The Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes the species as a critically endangered species as a result of its projected inhabitants decline of greater than 80 p.c over the previous decade.
In Indonesia, in keeping with monitoring by the Ministry of Atmosphere, the Mahakam dolphin inhabitants has decreased from 66 in 2025 to 62 as of February 2026.
Biologically, the Mahakam dolphin, which eats fish and shrimp, breathes utilizing its lungs and is assessed as a freshwater mammal. Its physique is grey to darkish blue in colour.
This endemic species, regionally often called “pesut,” lives in teams and has distinctive bodily traits that distinguish people from each other—just like human fingerprints. Variations might be seen of their fins and the form of the nape.
In line with WWF Indonesia, the Mahakam dolphin performs an important function as a bioindicator of water high quality. Sections of the Mahakam River the place dolphins are nonetheless discovered, in addition to indicators of the presence of fish and shrimp which are nonetheless ample.
Subsequently, it is very important shield this species from the specter of extinction as a result of a lower in habitat high quality attributable to human actions and lowered meals availability.
The Ministry of Atmosphere has recognized key threats to the Mahakam dolphin, together with land conversion and clearing in upstream areas, coal mining actions that impression water high quality in addition to unlawful practices akin to using electrofishing and fish bombs.
As well as, heavy river visitors—significantly coal barges—can be suspected of disrupting the dolphins’ navigation and important habitats.
Associated information: Most whale, dolphin habitats off Sumatra exterior protected areas: BRIN
Emergency measures
To be able to save the Mahakam dolphin inhabitants, the ministry is making ready emergency measures which embrace regulation enforcement in opposition to firms contributing to environmental injury that results in the loss of life of dolphins.
Just lately, the Ministry of Atmosphere suspended the operations of two firms suspected of polluting the Mahakam River, contributing to the decline within the dolphin inhabitants.
Atmosphere Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq emphasised that environmental regulation enforcement and monitoring will proceed to make sure that all actions within the river space—which is the pure habitat of the Mahakam dolphin—adjust to established laws.
To guard this mammal native to East Kalimantan, he continued, environmental regulation enforcement can be carried out pretty and equitably.
The ministry’s deputy for regulation enforcement had discovered PT GBE, which operates within the coal transportation and gross sales sector, to have violated the regulation by setting up a jetty with out environmental approval.
In the meantime, PT ML, which operates within the ship-to-ship sector, was discovered to have violated the regulation by not having a spatial use approval for the location and mooring of the Coal Transhipment Barge (CTB).
The corporate additionally lacked environmental approval for the location and mooring of CTB I and CTB II.
Each firms have been instantly topic to strict motion, with all operational actions suspended.
Along with regulation enforcement, the federal government has designated two villages in Kutai Kartanegara Regency as conservation villages to accentuate rescue efforts.
The newly designated villages—Muhuran in Kota Bangun Sub-district and Sabintulung in Muara Kaman Sub-district—be part of Pela Village, which had beforehand obtained conservation standing.
The initiative highlights the ecological significance of the Mahakam River and Lake system, which helps numerous wildlife together with proboscis monkeys, otters, herons, and quite a few aquatic species, whereas additionally enjoying a strategic function in local weather change mitigation and adaptation.
The ministry’s Deputy for Air pollution and Environmental Harm Management, Rasio Ridho Sani, confused that each one financial actions within the area—from fisheries and river transport to plantations, mining and tourism—have to be managed responsibly to keep away from harming the dolphin’s fragile habitat.
He additionally known as for stronger waste and sewage administration to cut back water air pollution and shield biodiversity.
The ministry has opened channels for public reporting of environmental injury, making certain follow-up by regulation enforcement.
Officers hope the Mahakam Dolphin Conservation Space will function a mannequin of sustainable biodiversity administration, delivering honest advantages for each nature and native communities, and demonstrating the ability of cross-sector collaboration in environmental safety.
Associated information: Indonesia investigates deaths of two endangered Mahakam dolphins
Cross-sectoral coordination
Collaborative efforts involving authorities, enterprise, universities, NGOs and native communities are required to protect the habitat of the Mahakam dolphin.
Head of the East Kalimantan Forestry Workplace, Joko Istanto, emphasised the need of cross-sectoral coordination to safeguard this uncommon freshwater species.
“They’re property not solely of our province but additionally of the nation and the world. They have to be preserved,” he famous.
Istanto highlighted that his company’s main function is to forestall the silting of the Mahakam River, the dolphin’s habitat, by efficient administration of upstream forests and the river’s riparian zones.
He reminded stakeholders that compliance with environmental permits and operational standards for firms close to the river have to be strictly enforced to guard the dolphin habitat.
“We additionally must re-evaluate the distribution of accountability for Environmental Influence Evaluation amongst central, provincial and district authorities to make sure efficient monitoring,” he remarked.
Finally, defending the Mahakam dolphin inhabitants isn’t solely necessary for sustaining the ecosystem and serving to management fish populations for fishermen, but additionally for preserving the biodiversity of Indonesia—particularly East Kalimantan.
Associated information: E Kalimantan steps up efforts to guard Mahakam River dolphins
Associated information: Indonesia outlines measures to guard endangered Mahakam dolphin
Associated information: Indonesia to dam coal ships in Mahakam to guard endangered dolphin
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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