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Fish Drying Begins in Sundarbans
Rtv News
04 Nov 2024, 16:15
Photo: Collected
Over 10,000 fishermen started drying fish in the Sundarbans today as they do every year in the dry season in this area.
The fishermen dry huge quantities of fishes here after catching those from the Bay of Bengal and adjacent rivers of Sundarbans.
Around 85 species of fishes including Rupchada, Laitya, Chhuri, Khalisa, and different kinds of shrimp are dried and processed in the Sundarbans.
The areas in the Sundarbans for dying fish are Dublarchar, Chapra Khalias, Alorkol, Meher Ali, Majhir Killa, Shewlar Char, Kokilmoni, Kaborkhali, Narkel Baria, Bara Amberia, Manik Khali and Chhoto Amberia.
"Before sunrise, we go out to netting the fishes, which are processed for drying in the sun," said Mohammad Ali, a fisherman of Dublar Char.
"Thousands of fishermen from different areas of the southern region, including Satkhira, Khulna, Pirojpur, Barguna, and Bagerhat make makeshift houses here for drying and processing fishes," said another fisherman Ruhul Amin.
He said, "We will net and dry sea fishes till March 31 here. We found more fish during the new moon and full moon. These dried fishes will be sent to fish traders in different areas including Kuakata, Cox's Bazar, and Chattogram."
Talking to BSS, the President of the fishermen group of Dublarchar Kamal Ahmed said fishermen couldn't get opportunities during the last few months for drying fishes here. They also became jobless as Govt imposed a ban on Hilsa fishing. But they (fishermen) got VGF rice during the period.
He informed that the Department of Forest has permitted to set up at least 985 houses, 57 depots,s and 93 shops this year.
Md Khalilur Rahman, the assistant conservator of the forest of Sharankhola Range under East Sundarbans, said, "There are 13 centers for fish collection, processing and marketing in Dublar Char fish village, about 120 kilometers from Mongla by boat. Fishermen and fish depot owners go there for drying fish for preservation and sale," he added.
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Flood Situation Improves in Sherpur, Death Toll Rises to 8
The river water in Sherpur has started decreasing gradually. As a result, the overall flood situation of the district has improved somewhat.
However, thousands of people are still stuck in the water. A total of 8 people have died in Nalitabari, Jhenaigati, and Nokla upazilas in the last 4 days.
Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Torofdar Mahmudur Rahman confirmed the matter on Monday (October 7).
Various areas can be seen on the surface, and the people of waterlogged areas are suffering. Relief aid has not yet reached many places. However, the district administration says that assistance has already reached the affected areas. Torofdar said that relief distribution will continue.
The Agriculture Department and the Fisheries Department say that 47,000 hectares of arable land in the district have been submerged under the flood water. Apart from this, 1,000 hectares of vegetables have been damaged. More than 6,000 fish cages have sunk. Aman farmers and fishermen have been affected by this. At least 1,75,000 farmers in the district have lost everything.
Earlier, Sanowar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Nalitabari police station confirmed the death of 6 people. He said, "Khalilur Rahman (65) of Nalitabari, Sherpur, Idris Ali (66) of Andharupara, two brothers Alam (17) and Hatem (30) of Kutubakura village in Nischintapur, Omeja Bewa of Baghbed Balurchar drowned in the sudden flood, he said. Apart from this, one was rescued from Sandhyakura in Jhenaigati. But his identity was not found."
Apart from this, two deaths were reported in Nakla Upazila. Confirming the matter, Nokla Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Habibur Rahman said that a person named Moktar Ali (50) died after being electrocuted by an electric wire in the flood water in Kurerkanda of Urfa Union of the upazila. On the other hand, Gazaria of Ganapaddi of the same upazila was drowned in flood water. Another person named Razzak died.
In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Torofdar said, "One died in Nokla on Saturday night. Additionally, five people died in Nalitabari and one in Jhenaigati upazila due to the flood. The water of almost all the rivers in the district is below the danger limit. The water has started to recede. This has slightly improved the overall flood situation of the district."
No Security Threat During 'Durga Puja', Still We Are Cautious: IGP
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mainul Islam said that there is no security concern in the upcoming 'Durga Puja'.
