Rangpur fishermen facing scarcity of fishes

RANGPUR, Jan 11: Sufferings of the fishermen under the district have mounted as they are facing serious trouble in running their profession owing to dearth of fishes in different water bodies of the region.

According to sources owing to scarcity of the fish in rivers and other water bodies it has become so difficult for the fishermen to earn their livelihood. Most of them are passing days in severe hardship because of unemployment.

Sources said presently production of fish has declined in the district due to various reasons including lack of water in rivers, ponds and other water bodies, indiscriminate use of pesticides on agricultural lands, non-utilisation of ponds and use of current nets.

Abul Hossain, a fisherman of Dalarhatkhola village under Haragachh union in Kawnia upazila of the district said that many of them are passing their days without work as rivers have almost dried up. Earlier, the river was their source of income. Now they are struggling a lot to maintain their family as there is hardly any water in the rivers.

Failing to combat the adverse circumstances hundreds of fishermen have been forced to forsake their profession in recent times. Many of them have taken up alternative employment opportunities elsewhere moving to Dhaka and some other City areas. Many have become rickshaw and van pullers, it is alleged.

A number of fishermen said they are relinquishing their jobs as they do not find enough fishes in the Teesta and other rivers in the district. They also alleged that the drying up of river is causing destruction of breeding centres of fishes as well. As a result the number of fish has decreased drastically in the region.

They urged the government to take necessary steps in this regard so that they can continue their occupation smoothly.

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