Madhupur's canals are filling up, local fish are losing

Due to the adverse effects of climate change and encroachment, the canals of Tangail's Madhupur are losing their tradition. Starting from indigenous species of fish to aquatic plants and algae, various animals are disappearing. The environment is endangered. Beauty is also disappearing under its influence. The birds nesting on the branches of the canal-bil putka-pana hijal-tamal are not seen as before. Aquatic plants including snails, mussels, clams and sponges are also being lost. To protect from the adverse effects of climate change and encroachment, it is necessary to increase public awareness along with digging and dredging of lakes, rivers, reservoirs, creating sanctuaries to protect fish resources, raising fish and complying with fisheries laws.

According to Madhupur Upazila Fisheries Office sources, the total number of bills in the upazila is 36. The name of the only river is Bangsai. The total number of ponds is 4446. The number of canals is 5. The number of fishermen is 1617 people. The demand for fish in Madhupur is 5 thousand 950 million tons. The total production amount is 5 thousand 647 decimal 63 May. tons The number of fishermen is 3395 people.

Talking to the locals, it is known that the name of one of the biggest lakes in Madhupur is Sutanali Lake. It is located in Sholakudi village. A large amount of fish is cultivated in this lake every year. Due to the good quality of soil and water, the taste of fish is also high. One of the biggest and traditional bills of the upazila is called Howda Bill. It flows through the Khan in the middle of the Kuragacha-Arankhola union. This bill has the taste and tradition of fish throughout Tangail district. It is along north-south. Khirnadi has come together in this bill. Again this bill has given itself into the Bangsai river through the Gonja Canal. Once there was water in this bill throughout the year. There were plenty of native species of fish. Due to the presence of water in the bill's canal during the month of Chaitra, the mother fishes would get a chance to lay their eggs. It was decorated with various aquatic plants including putka-pana. There was a hijal-tamal tree. Birds used to sit in trees. In winter, guest birds come to this bill. To fill the two sides of the bill with kashful. Not only in this bill, there was such an atmosphere in Madhupur's bills. Now with the passage of time, these bil-rivers-nulls and canals are losing their tradition due to adverse effects including the use of pesticides in paddy cultivation. This is what the locals said.

Muktar Hossain, a local resident, said that he is unable to catch fish by buying nets. Due to the lack of water in the canal, the fish has decreased. He said that little fish is being caught and eaten. Abdul Bached said that earlier, when it rained during the monsoon, a lot of fish were found in the drains with nets. They also fished at night. There was no shortage of horn, magur, kai, darkina, punti, lick. Shamchul Haque said, if the fish of this bill was taken to market, it would have been sold at a high price. Different types of native fish including shing, magur, kai, tengra, punti, taki, boal were available. Bawa festival was celebrated in the month of Kartik when the water receded. Boats used to be bis during the rainy season, now there is no longer that old tradition.

Motaleb said that if any curry was cooked with these billed fish in winter, the fat would accumulate. Due to the quality of the soil, the fishes in Madhupur's bill are cottonless. Now the tradition of bills including fish and aquatic plants is disappearing.

Demands of local fishermen, protection of fish resources, aquatic environment, excavation of canals with plants, shelters, freeing of illegal encroachment of canals-rivers-bills. Fish and rice, the favorite food of Bengalis, can meet the nutritional needs and protect the balance of the environment. Locals will get a collection of native fish. If the illegal netting is stopped, the supply of mother and juvenile fish will increase. Nutrition needs will be met.

Madhupur Upazila Fisheries Officer Atiyar Rahman said that the climate is changing. Heavy rains, no rains, droughts and floods. At this time, the mother fish is not able to lay eggs due to low water. Mother fish caught in illegal nets. That is why the young fish is not growing. Due to lack of monsoon, there is no water in canals and rivers as before. He said that illegal nets cannot be stopped even with raids. Public awareness is needed for this. This official urged everyone to come forward to protect native fish.

Bangladesh /MP