Dinajpur: Along the banks of the Chhoto Jamuna River in Dinajpur’s Fulbari upazila, a quiet but industrious rhythm unfolds each day. Men and women from ethnic minority communities wade into the water, diving or searching with outstretched arms not for fish, but for freshwater mollusks. These humble snails and mussels have become a lifeline, sustaining families and fueling a cottage industry that blends tradition, survival, and sustainability.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, families from the ethnic minority communities of Surjopara village in Aladipur union rely on collecting snails and mussels from the Chhoto Jamuna River for their livelihood. A visit to the riverbank on Friday revealed groups of men and women immersed in the water, some diving, others searching with their hands, gathering mussels and storing them in pouches tied around their waists.
This scene is common along both banks of the river as it flows through Khairbari union. Locals said that mussel collection from the river yields a good income. Every day, groups from the ethnic Santal community venture into the river to collect snails and mussels.
One such collector, Robin Kisku, a 40-year-old Santal man, explained, “After collecting mussels, I store them in a damp place near my house. They stay fresh for up to a week.” He added that cooking and eating the soft inner part while selling the shells to lime producers at Taka 10 per kg helps meet their food needs and provides a decent income. “I collect 70 to 80 kg of mussels daily, earning Taka 700 to Taka 800,” he said.
Women from the community are equally engaged. Merina Tudu, 32, from Khairbari union, mentioned that they all collect mussels together, which provides both food and a source of income from selling the shells to traders. Others like Romela Hasda, Aruna Hemrom, and Sakhi Murmu echoed her sentiments, noting that their daily earnings range from Taka 600 to Taka 700, although monsoon season poses challenges.
While visiting the areas, locals revealed that traders from Birampur and Dinajpur Sadar upazilas have long been purchasing snails and mussels to produce lime using traditional methods. Many families have funded their children’s education through this trade. Noren Chandra Roy, a lime trader from Kashipur Chuniyapara in Dinajpur Sadar, stated that they buy mussels at Taka 350 per maund and produce lime for sale. Lime made from snails and mussels is considered safe for consumption with betel leaf.
He added that lime made from stone, now common in markets, can harm health. Many betel leaf consumers ask vendors whether the lime is made from stone or mollusk shells, often avoiding stone-based lime. Local traders claimed that the BSTI Dinajpur division tested stone-based lime and found it unsuitable for consumption with betel leaf, while lime made from snails and mussels contained no harmful substances, and BSTI approved its marketing.
Mohan Chandra Roy, a lime producer from Chuniyapara, highlighted that 15 families in their village produce lime from snail and mussel shells, buying shells wholesale from ethnic collectors and burning them into ash through a special process. He emphasized that their lime contains no added chemicals and is approved by BSTI as safe.
Highlighting the ecological role of mollusks, Fulbari Upazila Fisheries Officer Rasheda Begum stated that snails and mussels help maintain environmental balance by consuming waste and purifying water. Wildlife protection laws prohibit harvesting mollusks from natural sources, but ethnic minority communities are allowed to collect them for food. Mollusks grow abundantly in the Chhoto Jamuna River, unlike in many other rivers.
Rasheda Begum affirmed that harvesting by the communities actually contributes to the growth of mollusk populations in the river due to natural regeneration, allowing indigenous collectors to continue their activities without restrictions.