Obaydul Islam Robi, Rajshahi

The Ganga River of India is Padma River in Bangladeh. Basically the "mother" hilsa comes from brackish water to fresh water after hatching. Due to various artificial barriers, Hilsa fish is no longer seen in Rajshahi's Padma as before. The lack of water and navigability of the river is also a big factor. About 131 km of Padma River in Rajshahi is controlled as a fishery production area by the Department of Fisheries. Every now and then the fishermen of India are fleeing to their borders after hunting hilsa. Different circles think that international intervention is necessary to protect hilsa resources.

According to fisheries experts, only the "mother" hilsa comes to fresh water during hatching. A hilsa lays about 15 lakh eggs once. At that time fish killing should be avoided. Hilsa is a national resource. This fish is earning a lot of foreign exchange by exporting it abroad. The river must be protected to protect Hilsa. Waste from various factories, alternative boats and daily plastic products and polythene are wasting river water. Which is a big obstacle in the production of fish species including hilsa?

Godagari, Paba and District City Corporation, Charghat and Bagha Upazilas of the district are the riparian areas of the Padma. Padma River is the heart of India and Bangladesh. Every year, the "mother" hilsa gavi comes to fresh water after hatching from the salt water of the sea. However, the yield of hilsa is constantly decreasing due to lack of water in the river and navigability. Godagari upazila fisheries officer Waheduzzaman said that 25 km Mr. Jalmahal in this upazila is being controlled by the fisheries department. Mobile court is being operated with the help of police with constant monitoring. Indian fishermen are not seen to catch any fish in this area.

Paba Upazila Fisheries Officer Ashaduzzaman said Rajshahi City Corporation and Paba Upazila have about 50 km of water area. However, Hilsa is not found in this area. Currently, the "mother" hilsa does not come to lay eggs in this river. Some fish are in the river from the east. He believes that the number of hilsa is increasing in a small range from them. Charghat-Bagha upazila in-charge agriculture officer Wali Ullah Mollah told this correspondent of this newspaper that the two upazilas have 46 km river area. The depth of the river in Charghat-Baghay is higher than other areas of district. Due to which the quantity of fish is also high. But because of Indian fishermen, the country's hilsa resources are being destroyed. Illegal fishing cannot be stopped due to logistical problems of the Fisheries Department.

Additional Secretary (Administration) Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Amena Begum has visited activities of the District Fisheries Office for three days from October 23 to 25. She expressed satisfaction with the activities of the District Fisheries Department.

Later, she participated in "Mother Hilsa Conservation campaign in Padma River after an exchange meeting with the fishermen of Nagarpara fishing village of the district. At that time the illegal current net found in the river was seized and destroyed. In his speech, the chief guest highlighted the fact that the government is continuing its sincere efforts to take effective steps to improve the quality of life of fishermen along with fish conservation in the river by taking opinions from fishermen and other stakeholders in the discussion meeting.

Rajshahi Divisional Fisheries Officer Abdullah Waheed Mondal, District Fisheries Officer Jahangir Alam, Assistant Commissioner (Lands) Arif Hossain on behalf of Charghat Executive Officer as special guests at the fisheries event. Apart from this, fisheries officers of different upazilas, naval police officers in-charge were present.