Tk 2.0b loss in fisheries sector, damage to agriculture yet to be assessed
Saturday, 11 August 2007
The monsoon floods that devastated the country's 38 districts for over a week cost the fisheries sector alone Tk 2.0227 billion (202.27 crore) in fish damage, reports UNB.
"Some 32,620 metric tonnes (mts) of fish, 583 mts of shrimp and 462.20 million (46.22 crore) fry were washed away as 186,307 ponds and large water bodies across the country were submerged by floodwaters," Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman told a press briefing in the city Friday.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser CS Karim also spoke at the press briefing on the current flood situation and the losses it caused in agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors.
Syed Ataur Rahman told the newsmen that the livestock sector also suffered a loss of Tk 150 million (15 crore) by the ravaging floods across the country.
Adviser Karim said individual initiative has to be taken by the country's citizens to successfully complete the rehabilitation works in the flood-affected areas. "Individual initiatives will have to be taken if we want effective rehabilitation in the flood-hit areas," he said.
Food and Disaster Management Secretary Sadruddin Ahmed, Agriculture Secretary Abdul Aziz and squadron leader Jahid on behalf of Food and Disaster Management Monitoring Cell of the Chief Adviser and the Armed Forces Division (AFD) presented their respective information at the press briefing.
Agriculture Secretary Abdul Aziz said the government gives emphasis on rapid rehabilitation of the poor and marginalised farmers in the flood-ravaged areas. "Farm loan to the tune of Tk 650 million (65 crore) will be distributed among the farmers."
He said as per information received until August 9 crops, including seedbeds of Aush, Aman and Rupa and vegetables on 7,63,167 hectares of land have been inundated by the floodwaters. "About 27 per cent of the lands that have standing corps went under floodwater," he said.
Aziz said, "We'll have clearer picture about the real picture of the losses and damage caused by the floods with the recession of the floodwaters.
Secretary Sadruddin Ahmed said the government distributed some Tk 4,51,00,000 in cash, 13,415 mts of rice, Tk 1,21,66,500 as house building grant, some Tk 48,50,000 in cash for purchasing dry food and Tk 39,50,000 in cash for conducting relief and rescue operation.
Squadron leader Jahid briefed the journalists about the overall flood situation and said water levels in all the rivers have started receding.
He said some 226 people died in flood-related incidents across the country while 92,14,260 people were affected by the floods.
"The overall flood situation appears to have improved and the total number of flood-affected districts is 33," he said contradicting the figure of 38 mentioned by Adviser CS Karim.
When asked about it, CS Karim said the figure given by the Armed Division could be more authentic.
"Some 32,620 metric tonnes (mts) of fish, 583 mts of shrimp and 462.20 million (46.22 crore) fry were washed away as 186,307 ponds and large water bodies across the country were submerged by floodwaters," Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman told a press briefing in the city Friday.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser CS Karim also spoke at the press briefing on the current flood situation and the losses it caused in agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors.
Syed Ataur Rahman told the newsmen that the livestock sector also suffered a loss of Tk 150 million (15 crore) by the ravaging floods across the country.
Adviser Karim said individual initiative has to be taken by the country's citizens to successfully complete the rehabilitation works in the flood-affected areas. "Individual initiatives will have to be taken if we want effective rehabilitation in the flood-hit areas," he said.
Food and Disaster Management Secretary Sadruddin Ahmed, Agriculture Secretary Abdul Aziz and squadron leader Jahid on behalf of Food and Disaster Management Monitoring Cell of the Chief Adviser and the Armed Forces Division (AFD) presented their respective information at the press briefing.
Agriculture Secretary Abdul Aziz said the government gives emphasis on rapid rehabilitation of the poor and marginalised farmers in the flood-ravaged areas. "Farm loan to the tune of Tk 650 million (65 crore) will be distributed among the farmers."
He said as per information received until August 9 crops, including seedbeds of Aush, Aman and Rupa and vegetables on 7,63,167 hectares of land have been inundated by the floodwaters. "About 27 per cent of the lands that have standing corps went under floodwater," he said.
Aziz said, "We'll have clearer picture about the real picture of the losses and damage caused by the floods with the recession of the floodwaters.
Secretary Sadruddin Ahmed said the government distributed some Tk 4,51,00,000 in cash, 13,415 mts of rice, Tk 1,21,66,500 as house building grant, some Tk 48,50,000 in cash for purchasing dry food and Tk 39,50,000 in cash for conducting relief and rescue operation.
Squadron leader Jahid briefed the journalists about the overall flood situation and said water levels in all the rivers have started receding.
He said some 226 people died in flood-related incidents across the country while 92,14,260 people were affected by the floods.
"The overall flood situation appears to have improved and the total number of flood-affected districts is 33," he said contradicting the figure of 38 mentioned by Adviser CS Karim.
When asked about it, CS Karim said the figure given by the Armed Division could be more authentic.