Rare Gangetic dolphins found in different rivers of Kailali district in far-west Nepal are threatened because of increased human activities, a study has found. According to the study, food and habitat of dolphins are dwindling due to poison fishing, construction of dams and deforestation in watershed areas. The study found that these gentle water animals have to struggle for survival as the water level in the rivers go down critically during winter. The district development committee awards contracts to fishermen to fish in these rivers. The dolphins have faced food shortage as the fishermen use large nets causing devastation to the fish population. The studies were conducted by Gopal Khanal and Dipendra Nath, students of the Institute of Forestry, Pokhara. The three month long study focused on the dolphin population during winter and impact of different factors on these animals enlisted by the IUCN as endangered. Khanal said that human activities increase considerably when the water level in these rivers are lower. “Dolphin habitats are dwindling. Though their numbers go up during summer due to arrival migratory animals, the population decreases during the dry season,” Khanal said. Oly six to eight dolphins remain as permanent residents during the winter in the Karnali and other rivers, he said. Karnali, Pathraiya, Kadha, Kandra and Mohana rivers are the habitat of dolphins in Kailali district. During the 1980s, there were large number of dolphins in these rivers. However, after the construction of large dams in the border area with India, the number of dolphins is found to have gone down in Karnali and Koshi rivers. In the first dolphin study conducted in 1982, around 20 dolphins were found in the Karnali river. The researchers claim that the population has declined now. The researchers also found that dolphin populations are limited only in deeper areas of the rivers. During the research, two dolphins were found at Khakraula Ghat and in the confluence of Karnali and Mohana rivers. A few were found at Sunkatti Ghat, Banghusra Ghat, Daulatpur, Rajapur and Daugurdi Ghat. The study claimed that dolphins were unable to migrate after India constructed Girijapuri Dam at Karnali River. Researchers also added that natural settlement of dolphins has been destroyed due to construction works at river area, water pollution and decreasing level of water. Those researchers plan to study during the rainy season to find out the numbers of visitor dolphins. Visitor dolphins come to Karnali mainly from Katarniyaghat and Ghagara rivers. The research was conducted with the support of Mohammad Bin Jayed Conservation Fund and Conservation Leadership Programme.