Srimangal, February 9, 2025 – Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has emphasized the urgent need for regulating pesticide use in Bangladesh’s ecologically sensitive Haor region to safeguard fish populations and preserve biodiversity.
Speaking at an event titled “Exchange of Views with Beneficiaries of Baikka Beel Fisheries Sanctuary” on the banks of Baikka Beel in Srimangal, Akhter highlighted the adverse effects of pesticides used in rice cultivation, which are contaminating water bodies and causing harm to aquatic life.
“Some are advocating for the protection of Haor, yet at the same time, pesticides are being extensively used to boost rice production. When these chemicals mix with water, they inflict significant damage on fish stocks,” she stated.
Balancing Agriculture and Fisheries
The Haor region, a vital wetland ecosystem, supports diverse aquatic species and migratory birds while serving as a crucial source of livelihood for communities engaged in both rice and fish farming. However, the unregulated use of pesticides in paddy fields threatens to disrupt this balance.
“There is an ongoing conflict between the ministries responsible for rice and fish production in the Haor. The pesticides used in paddy fields are harmful to fish. To ensure sustainable fisheries, pesticide use must be regulated,” Akhter said.
She also called for increased transparency in lease agreements for fisheries and greater awareness among farmers regarding the impact of agricultural chemicals on water bodies. To reinforce conservation efforts, she announced plans for the excavation of Jaduri Beel, a significant water body in Baikka Beel, along with similar restoration initiatives across the country.
Call to Protect Wildlife
Akhter urged the local community to refrain from hunting migratory birds, describing the practice as “cruel, inhuman, and detrimental to the country’s biodiversity.”
Earlier in the day, she planted Hijal trees along the banks of Baikka Beel as part of an environmental conservation effort.
The event was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Mosa. Shahina Akhter and attended by senior officials, including Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Shahina Ferdousi, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, and Additional Director General Md. Zia Haider Chowdhury. Also present were Sylhet Divisional Fisheries Deputy Director Md. Ashrafuzzaman, Moulvibazar District Fisheries Officer Dr. Md. Arif Hossain, and Srimangal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Islam Uddin, among others.
Addressing stakeholders, Akhter assured that efforts would be made to resolve the pressing issues faced by Haor communities.
“We will work to resolve the issues in the Haor region,” she affirmed.
Ensuring Sustainability for the Future
Authorities are striving to strike a balance between agriculture and aquaculture to maintain the long-term sustainability of the Haor region. By curbing pesticide use and implementing conservation measures, they aim to protect biodiversity, ensure food security, and support the livelihoods of local communities.
