Charan Beel, a once-thriving wetland located in Kalihati Upazila of Tangail district, is now on the verge of collapse. Despite being recognised as one of the country’s significant natural fish sanctuaries, rampant and unchecked fishing continues day and night, threatening the beel’s ecological balance.
Government regulations prohibit fishing for six months each year to allow natural reproduction. However, these restrictions are widely ignored. The widespread use of illegal fishing nets, particularly China Dhwari nets, has surged alarmingly. It’s estimated that over 2,000 nets are laid daily in the beel, severely disrupting the fish breeding cycle.
Two fisheries co-operative societies operate in the area, with around 230 registered members. In addition, hundreds of nearby residents rely on fishing as their primary source of livelihood. Once home to 20–30 varieties of native fish—including bata, rita, baim, boal, rui, katla, gojar, chital, and mrigel—the beel now yields only a handful of these species.
Local fisherman Kabir remarked, “The beel once spanned nearly five miles. Now, during the rainy season, it barely floods 7–8 bighas. Due to the illegal nets, fish are caught before they can mature. If this continues, there’ll be no fish left at all.”
Environmental degradation is further worsened by pollution from nearby industries, particularly the textile factories in Balla village, which discharge chemical waste directly into the water. Tourist boats also contribute to pollution by dumping waste into the beel.
Kalihati Upazila Fisheries Officer Md Ayub Ali admitted that illegal nets are harming fish populations. “We are enforcing the law, maintaining the sanctuary, and releasing fish fry regularly,” he said.
Although past initiatives by CNRS and JICA showed early promise, they failed to deliver long-term results. Locals warn that without strong government intervention, the beel may disappear entirely.
Dr ASM Saifullah, professor at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, noted, “Human-made problems are the main cause of biodiversity loss. Without proper waste management, the situation will only worsen.”
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Khairul Islam stated that mobile courts are being regularly conducted to destroy illegal nets.
