Following a recent rafting expedition, the Adventure Foundation Pakistan is planning an ecotourism project, described here by Aysha Ahmed and Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana.

Recently the Adventure Foundation Pakistan organized a rafting expedition from Attock to Ghazi Ghat. The purpose of this expedition was to raise awreness about Indus dolphins and their unique habitat and to establish navigational possibilities for ecotourism excursions by boat and raft.

The expedition departed on two inflatable rafts from Attock on 12th January 2001, finishing at Ghazi Ghat 6 days later. During the expedition the team passed through Khushalgarh, makhad, Kalabagh, chashma, Dera Ismail Khan, Taunsa Barrage and Ghazi Ghat near Dera Ghazi Khan. Members of the team, led by Aftab-ur-Tehman, were Dr Shahid Ghafoor, Naveed Anjum, Khalid, Shahab Kakvi, usman Khan, Umer Aziz, Salman Rashid and Gill Braulik.

On the way, the team held meetings with different groups of fisherman living along the river to discuss possibilities for protecting the dolphins.

Young people living upstream of Taunsa Barrage were not familiar with the sight of Indus River dolphins, known locally as Bhulan. But the older generation, who are much more aware of them, told the story of a fish which sometimes used to come out of the water for a short time, and which resembled a women's profile. Because of media coverage, younger people are now becoming more interested in dolphins, and they know it is not a fish but a mammal. These days, being Muslim people do not hunt dolphins for food, but sometimes they kill them for use in medicines. A decade ago the Hindu community living in the area hunted Bhulan for food.

During discussions about the survival of this unique mammal, fishermen argued logically that problems like health, education, economic issues, and living conditions should be of more concern that the conservation of the dolphin. As part of the consultations, fishermen were advised about the whole process of ecotourism and dolphin conservation and the ways this will directly benefit them and resolve many of their current problems.

Activities undertaken during the trip included recording useful information about the ecosystem of the river, especially about the dolphins' habitat. Other river conservation issues raised included the problems with erosion of the river bank, and the dangers to wildlife from increasing pollution, especially around Dera Ismail Khan and Kalabagh, where untreated waste water falls directly into the river. Another area of environmental concern is the threat to the ecosystem posed by the introduction of a larger fish known locally as Fauji Khaga or Mujahid, which is eating the smaller indigenous fish.

Following an evaluation of the results of the rafting expedition, the Adventure Foundation Pakistan has initiated an Indus Dolphin Ecotourism Project. As part of the project, they will arrange Indus River Boat Safaris, with special emphasis on viewing endangered river dolphins.

The River Boat Safari aim to:

• Raise awareness about the Indus River ecosystem and its unique inhabitants.

• Encourage the local community of fishermen to become guardians of the dolphins.

The safaris will be in two stages, between Kalabagh and Ghazi Ghat. For those with a taste for adventure, the trips from Attock Gorge to Kalabagh will provide a thrilling experience, while those between Taunsa and Ghazi Ghat will provide an excellent chance for tourists to enjoy the tranquility of the river. As well as dolphins, visitors will have the chance to see other wildlife inhabiting the upper part of the Indus River, including a large number of migratory birds, and a few species of turtles and otters.

Ecotourism trips will also offer the opportunity to visit historical sites in the are, including Uch Sharif, Derawar Fort and Multan, as well as observing the culture and lifestyles of people in the villages in southern Punjab. If properly managed, Ecotourism can enrich the lives of the visitors and local people, and help to save the dolphins.

The program will work to:

• Ensure that all income generated by ecotourism is managed by a co-operative society of boat people

• Offer technical guidance to boat people to upgrade their boats and improve safety for visitors.

• Train individuals to be certified Indus guides.

• Encourage fishermen to market and refine their traditional handicrafts, such as embroidery and basketry, during the off-season.