He said this to reporters after visiting Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital on Monday (October 7) afternoon.
The IGP said that there is no fear of any terrorist attack during the puja. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert. There is no room for any kind of chaos and inactivity.
He also said that Ansar has been deployed in important Puja Mondops. They will be deployed in all puja Mondops from Tuesday. Other police patrols and striking forces will be deployed. Armed forces are deployed in all districts.
Moinul Islam said, there is no opportunity for inactivity anywhere. Cyber monitoring has been strengthened. 999 is always on. A special control room will monitor the security of the puja from across the country.
He said that control rooms have been launched in each upazila, district, and police headquarters. Action will be taken immediately if anyone wants to create disturbance anywhere, in any Pujamondop.
RAJUK Lacks Transparency, Accountability Since Its Inception: Rizwana
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the adviser on environment, forest, and climate, said that urbanization is not acceptable by destroying the environment. Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has lacked transparency and accountability since its inception.
She stated this during a discussion on 'World Boshoti Day' at RAJUK Bhaban on Monday (October 7) morning.
Rizwana said, "When Mr. Ershad renamed RAJUK from DIT, only development took place in the capital. However, I have not seen accountability, transparency there."
She said, "Rajuk has a board, there is a need for involvement. I cannot reach my solution if I think I have included RAJUK with some bureaucrats."
Rizwana said, "We have to go through many ups and downs in new Bangladesh. We have to go through various challenges and obstacles."
She further said, "Healthy and beautiful cities should be built with the advice of young people and urban experts. Boshoti means not only a house but also a habitable place."
In the discussion, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan said that the reform of city organizations including RAJUK is necessary. There is no housing system for the poor in Dhaka. The main challenge of the government is to build it.
Flood Situation Worsens in Netrokona, Death Toll Rises to 9 in Sherpur
A child drowned in floodwaters while playing near a roadside in Nalitabari, Sherpur, raising the death toll from the floods in the district to 9. Although no new rainfall has occurred, floodwaters have started to recede in Mymensingh and Sherpur. However, in Netrokona, water levels continue to rise due to upstream mountain runoff.
On Tuesday (October 8), a visit to Jhenaigati, Nalitabari, and Sribordi upazilas revealed that while floodwaters have begun to recede, the suffering of the people remains unchanged. More than 150,000 people across five upazilas in Sherpur are still trapped by the floods. Water from upstream continues to flow downstream through various rivers, forcing thousands to seek shelter in relief centers, where they face severe shortages of food and clean water.
Flood-affected people at the shelters reported that fish from their ponds have been washed away, and thousands of hectares of Aman paddy have been submerged.
According to a report by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, water levels are rising in rivers like the Kangsha, Jingiram, Someshwari, and Old Brahmaputra in the Mymensingh division. The water level in the Bhogai River has stabilized, but in Sherpur’s Bhogai River and Nakuagaon, as well as the Jingiram River at the Gualkanda point in Jamalpur, water continues to flow above the danger level.
In Netrokona, the flood situation has worsened. Although water levels in the Someshwari River have receded, the Ubodhakhali River is flowing 29 centimeters above the danger level, and water levels in the Kangsha River have also increased, causing new areas to be flooded.
Over 150 villages across Durgapur, Kalmakanda, and three other upazilas in Netrokona are submerged, leaving hundreds of thousands of people waterlogged. Crops and fish farms have been swept away by the floodwaters.
Efforts Underway to Recognize Qawmi Madrasa Certificates: Religious Affairs Advisor
Maulana Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, Advisor to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated that efforts are being made to officially recognize Qawmi Madrasa certificates.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday (October 8) at a Seeratunnabi Mahfil in the Jamiahtus Sunnah Madrasa of Shibchar, Madaripur, he said, "We are working with the Ministry of Education to implement a system so that Qawmi Madrasa graduates can serve in various fields."
He mentioned that the previous government had equated Qawmi certificates with an MA (Master’s) degree. "Now, we are looking into how these graduates can be integrated into different sectors such as schools, colleges, madrasas, the army, air force, navy, and other fields."
Additionally, he discussed the possibility of sending Hajj pilgrims by ship, noting that discussions with a Saudi minister and local ship companies are ongoing. Plans are being made to send 3,000 pilgrims by ship this year to reduce costs.
