Dhaka, 28 February (HS): The interim government of Bangladesh has banned the catching of Hilsa (Ilish) fish. Hilsa is the national fish of Bangladesh and has special importance in West Bengal, India.

The government has announced a two-month ban on its catching in the Padma-Meghna rivers in Chandpur. This ban will be effective from Saturday midnight till April 30. The restricted area includes a 70-km sanctuary area from Shatnal in Matlab North to Char Bhairavi in ​​Hamchar Upazila.

According to the Dhaka Tribune newspaper, this will affect about 44,000 registered fishermen of Chandpur district. These people will not be able to catch not only Hilsa but also other species of fish in the restricted area. The interim government hopes that this will help in the conservation of Ilish fry (Jatka) and boost production. District Fisheries Officer MD Golam Mehdi Hasan said that local task forces in Chandpur and Hamchar will monitor the restricted area. The government has allocated rice as food aid for fishermen. Each fisherman will get 40 kg of rice for four months.

According to the newspaper report, in areas like Anand Bazar, Lalpur, Soframali, Kanudi, Bishnupur, Tilabari of the district, many fishermen have anchored their boats on the banks of the river. Everyone has gathered their nets. Dr. Anisur Rahman, former scientist of Chandpur Fisheries Research Center and Irish researcher, said that due to pollution and excessive sand extraction, the fish population in Meghna-Padma rivers is decreasing. He has praised this step of the government.

Hilsa fish has its own importance in the culture of West Bengal. Auspicious works like marriage do not happen without it here. The importance of Hilsa fish increases even more in Durga Puja. Not only this, any auspicious work in Bengal cannot be imagined without Hilsa. Hilsa is called 'Machher Raja' i.e. the king of fishes. This fish lives in the fresh water of rivers and bays. Therefore, this fish has a special taste of both sea and river water.

Bangladesh produces about 70 percent of the world's Hilsa. Hisla is also the national fish of Bangladesh. Its most famous species is Padma Ilish (Tenulosa Ilisha). Hilsa is widely found in Bangladesh from the Bay of Bengal to the rivers. One kilogram of Hilsa sells for Rs 2000 or more.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar