Kotchandpur: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today announced that the rights of fishermen to baors (water bodies) will be restored. “The government is working to protect the rights of genuine fishermen. Efforts are underway to implement the ‘Jal Jar, Jola Tar’ policy. I will speak with all relevant government departments, including the Ministry of Land, to restore the fishermen’s rights to the water bodies,” the adviser told a view-exchange meeting with fishermen in the district.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Farida emphasized the necessity of collective cooperation to return the real ownership of the baor to the residents of Baorpar, aiming to alleviate their suffering. She called on political and social entities to unite in this initiative. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Awal and Zilla Khet Majur Samity President Fazlur Rahman were also present at the event.
Other speakers at the meeting highlighted that the natural breeding and production of native fish species in the baor had been disrupted due to the exclusion of real fishermen and the leasing of water bodies to influential people during the previous regime. They noted that the use of artificial food and chemical ingredients for commercial production had altered the natural state of these water bodies.
The speakers expressed optimism that these issues could be resolved through awareness and collective efforts.