BARAIGRAM, NATORE, Apr 18: Locals and fishermen formed a human chain in Baraigram Upazila on Saturday, demanding protection of a government fish sanctuary and protesting alleged fish looting.
The human chain was held at Padmabeel Park, adjacent to the sanctuary at Beel Chinadanga, where participants called for immediate action to safeguard the water body and its fish resources.
They expressed concern over increasing incidents of illegal fishing and encroachment in the area.
Among those who spoke were Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal Senior Joint Convener Shaon Ahmed Kawsar, Majhgaon union Swechchhasebak Dal Member Secretary Masud Rana, its Joint Convener Rezaul Karim, Central Joint General Secretary of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad Sajedul Bashar, fishermen Abdus Sobhan Sarkar and Harof Ali, and social workers Shamim Reza and Ziaur Rahman.
The speakers alleged that an influential group has recently been trying to catch brood fish from the sanctuary by draining water using shallow machines, posing a serious threat to fish breeding and biodiversity. They said such activities, if not stopped immediately, could lead to a sharp decline in fish production in the beel.
They stressed that protecting the sanctuary would help increase fish production in the traditional beel and ensure better catches for local fishermen during the monsoon season, thereby supporting their livelihoods.
The participants urged the authorities concerned to take swift measures to stop illegal fishing and ensure proper conservation of the sanctuary.
