Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar today emphasized that fisheries and livestock sectors are deeply intertwined with religion, culture, and social norms. Speaking at a workshop held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) as the chief guest, she highlighted the cultural significance of fisheries resources, describing them as part of the nation's overall philosophy of life.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the workshop, titled 'Review of Research Proposals and Formulation of Planning for the Project on Development and Management of the Natural Fish Breeding Grounds of the Halda River,' was organized by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) of Chandpur. The event was chaired by BFRI Director General Dr. Anuradha Bhadra and featured Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Chairman Md. Imam Uddin Kabir and Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf as special guests.
Chief Scientific Officer of the Riverine Station, Chandpur Dr. Md. Amirul Islam chaired the technical session. The session included insights from BFRI Senior Specialist Dr. Md. Khalilur Rahman, Prof. Dr. Md. Mosharef Ali of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Assistant Prof. Mohammad Shamsil Arefin of Chittagong University, and Prof. Dr. S. K. Ishtiaq Ahmed of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
Farida Akhter stressed that the Halda River is a communal resource, urging for research reports to be prepared in an accessible language for the general public. While English may be used for presentations, she advocated for final reports to be published in Bangla.
She also underscored the importance of including women in socio-economic research, stating that their experiences are crucial to understanding the realities of the Halda riverbanks. She called for their inclusion to be a clear component of research methodologies.
Addressing the current risks facing the Halda River, she identified destructive human activities as the primary threat. She criticized the use of the term "anthropogenic" as a euphemism and called for straightforward identification of these human-induced threats.
She pointed out the need for immediate action to dismantle the Bhujpur rubber dam if found harmful and highlighted tobacco cultivation along riverbanks as a significant threat to fisheries resources. She expressed hope that policies banning tobacco cultivation on triple-cropped land would offer some protection.
The adviser advocated for effective management of sluice gates and controlling the invasive "sucker fish" species, which she described as behaving like looters.
Regarding project implementation, she emphasized the importance of completing goals within the designated timeline, suggesting time extensions only when absolutely necessary. She proposed a mid-term workshop in late 2026 or early 2027 to review project progress and make adjustments.
Farida Akhter expressed optimism that conservation and management efforts for the Halda River would be successfully carried out through coordinated efforts.