Dhaka, Feb. 17 -- The death of dolphins in the Halda River, a part of the national heritage, continues unchecked, as the number of dead dolphins has increased to 45 this year.

A dead dolphin was recovered from the Kagatia Canal linked to the Halda River in West Guzra Union of Raozan Upazila on February 12. Earlier, another dead Gangetic dolphin was found in January and another in December last year.

Dr Manzoorul Kibria, a professor of zoology at the University of Chittagong and coordinator of the Halda River Research Laboratory, said, "According to the upazila fisheries department, this is the 45th dead dolphin since 2018. Two dead dolphins have so far been recovered this year.

"A total of 18 dead dolphins were discovered in the river ...