Jakarta, Feb. 8 -- Indonesia's Environment Ministry has designated two villages in East Kalimantan as official Conservation Villages to safeguard the critically endangered Mahakam Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), a rare freshwater species found only in the Mahakam River.

The announcement was made on Saturday by ministry official Rasio Ridho Sani, who emphasized that the dolphin is not only a protected species but also a vital indicator of the river's ecological health.

"Preserving its habitat must be a collective effort involving government, businesses, universities, NGOs, and local communities," he said, delivering remarks on behalf of Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq during a working visit to the Mahakam Marine Cons...