The sighting of the dolphins, which has enthused wildlife experts and nature lovers, has been confirmed by a two-member team from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) after undertaking a tour of the wetland, located near the international border between India and Pakistan.

The Harike wetland was formed after building a barrage downstream on the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers for storing and providing of irrigation and drinking water to parts of Punjab and neighbouring Rajasthan.

Rare sight

Termed as a "rarest of rare sightings", the Indus river dolphins were hitherto known only to be found in the rivers in Pakistan.

Conservationists are speculating that severe floods in the sub-continental river systems in 1988 might have transported these dolphins into the wetland.

The two member WWF team led by Dr Sandeep Bahera, dolphin Coordinator at the WWF India, went to Harike after a forest official  had claimed having sighted the endangered mammals two weeks ago. 

The team, while confirming sighting of six dolphins, recommended to the government to take immediate steps for protection and monitoring of these mammals.