Fish sanctuary in Halda river under threat
Monday, 7 September 2009
CHITTAGONG, Sept 6 (BSS): Rehabilitation programme for the poor fishermen who fish in the Halda river has been stalled for the last two years in absence of a comprehensive policy guideline on the modus operandi of utilising the money sanctioned for it.
District Fisheries Officer Serajuddin, also Director of the project titled "Restoration of the natural fish breeding habitats of the river Halda", said this at a meeting of District Fisheries Resources Preservation and Development Committee held here at local circuit house conference room with committee head and Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Farid Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury in the chair.
Rehabilitation of the poor fishermen of the area aiming at refraining them from fishing from February to July, when migrating mother fishes spawn eggs in the river, is one of the main components of the Tk 138.4 million (13.84 crore) project.
Serajuddin told the meeting that rehabilitation of marginal fishermen is likely to start after approval of the draft policy they submitted earlier to the ministry concerned.
The core aim of the 5-year project that began in fiscal 2006-2007 is to turn some specific areas of the river into "fish sanctuary" and to preserve bio-diversity of the Halda river through preserving some indigenous fish species particularly the brood fish (mother fish).
The Fisheries Department also imposed a cap on utilising the money amounting to Tk 61.5 million sanctioned for river dredging and Tk 10 million for repairing some existing sluice gates evaluating possible grievous impact on the river instead of benefiting it. Officials said process is on to divert the money for river dredging and sluice gate repair to other heads related with the project.
Local upazila administration officials alleged that indiscriminate extraction of sands from river bed at many points, unabated catching of mother fishes ignoring ban and reckless plying of engine boats are the major threats to the fish sanctuary.
The meeting also recommended taking necessary steps for non-renewal of sand quarry lease agreement after expiry of their dates, imposing restriction on plying of mechanised boats during a particular period and legal action for defiance through conducting mobile courts frequently throughout the year.
District Fisheries Officer Serajuddin, also Director of the project titled "Restoration of the natural fish breeding habitats of the river Halda", said this at a meeting of District Fisheries Resources Preservation and Development Committee held here at local circuit house conference room with committee head and Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Farid Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury in the chair.
Rehabilitation of the poor fishermen of the area aiming at refraining them from fishing from February to July, when migrating mother fishes spawn eggs in the river, is one of the main components of the Tk 138.4 million (13.84 crore) project.
Serajuddin told the meeting that rehabilitation of marginal fishermen is likely to start after approval of the draft policy they submitted earlier to the ministry concerned.
The core aim of the 5-year project that began in fiscal 2006-2007 is to turn some specific areas of the river into "fish sanctuary" and to preserve bio-diversity of the Halda river through preserving some indigenous fish species particularly the brood fish (mother fish).
The Fisheries Department also imposed a cap on utilising the money amounting to Tk 61.5 million sanctioned for river dredging and Tk 10 million for repairing some existing sluice gates evaluating possible grievous impact on the river instead of benefiting it. Officials said process is on to divert the money for river dredging and sluice gate repair to other heads related with the project.
Local upazila administration officials alleged that indiscriminate extraction of sands from river bed at many points, unabated catching of mother fishes ignoring ban and reckless plying of engine boats are the major threats to the fish sanctuary.
The meeting also recommended taking necessary steps for non-renewal of sand quarry lease agreement after expiry of their dates, imposing restriction on plying of mechanised boats during a particular period and legal action for defiance through conducting mobile courts frequently throughout the year.