50 fish species disappeared from Sundarbans

Bagerhat Correspondent :

The words “Kangali (destitute) for fish, Bengali for rice” are now just proverbs. Once upon a time, there were plenty of indigenous fish species in the country’s rivers, canals, and lakes. But now those fish are not seen very often.

Many indigenous fish species have disappeared in the last few decades. In 9 upazilas of the southwestern coastal region, including Morelganj and Sharankhola in Bagerhat, known as the fish market on the coast of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, fifty species of indigenous fish have almost disappeared.

There are no more ponds full of fish. Due to climate change, natural disasters, ignorance, free saltwater farming of Bagda shrimp, excessive use of harmful pesticides and chemical fertilizers in crop fields, and lack of freshwater, fifty species of freshwater indigenous fish are about to disappear in the southern region, which is known as a fish mine. Delicious indigenous fish are no longer available.

There is an extreme shortage of domestic fish in the cities, ports, villages and ganjes (Nazars) of 21 districts of the southwestern region. What is available is worth its weight in gold. Due to the indifference of the government in the past, the lack of realistic far-reaching plans by the Department of Fisheries, and the lack of proper implementation of all the projects and activities that were undertaken, this sector has become ‘sick’.

After the uitim government came to power, the Department of Fisheries and some NGOs have taken up some projects in these areas. But that too is minimal. Those responsible are not coming forward to create public awareness.

According to fisheries scientists, there were 250 species of freshwater fish in this region even a few decades ago. But due to various man-made obstacles, many species of these fish are now not visible. Moreover, due to the widespread catching of eggs from rivers, canals and streams using current nets during the monsoon season, the existence of various species of domestic freshwater fish is disappearing.

The Bengali tradition of eating fish and rice is being lost in the course of time. According to the Department of Fisheries, even two decades ago, about 250 species of freshwater fish were found in the coastal areas of Bagerhat, Sharankhola, Morelganj, Mongla, Rampal, Khulna’s Rupsha, Terkhada, Dighalia, Batiyaghata, Dumuria, Paikgachha, Koyra and Phultala, and Khulna Satkhira Ashashani, Shyamnagar Kaliganj, Devhata. Among them, Shoal, Taki, Koi, Gajaal, Tengra, Chital, Shing, Khayra, Bata, Paishya, Kalibaush, Bailya, Kajli, Sarpunti, Pabda, Khailsha, Dogri, Jaba, Bhola, Bagar, Bashpata, Bhangan, Kain, Desi Puti, Goda Shrimp and fifty species of freshwater fish are now on the verge of extinction. All these fish were rich in taste and nutrition.