The Karnali River, one of the major rivers of Nepal, has also been appearing suitable for dolphin habitat for many years. This research was carried out in the Karnali River of Nepal with the aims of preparing habitat map of dolphins in the Karnali River and also assessing conservation threats of dolphin at the local level.

The habitat map of the dolphin was prepared on the basis of both the study sightings and the local sightings. Altogether 100 households were surveyed around the Karnali River living within 3 km from the river distance. The questionnaire survey, group discussion, field observation and key-informants interview were done to assess conservation threats of dolphin at the local level and secondary data were used to know additional information on that matter. The descriptive statistical tools like pie chart and bar diagram were used to analyze the taken data. Similarly, Likert scale was used to determine the perception of the local people on different aspects of dolphin.

The Golaghat, Saijanaghat, Bindrabahi and Kothiaghat were found to be the major habitat of dolphin in Geruwa channel of Karnali river during winter season based on the study sightings. But, Lalmatighat, Sonahaphant, Manaughat and Orai dovan are also potential habitat for dolphins based on the local sightings.

The river dependent activities like intensive fishing, washing, bathing, livestock wallowing and transporting forest product are becoming the major threats of dolphin conservation as it is creating disturbances to aquatic ecosystem. Similarly, the increasing trend of using chemical fertilizer in the agriculture land is also adding up negative impacts to dolphin population in long run.

The perception of the local people varied in different aspects of dolphin. Comparatively, people living far from the river are more favor in dolphin conservation than the people living close to the river. However, all the people agreed on conserving dolphins once they will have alternate opportunities to survive. The poor socio-economic condition and large family size of the local people are the major causes of doing activities against dolphin conservation.

Frequent habitat monitoring of the dolphins should be done in the major areas to get timely information on status and distribution of dolphins for the dolphin conservation on the one hand. And, on the other hand, the local people should be mobilized actively in dolphin conservation work providing them alternate incentive.