Report Efforts Intensify to Save Critically Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins in Songkhla Lake

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Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a bid to protect the shrinking population of Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake, Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is ramping up conservation measures as the dolphin numbers have dwindled to a mere 17. This critical situation was underscored during Minister Chalermchai Sri-on's visit on May 19, where he stressed the necessity of balancing conservation efforts with infrastructural development, notably the Songkhla Lake bridge.

 

The Irrawaddy dolphin, one of just five freshwater dolphin species, is teetering on the edge of extinction in the region. Reflecting the urgency, the ministry has unveiled a comprehensive 10-year conservation plan (2024-2033). This strategy focuses on mitigating threats, rehabilitating habitats, and encouraging community-based eco-tourism to boost sustainable local economies.

 

Director General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Pinsak Suraswadi, identified fishing gear entanglement as the main risk, accounting for 68.6% of dolphin deaths. Additional threats include pollution, sedimentation, and decreasing fish stocks. In response, the department has instituted protective zones, banned dangerous fishing equipment, and set up a dolphin monitoring system, while advocating for policy changes to safeguard these dolphins in the long term.

 

Minister Chalermchai also highlighted the need for the Songkhla Lake Bridge project to proceed in an environmentally conscious manner. The bridge, designed to cut travel between Songkhla and Phatthalung from 80 to seven kilometres, must not compromise the lake’s ecological balance. "Safeguarding the Irrawaddy dolphin is a collective duty. We must collaborate to ensure this national treasure endures for future generations," he stated.

 

Earlier this year, an Irrawaddy dolphin sighting in the Prachin Buri River garnered public attention when it was spotted near Wat Bang Tan on January 21. This prompted local officials to draft relocation strategies and increase monitoring in light of potential saline water intrusion, underscoring the broader challenges faced by these remarkable creatures.

 

The combined efforts highlight a nationwide commitment to preserving the Irrawaddy dolphins and fostering harmony between development projects and ecological conservation.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-21