BANK Alfalah has partnered with World Wildlife Fund Pakistan, committing Rs8.5 million to safeguard the endangered Indus River blind dolphins, as per a press release.

The partnership will engage local communities by establishing five Community-based organisations, training 35 fishers, establishing 10 nature clubs, and empowering 700 students to become conservation champions, ensuring a brighter future for this unique species.

Indus River dolphins, locally known as `Bhulan`, face an alarming decline and are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Its population has declined to a mere 20pc of its historical range due to a confluence of threats such as habitat loss, entanglement in fishing nets, and pollution.

Commenting on the partnership, Madiha Javed Qureshi, Head of Corporate Communication at Bank Alfalah, said, `We are proud to collaborate with the World Wildlife Fund on this one-of-a-kind initiative, which highlights a unique species of dolphins which only has a habitat in the Indus River. Through this partnership, we will engage local communities in safeguarding dolphin habitats, raising awareness, and ultimately helping to grow their population, preserving a natural treasure that holds special significance for Pakistan.`•