Gopalganj: Bakna calves were distributed among 60 marginal fishermen in Tungipara upazila of the district under a government initiative aimed at conserving indigenous fish and snails while creating alternative employment opportunities. The calves were handed over at a function organized by the Upazila Fisheries Department at the Upazila Parishad premises.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, District Fisheries Officer Md. Kamrul Islam attended the event as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he stated that the government remains committed to improving the living standards of fishermen across the country. He emphasized that the main objective of distributing these calves is to reduce the dependence of fishermen on fishing and help them become economically self-reliant.
The programme was presided over by Tungipara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Zahirul Alam. Among the attendees were Deputy Project Director Md. Khairul Islam, Officer-in-Charge Md. Ayub Ali, Upazila Livestock Officer Prakash Biswas, Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Rakibul Islam, and Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Debashish.
Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Debashish Bachar provided insights into the project's background. He explained that fishing in rivers is prohibited during the breeding season to protect fish stocks. The alternative income opportunity through calf rearing is designed so fishermen do not engage in catching fish or snails during the banned period due to financial hardship. This initiative aims to provide a sustainable source of income through milk production and sales.
The beneficiary fishermen expressed their gratitude and excitement over the support. They noted that in addition to fishing, cattle rearing would help ensure a steady income for their families. They also hoped that the initiative would ease financial difficulties during the fishing ban period and contribute to the conservation of native fish species in the region.