Dhangadhi, July 3: The rare Gangetic dolphin has been spotted in the
rivers of Kailali in far west Nepal.
With the rise in the water level in the rivers following the heavy rains
on Sunday, dolphins have been seen in the Mohana and Patharaiya rivers, and at
the confluence of the Mohana and Patharaiya rivers, Kandha and Pathraiya
rivers, and Patharaiya and Gairi rivers from early morning on Tuesday, said
conservationist Bhoj Raj Dhungana.
About 15 to 20 adult dolphins and calves were visible at those
locations.
“These dolphins have come here from the Karnali River. The swollen river
helped them to march upstream,” he said.
There is no record of the dolphins' availability in the rivers other
than the Karnali River in the dry season, while the longest river in the
country has been the habitat of the small whales.
Dolphins were found upstream of the Chisapani bridge for the first time
in the dry season this year in May.
The Gangetic dolphin found in the rivers of Nepal, India and Bangladesh is
known as ‘South Asian River Dolphin’. There are about 3,000 dolphins of this
species.
Secretary of the Dolphin Conservation Centre, Kailali, Bijaya Raj
Shrestha said that there should be facility to observe the dolphins in the
rivers, and it could contribute to tourism development in the district.
Dolphin conservation movement started in Kailali about two decades ago.
Dolphins are a protected animal in Nepal.
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