Production of freshwater fish diminishing in Nilphamari areas

NILPHAMARI, Aug 30: The availability of different species of local freshwater fish is not as sufficient as expected in this rainy season. These varieties of fish were found in abundance at this time in the markets in the past. Sources said this is because indiscriminate use of chemical fertiliser in farmlands, reductions of ponds and some other related reasons.

Indigenous species of fish of freshwater particularly Koi, Magur, Shing, Puti, Bowal, Sorputi, Showl and Darika are facing extinction due to aforesaid reasons. Moreover, mother fish of such indigenous species are being caught indiscriminately by the local people. In the situation scarcity of fish has not only pushed up its price but also deprived the common people of required protein.

Presently fish like Magur, Koi, Showl and Puti are being sold at Tk 250, 225, 200 and 100 per kg respectively in the district. Sources added production of traditional river, pond, beel and haor fish has been decreasing while aquaculture fish output is increasing gradually.