Many native fish species have been disappearing from the country’s rivers, canals, beels, and other water bodies, leading to a steady decline in aquatic biodiversity. Gopalganj and the surrounding districts, known for their extensive wetland ecosystems, have not been spared from this trend.
Natural and human-induced factors have destroyed the breeding, migration, and sheltering grounds of fish. Uncontrolled fishing during breeding seasons has pushed numerous indigenous fish species to the brink of extinction. However, the Native Fish and Snail Conservation and Development Project has been working to restore, conserve, and expand populations of endangered native fish species while protecting biodiversity and improving the livelihoods of fishing communities.
Since its launch in 2021, the project has achieved notable success in 10 districts in the southern region, including Gopalganj. Project officials attribute this success to the establishment of fish sanctuaries and the active participation of local fishers. They say the initiative has not only helped conserve native fish species but has also created sustainable income opportunities for fishermen. Under the project, fishing families have received support in the form of vans, cattle, goats, and other livelihood assets.
The government launched the Tk 195-crore project in 2021 to conserve indigenous fish and snail species. The project office began operations at the Gopalganj District Fisheries Office in March of that year and is scheduled for completion this month.
So far, 200 fish sanctuaries have been established across 10 districts: 46 in Gopalganj, 19 in Faridpur, 11 in Madaripur, 18 in Shariatpur, 35 in Barishal, 12 in Jhalakathi, 20 in Pirojpur, 15 in Barguna, 11 in Bagerhat, and 13 in Narail. Each sanctuary covers one hectare, bringing the total protected area to 200 hectares.
During the breeding season, brood fish take refuge in these sanctuaries located in rivers, canals, beels, and other water bodies across districts in the Dhaka, Khulna, and Barishal divisions. They breed safely within the protected zones, and during the monsoon season their offspring spread throughout surrounding water bodies.
A sanctuary management committee comprising 20 fishers has been formed for each sanctuary. In addition, one guard is assigned to every sanctuary and receives a monthly allowance of Tk 7,500 from the project. As a result, several nearly extinct species—including chital, ai, boal, sarputi, bacha, chalanda, rayna, khalisha, pabda, tangra, and nandel—are now being found in these areas.
Mohammad Monirul Islam, Senior Assistant Director of the project, said fish often lose their habitats during the dry season due to declining water levels. To address this, the project has created safe shelters using 850 bamboo structures, 21 mounds, tree branches, and other materials in rivers, canals, and beels. Fishing has been prohibited within a one-kilometre radius of each sanctuary, allowing fish to breed and grow in a secure environment.
“Nearly extinct native fish species are being saved from extinction, and fish production in rivers, canals, and beels is increasing,” he said. “Marginal fishers are benefiting from improved catches, while indigenous fish are helping meet the demand for safe sources of animal protein.”
Project Director Md Khaliduzzaman said the establishment of 200 sanctuaries across 10 districts in three divisions has significantly contributed to the conservation of native fish species and the protection of biodiversity.
“By June last year, indigenous fish production in the water bodies of these districts had increased by 50,000 metric tonnes,” he said. “This has strengthened the supply of safe protein and benefited both fishermen and consumers.”
Anil Malo, 62, a fisherman from Gobra Jele Para in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, said many native fish species had almost disappeared from local waters.
“Thanks to the sanctuaries, we now see more native fish species than before,” he said. “If such projects continue, indigenous fish will be preserved, production will increase further, and fishermen like us will be able to earn a better living.”
