Mahabubur Rahman Tipu, Dohar (Dhaka) 

A 22-day government-mandated ban on catching hilsa in the Padma River across Dohar Upazila of Dhaka has come into effect on yesterday midnight

aimed at boosting national hilsa production during the peak breeding season. The restriction will remain in force until October 29.

As part of the conservation efforts, a 32-kilometer stretch of the Padma River flowing through Dohar has been designated as a hilsa sanctuary.

The Upazila Task Force and the local Fisheries Department have completed all necessary preparations to enforce the ban. Awareness campaigns led by the upazila administration are currently underway across riverine and coastal communities in the area.

According to local fisheries office sources, approximately 12,000 registered fishermen in Dohar depend on catching hilsa and other fish species for their livelihoods. To assist them during the suspension, each registered fisherman will receive 25 kilograms of grain food assistance, which is scheduled to be distributed within the next week.

Assistant Upazila Fisheries Officer Md. Rafiqul Islam stated that extensive public awareness drives—including public announcements via loudspeakers, discussion meetings, and postering—are being conducted continuously along the riverbanks.

Highlighting the biological importance of the move, Dohar Upazila Fisheries Officer Shirin Sultana Munni explained that mother hilsa migrate from the sea to fresh riverwaters during this period to spawn. Consequently, round-the-clock monitoring drives will be carried out on the Padma River by joint teams comprising the upazila administration, fisheries department, river police, and task force units.

During the 22-day period, the catching, transportation, marketing, exchange, and storage of hilsa are strictly prohibited.

Dohar UNO Md. Maidul Islam emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against violators. Joint operational patrols will be conducted daily on the river to enforce compliance.

Under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, anyone caught violating the ban faces up to two years of imprisonment, a maximum fine of Tk 5,000, or both.