Golam Rabbani, Gopalganj

In a bid to conserve native fish species and provide alternative employment to fishermen, 75 registered fishermen in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila have been provided with heifer calves.

The distribution was carried out under the project for the Conservation and Development of Native Species of Fish and Snails, implemented by the Department of Fisheries.

The heifer calf distribution ceremony took place on Monday noon at the premises of the Gopalganj District Fisheries Officer's office. Muhammad Kamruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate (Joint Secretary) of Gopalganj, was present as the chief guest.

Also present at the event were District Fisheries Officer Bijon Kumar Nandi, Project Director of the Native Species Fish and Snail Conservation and Development Project Md. Khaliduzzaman, Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer M. Rakibul Hasan, Sadar Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Debala Chakraborty, Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Prabhash Chandra Sen, Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md. Sebgatullah, along with journalists from various electronic and print media outlets in the district.

Following the ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner and other officials handed over the heifer calves to the 75 card-holding fishermen.

It is to be noted that Gopalganj Sadar Upazila has a total of 3,169 registered fishermen. Although a list of 150 beneficiaries was initially prepared, 75 fishermen were selected in the first phase. Each distributed heifer calf weighs approximately between 80 and 100 kilograms. Authorities have informed that if further allocations are received, the remaining 75 fishermen from the list will also receive heifer calves in the next phase