DUMURIA, KHULNA, May 6: Rivers and canals across 14 unions in Dumuria Upazila of Khulna have become heavily clogged with water hyacinth, disrupting navigation and fishing activities and leaving fishermen and farmers in severe hardship.
The thick spread of water hyacinth has covered vast stretches of rivers and canals, bringing boat movement and fishing to a near standstill. Local fishermen say they are unable to cast nets or catch fish, pushing many families into financial crisis.
Residents say thousands of people in unions such as Khornia, Bil Singa, Tipna, Domrar Bil, Rangpur, Dumuria Sadar, Gutudia, Dhamalia and Raghunathpur depend on fishing in these water bodies for their livelihoods. However, due to the dense weed cover, fishing has become impossible in many areas.
Locals also allege that fish sanctuaries created at a cost of several lakh taka have become overgrown with water hyacinth, affecting fish production and survival.
Fishermen say repeated attempts to remove the weed have failed. "We cannot even place nets in the water. How can we earn our livelihood like this?" said Sujan Mondal, calling for government intervention to clear the canals.
Fisherman Sukumar Roy from Rangpur Village said he has been unable to fish for the past three months. "I took a loan of Tk 1 lakh to buy nets. I depend on fishing for my family. Now I have no way to use them," he said.
Another fisherman, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Tipna village, said hundreds of families are struggling. "For the last eight months, we have not been able to fish properly. Without free water flow, fish cannot grow, and production is also affected," he said.
The problem has also affected agriculture and transport. Farmers say transporting crops by boat has become extremely difficult due to blocked waterways, increasing their costs.
"We used to easily carry vegetables and paddy home by boat. Now it is impossible due to water hyacinth," said Mahibul Islam, a farmer from Chingra village. He added that transport costs have more than doubled this season.
Housewife Namita, who keeps ducks, said water hyacinth has also affected duck farming. "Ducks cannot swim freely or feed properly in natural water bodies, which has reduced egg production," she said.
Officials say the problem persists year-round. Senior Fisheries Officer Sohel Md Zillur Rahman Rigan said that although partial clearing was done earlier in the year, the water bodies become covered again within a short time.
Dumuria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sabita Sarkar said she was aware of the situation and promised coordinated efforts to find a solution in the public interest.