Maulana Khalid Hossain also emphasized that the Saudi government is supportive of this initiative and that efforts are being made to make Hajj packages more affordable.
Sliced Pieces of Hilsa in Rajshahi Priced Tk200 Per Piece
The price of Hilsa has skyrocketed. Low-income people cannot afford to buy. However, the traders of Rajshahi are giving an opportunity to eat Hilsa. On their initiative, the sliced Hilsa is available in the market from morning. A piece of Hilsa (approximately 100 grams) is being sold at Tk200.
On Thursday morning, leaders from the Rajshahi Byabasayi Oikya Parishad and the Fishermen's Association inaugurated the sliced Hilsa sales at Machhapatti in Saheb Bazar.
The leaders of the Business Coordination Council said that this initiative is for the first time in Bangladesh which is starting from Rajshahi. Anyone can take a piece if they want.
But the sellers say that if the fish is sliced and sold, the price will be higher. And buyers complain that the price of sliced fish is unusually high.
A customer named Samiul Alam said that this was a joke with the customers. Instead of doing these, the price of fish should be reduced. Because, by cutting small fish, they are raising the price of big fish.
Another buyer Sourabh Hossain said, the way the price of Hilsa is increasing, it is difficult to buy and eat. We may be able to buy and eat with such an initiative.
Fish seller Abdur Rahim said, selling whole fish and sliced fish at one price will result in loss. So the price of sliced fish is high. Selling less than 250 grams will result in loss.
Sekender Ali, general secretary of the Rajshahi Byabasayi Oikya Parishad, emphasized that this initiative addresses long-standing consumer demands, allowing more people to enjoy Hilsa.
"Many haven't eaten Hilsa in 10-15 years. This program was started in response to their complaints, and we saw about 8-10 Hilsa sold within the first half hour," he said.
He added, "We will monitor the availability of sliced Hilsa to ensure it remains accessible. If anyone refuses to sell Hilsa in this manner, we will take action against them. We will also keep a close watch on pricing."
Floodwaters Recede in Netrokona, Hardships Persist
The water level from the floods in Netrokona has started to go down, but the crisis is not over. Many residents are spending their days worried about how they will recover in the post-flood period. Rice and paddy have been ruined by the water, forcing these people into a difficult situation when it comes to finding food.
Most of the rural roads in the district remain underwater, making it hard to find work or communicate easily. About 25,000 hectares of Aman crops are still submerged. Additionally, 232 educational institutions remain closed, and nearly 100,000 people are still trapped by the water.
According to Md. Sarwar Jahan, the executive engineer at the Netrokona Water Development Board, since Wednesday afternoon, the water levels in the Kongso, Someshwari, Dhanu, and Ubodakhali rivers have been dropping rapidly. However, at the Kalmakanda point in the Ubodakhali River, the water is still flowing 5 centimeters above the danger level. The danger level at that point is 6.55 meters, while the water levels in other rivers have fallen below the danger line. It is expected that these rivers will drain quickly through the Dhanu River into the Meghna River.
According to information from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Netrokona, out of 5,953 kilometers of roads under LGED's jurisdiction, 1,638 kilometers are paved. The rest are cement-concrete (CC), reinforced cement-concrete (RCC), Megatam, carpeted, or dirt roads. Even in places where water has receded from the submerged roads, most roads are still unusable due to erosion in various spots. Many small and large bridges, box culverts, and connecting roads have collapsed in the flood, causing severe communication problems for people in the area.
Md. Nuruzzaman, the Deputy Director of the District Agricultural Extension Department, reported that 135,900 hectares of Aman crops were planted across the district's 10 sub-districts. Of that, 24,667 hectares of crops were damaged by the sudden floods, and 177 hectares of vegetable fields were destroyed.
District Fisheries Officer Md. Shahjahan Kabir said that 1,480 ponds and farms were affected, resulting in the loss of 723.43 tons of fish and fingerlings, causing about 82.4 million taka in damages.
Netrokona District Commissioner Banani Biswas informed the media that, so far, four lakh taka, 3,000 packets of dry food, and 80 tons of rice have been distributed. She added that more relief is being provided as needed.
