Dhaka, Oct. 24 -- October 24 is International Freshwater Dolphin Day. Crisscrossed by rivers, Bangladesh is among the few countries where these gentle creatures can still be found in freshwater systems. Locally, they are known as shushuk.

The sight of a shushuk suddenly surfacing and leaping out of the calm waters of a flowing river was once a familiar scene in rural Bangladesh. Today, river pollution and environmental degradation have made such encounters increasingly rare. International Freshwater Dolphin Day is an opportunity to reflect anew on the importance of protecting these animals and the steps we must take to ensure their survival.

Two species of freshwater dolphins are primarily found in Bangladesh. One is the Ganges River Do...