KHULNA, Nov 08 (UNB): A total of 10,000 fishermen from coastal areas are expected to gather at Dublar Char, popularly known as "Shutki Polli" or Dried Fish Village, as dried fish processing season kicked off.
Every year, several thousand fishermen and labourers flock to the area to catch fish and make shutki (dried fish).
According to the forest department, this year, the authorities concerned have given permission to erect 108 makeshift houses and 78 depots for accommodation of fishermen and preservation of dried fish.
The fishermen will catch fish using 1500 trawlers in the Sundarbans. They will process the fish and keep those under the sun for drying.
Dublar Char is already buzzing with workers and traders after the authorities issued permits to fishermen to catch fish.
Last year, the government earned Tk 60 million (6 crore) revenue from Dublar Char and this year, a Tk 70 million (7 crore) target has been set.
Different species of fish including Loitta, Faissa, Koral, Pomfret, Chhuri, Tuna and many more are being processed at Dublar Char. The demand of dried fish from the area is high as they are processed without using chemicals and formalin.
Rabiul Islam, a fisherman from Rampal upazila, said he came to Dublar Char on Friday and spent a busy day making makeshift houses with bamboo, polythene and hogla (long dry grass used for sheds).
Shahid Mallik, president of Matsyajibi Samity, said thousands of fishermen have already reached the area while many went to the sea to catch fish.
Dilip Majumdar, officer-in-charge of Alorkol camp, said the fishermen are busy erecting makeshift houses and it takes two to three days to complete.