Govt to update fishers' list, boost fish yield in 29 baors

The government has initiated a development project centered on water bodies (baors) to boost fish production, protect biodiversity, and improve the living standards of fishermen through community-based management.

According to sources at the Department of Fisheries, the project will be implemented across 29 baors located in 15 upazilas of four districts: Jashore, Jhenaidah, Chuadanga, and Kushtia.

The highest expenditure allocation has been set for developing fish habitats through baor excavation. Proposed spending in this sector stands at Tk 11.21 crore, representing 23.59 per cent of the total project budget. 5.5 lakh cubic meters of soil will be excavated during the process.

Additionally, Tk 1.73 crore has been allocated for re-excavating and repairing embankments of 35 ponds under the Baor Manager’s Office, while Tk 1.40 crore is designated for installing aerators, electricity connections, CCTV cameras, and lamp posts at these ponds. Another Tk 1.20 crore has been proposed for installing six deep tube-wells.

The second largest expenditure sector involves constructing six office buildings, with a proposed budget of Tk 7.31 crore, accounting for 15.37 per cent of the total cost. Furthermore, Tk 1.96 crore is allocated for repairing fish landing centers, association buildings, roads, and other structures, while Tk 1.71 crore is earmarked for installing iron mesh nets.

Sources further noted that to enhance fish stocks, Tk 2.21 crore has been proposed for releasing carp fingerlings and Tk 5.40 crore for indigenous fish species, bringing the total spending for fingerling release to Tk 7.61 crore. The target includes releasing 55.25 metric tonnes of carp fingerlings and 154.55 lakh indigenous fish fingerlings.

The plan also sets aside Tk 2.32 crore to establish 29 fish sanctuaries and Tk 2.90 crore to implement 290 beel nursery activities over a period of five years.

As part of capacity building and organizational development for fishers, Tk 1.16 crore has been budgeted to train 3,875 fishermen across 155 batches. A total of Tk 69 lakh is allocated for strengthening beneficiary groups, updating member lists, registration, and management.

Additionally, Tk 72.50 lakh is assigned for 29 baor-based progress review seminars, and Tk 25.50 lakh is allocated for workshops at various project levels and module preparation.

For project operations and field activities, Tk 1.08 crore has been set aside for hiring a jeep for five years, covering driver costs, fuel, lubricants, and tolls. The budget also proposes Tk 69 lakh for purchasing 23 boats and Tk 20 lakh for producing two documentaries to raise public awareness and highlight project activities.

Overall, the project involves a capital expenditure of Tk 30.86 crore and a revenue expenditure of Tk 16.69 crore. Once completed, fish production in the targeted baors is expected to rise by 10 per cent, directly benefiting 5,325 individuals in various capacities.

Speaking on the initiative, Acting Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Khaled Kanak said the project is currently in its initial stage and has undergone preliminary discussions at the ministry and the Planning Commission.

He noted that as the title "Community-Based Fisheries Resource Management Project in Selected Baor Areas" suggests, the project was taken to elevate the livelihoods of local fishermen and fish farmers. Upon implementation, fish production in the 29 baors across the four districts will increase by 10 per cent, carrying a commercial value of nearly Tk 1,000 crore.

Dr Khaled Kanak added that a primary objective of the initiative is to establish community-based fisheries management by updating the lists of associations formed in the 1990s, including genuine fishers, ensuring transparent accounting, and enabling fair distribution of benefits.

The estimated cost of the Department of Fisheries project stands at Tk 47.55 crore, proposed to be fully funded by the government. Following official approval, the execution timeline has been set from July 2026 to June 2031.

-SA