Forest Dept fences off key Sundarban canals to curb fish poaching

FAKIRHAT, BAGERHAT, July 18: The Forest Department has sealed off the entrances to 10 key feeder canals in the Eastern Sundarban with wooden barriers in a bid to prevent illegal entry and poaching during the ongoing fish breeding season.

Officials say the measure, introduced under the three-month fishing ban that began on July 1, has already reduced unauthorised access to fish sanctuaries and is helping create a safer environment for fish spawning and the conservation of aquatic biodiversity.

A recent visit to Dasher Bharani Canal in the Sharankhola Range found rows of sturdy wooden posts driven deep into the canal bed and fastened with iron nails across the canal mouth. The barriers have been designed to allow the natural flow of water and the movement of fish while preventing boats from entering.

According to the Forest Department, the feeder canals serve as the main waterways connecting the intricate network of canals inside the Sundarban. Restricting access through these routes makes it significantly more difficult for poachers to enter protected areas.

The barriers have been installed at Mora Bhadra Bharani, Jiar Bharani, Khalek's Bharani, Hular Bharani, Nausherkhali Bharani, Charakhali Bharani, No. 8 Canal Bharani and Suryamukhi canal in the Chandpai Range, and at Bhola Khal and Dasher Bharani canal in the Sharankhola Range.

Sharankhola Range Officer and Assistant Conservator of Forests Md Shariful Islam said fishing, crab collection, tourism and all forms of entry into the Sundarban remain prohibited during the annual breeding season.

"Some poachers used to enter the forest secretly by boat and catch fish using nets, poison and a locally known method called chargora, which caused severe damage to brood fish and juveniles," he said. "Most of them entered through these feeder canals. Blocking the canal mouths has made illegal entry much more difficult."

Local fishermen welcomed the move, saying it would help protect breeding grounds.

Rakib Hossain Jamal Mir, a fisherman from Sharankhola, said large brood fish gather in these canals to spawn during the breeding season.

"Earlier, poachers could easily enter the canals and catch fish. Now that the entrances have been blocked, it has become much harder for them. If fish breeding is protected, fish stocks will increase and fishermen will benefit in the long run," he said.

Eastern Sundarban Divisional Forest Officer Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said barriers had been installed at eight feeder canals in the Chandpai Range and two in the Sharankhola Range.

"These canals were the main entry routes used by illegal intruders. Since the barriers were erected, incidents of illegal entry have declined noticeably," he said.

He added that the initiative had contributed to better fish breeding and the protection of the Sundarban’s aquatic ecosystem.

The Forest Department is also conducting mobile court drives in areas adjacent to the forest to prevent the use of poison for fishing and curb the sale of illegally caught fish.