Rani fish faces extinction in Hakaluki Haor

The Rani fish, once found in abundance in Hakaluki Haor, is now rarely seen, with fishermen and fisheries officials warning that the native species could become extinct without urgent conservation measures.

The fish, locally known as Bou fish, is one of the indigenous freshwater species of Hakaluki Haor, the largest wetland in Asia. Known for its delicious taste and attractive appearance, it is also considered a prized fish in the greater Sylhet region. It currently sells for around Tk 1,000 per kilogramme, and buyers often have to place advance orders to obtain it.

Hakaluki Haor is renowned as a breeding ground for freshwater fish and is home to a wide variety of native species. Among them, Rani and Pabda are particularly popular.

According to local fishermen, the Rani fish was once commonly caught in the haor and surrounding rivers, canals, marshes and other water bodies. However, its availability has declined sharply in recent years.

Kulaura Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Mohammad Abu Masud said the Rani fish had previously been considered an extinct species