The Indus river dolphin was described in 1853 by Richard Owen under the name Platanista gangetica, var.

[3] The Indus and Ganges river dolphins were initially classified as a single species, Platanista gangetica.

However, more recent studies of genes, divergence time, and skull structure support both being distinct species.

The species does not have a crystalline eye lens, rendering it effectively blind, although it may still be able to detect the intensity and direction of light.

A possible explanation is that several north Indian rivers such as the Sutlej and Yamuna changed their channels in ancient times while retaining their dolphin populations.

[9] It is thought that the Indus river dolphin swims on its side to efficiently navigate shallow waters during the dry season.

Some dolphins are still caught each year for their oil and meat that is used as a liniment, as an aphrodisiac and as bait for catfish.

Perhaps the most significant issue is the building of dozens of dams along many rivers, causing the segregation of populations and a narrowed gene pool in which dolphins can breed.

[11] A demonstrable increase in the main river population of the Indus subspecies between 1974 and 2008 may have been driven by permanent immigration from upstream tributaries, where the species no longer occurs.

[13] Another factor for its decline is the construction of cross-river structures such as dams and barrages causing more isolation of the already small sub-populations.

[13] Studies suggest that a better understanding of this species ecology is needed in order to develop good conservation plans.