Hilsa to be exported to India, not as gifts: Rizwana Hasan

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources, on Monday clarified that Bangladesh will export Hilsa to India rather than send it as gifts. 

She said, "The Hilsa will be exported, and the revenue from this will go to the government. It's not a small amount to overlook. The fish hasn't been exported yet; a decision has only been made."

She dismissed concerns about price hikes, saying, "Prices have already increased before the export, so claiming prices will rise further due to exports isn't accurate. This is under the government's consideration."

Rizwana Hasan made these remarks on Monday while visiting Musapur Regulator area in Noakhali's Companiganj upazila. She also emphasized the need for continued dialogue with neighboring countries and warned against ending discussions over minor matters.

On another note, she criticized the rampant sand extraction from rivers, calling it a "national looting" and urged the government to take control of river dredging instead of leaving it to private sand businesses.

Rizwana highlighted the importance of the Musapur Regulator to combat saltwater intrusion, noting that it could take two to three years to complete such a project.

Also present during the visit were Nazmul Ahsan, secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Khandaker Istiaq Ahmed, deputy commissioner of Noakhali, Munsi Amir Faisal, executive engineer of the Companiganj Water Development Board, and Anwar Hossain Patwary, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Companiganj.

During the visit, Nurul Alam Sikder, convener of the Companiganj upazila BNP, accused Abdul Quader Mirza, the brother of former bridge minister Obaidul Quader, of illegally lifting sand from the Muchhapur closure. In response, the adviser requested Nurul to submit a formal written complaint.