Lakshmipur: The district taskforce committee has concluded its preparations for a 22-day special initiative aimed at safeguarding mother hilsa and Jatka in the Meghna River. The meeting, organized by the district administration and fisheries department, took place at the deputy commissioner’s conference room under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Rajib Kumar Sarker.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized that a complete ban on fishing activities will be enforced in the Meghna River for 22 days to protect the breeding processes of hilsa. He highlighted that strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines, will be imposed on violators, with the administration maintaining a zero-tolerance stance.
The planned enforcement involves a collaborative effort between the district and upazila administrations, river police, coastguard, and fisheries department. The fisheries department has announced a 22-day ban from midnight of October 4 to October 26, spanning a 100-kilometer stretch of the Meghna-from Alekjander in Ramgati to Sathnal in Chandpur. During this period, activities related to catching, transporting, marketing, procuring, and hoarding hilsa will be strictly prohibited.
The committee also decided that offenders will face both fines and incarceration. To mitigate the impact on local fishermen, the government plans to distribute rice through the vulnerable group feeding (VGF) program. The Lakshmipur district is home to 52,000 fishermen, with 43,000 of them registered.