Once a cradle of biodiversity, the haors in the Kishoreganj district are witnessing a gradual disappearance of indigenous fish species, the rich source of protein, calcium and nutrition for people
A report headlined ‘Indigenous fresh water fish vanishing in Kishoreganj haor’ published in the September 10 issue of the Bangladesh Post gives a grim picture of how fresh water fishes are disappearing. In fact, the disappearance of local fish species has become almost a ubiquitous aspect in the country. Renowned for rich harvest of fresh water fish, the rivers, wetlands, haors and all other natural reservoirs are either dying or in death throes acrooss over the country. The rivers and waterbodies have long symbolised the Bengali ethos and proverb, ‘Maachhe Bhaate Bangali,’ a reflection of the nation’s cultural and nutritional heritage is about to be lost into oblivion as local fish is vanishing at a great speed.
Fish habitats in the haor region are rapidly deteriorating due to declining river navigability, drying wetlands, biodiversity loss, climate change, human-induced disasters, and illegal fishing. Besides, excessive chemical use in farm land, water scarcity, absence of sanctuaries, blocked habitat channels, and indiscriminate use of legal nets and pesticides. Previously, about 300 species of fresh water fish thrived in Kishoreganj haor region. Even today, fish of this haor meet the local demand and are exported abroad annually. But due to various manomate factors and climate change this vast fish reserve now faces serious threat. The valuable aquatic resources are vanishing mainly because of adverse climate impacts, human-induced disasters, declining river depth, and illegal fishing practices.
The National Fisheries Week 2025 was observed across the country with the aim of enhancing fisheries resources, ensuring sustainable development and raising public awareness about conservation. This year’s theme is ‘Building sanctuaries makes the country rich with local fish.’
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus while addressing as chief guest the inaugural session of the National Fisheries Week 2025 recently very truly said that there is an immense potential of the country’s fisheries sector and there remains concern too. He mentioned that people have been indiscriminately destroying the natural habitat of fish, and, that is why, they have to think of being friendly to nature aiming to conserve fish species. Wastes are being dumped into waterbodies aimlessly and people do not pay heed to the consequences of the waste disposal as those are, in return, coming back to them as poison.
Fish is a gift of nature and if people do not hit the nature, they will be able to enjoy the nature’s gift—the fish in plenty as it is highly delectable and agreeable to the palate. But many indigenous fish species are disappearing for lack of proper management of waterbodies.
Furthermore, both natural and human causes are obstructing the reproduction of indigenous fish. Due to river sedimentation, movement and breeding grounds are shrinking for fish. It is, therefore, urgently necessary that a joint initiative and a comprehensive strategic plan from the department of fisheries with other relevant department, should be taken immediately to protect the rare freshwater species of fish from vanishing. Projects congenial to fish reproduction must be taken sooner than later.
