拓展至生物多样性保护与环境保护。
这是一个重要的范例，展示了企业如何超越传统的慈善行为。该项目不仅限于短期捐赠或宣传推广，而是提供了一项具有可衡量功能的运营性资产：救援、监测、公众意识提升、社区动员以及安全转移。其成效可通过响应时间、救援成果、社区参与度以及生态数据的改善情况来评估。
这一倡议也为巴基斯坦与中国关系增添了独特的环境维度。两国之间的合作已涵盖基础设施、贸易、能源、电信、教育、科技和文化交流等领域。然而，野生动物保护则是一种尤为人道且具有前瞻性的合作形式。它表明，国家间的友谊不仅限于道路、电力项目或商业投资，还能保护河流、生态系统以及那些无法发声或自我维权的濒危物种。
巴基斯坦有充分的理由向宗先生和世界自然基金会巴基斯坦分会表示诚挚的感谢，感谢他们将环保责任转化为实际行动。中国大使馆的参与进一步体现了这一倡议背后的支持精神。巴基斯坦人民和政府也高度赞赏中国政府和人民长期以来的善意，双方深厚的传统友谊为传统领域和新兴领域的合作创造了机遇。
然而，救护车应被视为一项更广泛使命的开端，而非终点。巴基斯坦仍需加强对河流污染的管控，更有效地规范有害捕捞行为，改善对环境流量的管理，并在海豚栖息地的整个范围内建立科学监测和快速响应网络。大学和科技公司可通过声学监测、卫星追踪、水质传感器、地理信息系统以及移动报告平台等方式提供支持。
印度河海豚的生存状况，考验着巴基斯坦在发展与生态保护之间取得平衡的能力。宗、世界自然基金会巴基斯坦分会、政府机构以及当地社区之间的合作，为实现这一平衡提供了一个可信的范例。通过保护这一珍稀物种，巴基斯坦和中国不仅守护了一种非凡的动物，也维护了印度河的生态健康，并证明了国际友谊能够为自然和子孙后代带来切实的益处。
Reference Link:- https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0720/c90000-20479503.html