Meerut, May 30 -- A Ganga dolphin was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Ganga near Brijghat in Garhmukteshwar, Hapur district, on Friday, triggering concern among environmental authorities and locals. Following the incident, a team from the forest department rushed to the spot, recovered the dolphin from the river, and launched a detailed investigation into the cause of death. According to locals, the dolphin had drifted into the Garh Ganga region from upstream areas. Early in the morning, devotees and local people noticed the carcass floating in the river and immediately informed the forest department. Forest department personnel reached the site and carried out an operation to retrieve the dead dolphin from the river. Officials also began inspecting nearby riverbank areas to determine the circumstances leading to the animal's death. Preliminary suspicions suggest the dolphin may have been injured after getting trapped in a hunter's net, though authorities have not ruled out other possibilities. The incident sparked widespread discussion among locals, especially considering the protected status of the Ganga dolphin, which is India's national aquatic animal. Conservationists and officials alike have expressed concern over the possible threat to aquatic wildlife in the river ecosystem. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Gautam Singh stated that the exact cause of death has not yet been determined. He said the matter would become clear only after the post-mortem examination and investigation reports are completed. "Continuous inspections are being conducted in the Ganga riverbank region to ascertain the exact circumstances behind the dolphin's death. If any negligence, illegal hunting, or poaching is found, strict action will be taken against those responsible," the DFO said....