Sukanto Das

On hot summer days, sitting on the side of the house and enjoying raw mango mixed with spices in the southern breeze had its own charm. The surroundings used to be vast, open fields. Once or sometimes even twice a year, paddy was cultivated. During other times, various vegetables were grown. At the end of the summer, with the arrival of the first monsoon rain, the sound of thunder would awaken fish like koi and shing from old ponds—a natural phenomenon. With the fresh water came hundreds of species of fish: koi, shing, taki, shol, gajar, puti, bain, faisha, royna, phaloi, chitol, boal, kholisha, and tangra, to name a few.

During the rainy season, when the fields were submerged, night-time fishing was a daily activity. Children would float around on banana rafts or hollowed palm trunks, picking water lilies. But these are now only memories. Those days and those vast fields are no more. While change with time is natural, what happened in this region was artificially induced.

Lands were cut and turned into cage (enclosed ponds or ditches for aquaculture). A cage is an enclosed area made by digging ditches or pits in agricultural lands and building embankments around them to hold water. In pursuit of higher profits from shrimp farming, many have converted their once double or triple crop lands into cages. The profit is indeed significant, as shrimp is called “white gold.” However, many farmers have suffered losses. Shrimp farming requires saline water. Previously, embankments were built on canals to prevent saline water from entering agricultural lands, as it damages crops. But now, saline water is intentionally brought in for shrimp cultivation.

While lobster can be farmed in freshwater, bagda shrimp requires saline water, which has severely harmed the environment in southern Bangladesh. Agricultural lands have been sacrificed for shrimp farms, pushing rice cultivation toward extinction. Due to the influx of saline water, nearly 60,000 species of fish and various birds and animals have already disappeared from the southern coastal region. Initially, some farmers turned to shrimp farming, but after repeated losses, many lost interest. Now, most cages are operated by influential people, and that’s the core problem. Despite the damage to the farmers, no one dares to oppose the powerful. Many poor farmers are now compelled to switch to shrimp farming.

In Bagerhat, Khulna, and Satkhira, cracks develop in newly built structures within a few months, and paint peels off the walls. Locals blame the saline water for this. Many old trees have died since the intrusion of saline water. What used to be lush green surroundings are now barren. Coconut and betel nut production, once abundant, has significantly declined due to salinity.

Many are forced into shrimp farming because everyone around them is doing the same. As a result, saline water remains in the area and seeps into nearby rice fields, decreasing crop yields. Poor farmers are left with no choice but to abandon rice farming. The proximity to the Bay of Bengal already brings natural saline water, but the situation has worsened due to man-made cages, artificially increasing soil salinity.

According to research by the international organization Practical Action, between 1995 and 2015, agricultural land in districts like Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira declined at an alarming rate. To bring in saline water for shrimp farming, sluice gates are being tampered with and embankments weakened, causing floods and permanent waterlogging.

People who once made a living through farming are now unemployed. Though many have turned to other occupations, they are not as financially stable as before. Agricultural laborers have lost jobs, and children no longer have playgrounds. The natural flow of water has been obstructed by cages—it feels as if the land itself is now trapped.

Restoring the fertility of soil damaged by salinity is not easy. Research shows that shrimp farming in saline water has reduced cultivable land by about 80% in recent years. Nearly 40% of the remaining agricultural land is at serious risk. Due to repeated saline flooding, many farmers have been forced to abandon rice farming and are now cultivating shrimp or other marine fish. As salinity rises, tenant farmers’ incomes have dropped by 21% annually.

The most alarming fact is that research by ICDDR,B has shown the miscarriage rate among women in southern regions is 11% higher than in other areas due to saline water. This is deeply concerning. Freshwater is now scarce due to saline intrusion. People in southern Bangladesh generally rely on deep tube wells or specific ponds for drinking water, but even these have become contaminated with saline water. The water used for bathing and daily chores contains excessive salt. This poses serious health risks. According to the World Health Organization, a person should not consume more than 5 grams of salt per day, but people in saline-prone shrimp farming regions are consuming more than 200 times that amount daily, severely harming their health. This increases the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Global climate change is already raising temperatures and sea levels. A large portion of the southern region is at risk of submersion. On top of this natural threat, the man-made crisis from shrimp farming has brought the environment of the region to the brink of disaster.

From the beginning, there have been many protests against shrimp farming due to the damage it causes to ordinary farmers. But there has been no long-term action to address the issue.

Yes, shrimp farming is profitable and contributes significantly to the national economy—it is the second-largest export sector in Bangladesh, generating considerable foreign currency. Therefore, stopping shrimp farming altogether could hurt the economy. But rather than banning it, we need innovative solutions. If a shrimp species that thrives in freshwater can be developed, it would be the best solution.

The problem of saline water in southern Bangladesh is affecting the entire country. People who have lost jobs are migrating to cities in search of work, increasing urban population pressure. Meanwhile, widespread income reduction is also affecting the national economy. Considering all this, it's clear that this is not just a problem for southern Bangladesh—it is a national crisis that needs urgent and effective resolution. The wirter is a researcher.