Bank Alfalah and WWF-Pakistan Join Hands to Protect the Endangered Indus River Dolphins

In a step further forward for environmental conservation, Bank Alfalah has taken an industrial banking heavyweight in Pakistan into launching a tie-up with WWF-Pakistan to protect the critically endangered Indus River blind dolphins. The development comes days after the bank promised planting 100,000 trees, demonstrating its commitment towards fighting local weather change and preserving biodiversity.

A PKR 8.5 Million Conservation Initiative

Bank Alfalah has allocated PKR 8.5 million to this initiative, which aims to protect the Indus River blind dolphins, one of the rarest freshwater dolphin species in the world. The dolphins are endemic to the Indus River and are under threat from habitat degradation, water pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

The project focuses on empowerment of the neighborhood communities and sustainability. The core elements of the activity are as follows:

• Formation of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): Establishment of 5 CBOs to provide the community-led framework for conservation.
• Training Programs for Fishers: Training 35 fishers on sustainable fishing so that the damage to the dolphins and their habitat will be reduced.
• Nature Clubs for Youth: Establishing 10 nature golf equipment to give environmental awareness amongst the young minds.
• Student Conservation Champions: Mobilizing seven hundred college students to be ambassadors for the cause, ensuring a generational shift in the direction of conservation-focused thinking.

Preserving a National Treasure

The Indus River blind dolphin, known locally as “Bhulan,” is an iconic species and an indicator of the river’s ecological health. This endeavor aims to not only protect the dolphins but also to draw attention to the importance of the conservation of the river’s biodiversity for future generations.

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