The fishermen of Mohalchhari upazila in Khagrachhari are facing hardship as they cannot maintain their livelihood properly due to a ban on fishing in Kaptai lake.
The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation banned indefinitely all sorts of fishing in Kaptai lake on May 18 to allow for the smooth breeding of fish fries in the lake.
District officials of the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) and local administration have been instructed to strictly enforce this ban.
During a visit to Sylhetipara in Mohalchhari upazila, this correspondent found families of many fishermen unable to manage their daily bread and butter thrice a day. Sometimes they are compelled to starve.
Sunamuddin, a fisherman in the area, said as the government enforced the ban every year during the rainy season, they had to go through adversity as the fisheries development corporation has no rehabilitation programmes for them.
Another fisherman, Md Manju Mia, demanded immediate rehabilitation programmes for them.
Mohammad Ershad Bin Shahid, upazila fisheries officer, told the Dhaka Tribune that he was informed about the misfortune of the fishermen.
He said: “There are 1,368 registered fishermen in Mohalchhari upazila. As the BFDC does not have any scheme to help them, they were unable to provide anything for them.”
He said they had already informed the senior authorities about the matter. He also expressed hope that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock would take measures to improve the lives of the fishermen.
Every year, the BFDC enforces the ban on fish netting for three months from May-July for the breeding of fish and boosting their production.
During this period, mother fish lay eggs while fish fries are also released in the lake by the BFDC.
The authorities concerned have taken these measures as indigenous fish species are on the edge of gradual extinction in Kaptai lake due to the indiscriminate use of harmful pesticides and chemical fertilisers in the cropland on both banks of the lake.
