Baor dev project to make fishermen solvent

The government has launched a project to boost fish production in Barni Baor in a bid to bring an opportunity for 500 fishermen to attain economic solvency through netting fish, reports BSS. "The project aims to provide economic solvency for the real fishermen, who are fully dependent on the baor to earn their livelihood by netting fish," an official of planning commission familiar with the project said. Barni Baor, situated in Tungipara Upazila of Gopalganj district, will also create more irrigation facilities to increase the agriculture productions in the adjacent areas, he also said. The official said that dredging would be conducted to enlarge its depth for ensuring sufficient water flow to create a sanctuary for fish. Bangladesh Haors and Wetland Development Board in cooperation with Water Development Board and Fisheries Department will implement the project by June, 2013 as the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has earlier sanctioned Tk 540 million. The main activities of the project are to conduct 3.5 million cubic metres dredging, to construct two fish landing stations, 50 unit cages for fish cultivation, 50 nurseries, bamboo piling in 15,000 metres and to create sanctuary at 30 hectares for fish movement. The Barni Baor on 121 hectares with 3-4 metre depth is a dead part of the Madhumati River. Around 500 fishermen are directly involved with the baor. But, many parts of the baor have been filled with silt. On the other hand, local influential people have constructed illegal structures or cultivated after grabbing some parts.