Govt plans Tk 47.55cr project to boost fish production in 29 wetlands

 
The Department of Fisheries has proposed a five-year project titled ‘Community-Based Fisheries Resource Management in Selected Baor Areas’, with an estimated cost of Taka 47.55 crore. The project aims to increase fish production in the targeted waterbodies by at least 10 percent while improving the socioeconomic conditions of genuine fishermen.
 
The project will cover 29 baors in Jashore, Jhenaidah, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts. Its key activities include excavating silted-up waterbodies, establishing fish sanctuaries, improving fish fry production facilities, providing training and strengthening community-based fisheries management.
 
Under the proposal, Taka 11.22 crore has been allocated for excavating selected sections of the wetlands to increase their depth and water-holding capacity. The initiative is expected to create suitable habitats for fish to survive and grow even during the dry season.
 
Another Taka 2.32 crore has been proposed to establish fish sanctuaries in all 29 baors to protect native species and ensure natural breeding.
 
The project also includes Taka 1.73 crore for renovating 35 existing fish fry production ponds, Taka 1.4 crore for farm mechanisation and Taka 1.2 crore for installing six deep tubewells to ensure water supply.
 
In addition, Taka 7.3 crore has been earmarked for reconstructing six dilapidated baor management office buildings.
 
The plan also includes establishing 290 beel nurseries over five years involving Taka 2.9 crore and releasing carp and native fish fingerlings into designated waterbodies at an estimated cost of Taka 7.6 crore.
 
The initiative originated in 2025, when the then Jashore Deputy Commissioner took steps to develop a project to increase fish production in the region’s wetlands. Following a series of meetings involving ministry officials, the project received approval in principle in January 2026.
 
After approval of its manpower structure, the Development Project Proposal (DPP) was sent to the Planning Commission.
 
Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain said the project aims to establish an effective management system by involving local fishing communities.
 
He said selected waterbodies would be designated as fish sanctuaries, where fishing would be restricted to allow fish to breed and reproduce naturally.
 
During the monsoon, fish are expected to spread into nearby rivers and wetlands, allowing local fishermen to catch them in surrounding areas, he said.
 
Talking to BSS, Director General (in-charge) of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Khaled Kanak said the initiative would help restore degraded wetlands and improve the living standards of poor fishing communities.
 
He said many baors had become shallow due to siltation, adversely affecting fish habitats and production.
 
Another important objective, he added, is to prepare an updated list of genuine fishermen.
 
Membership records of fishing cooperatives formed in the 1990s have not been updated for a long time, creating challenges in ensuring that real fishers receive their fair share of benefits, he said.
 
The project is expected to improve access to fisheries resources, protect native fish populations and ensure a more equitable distribution of fishing opportunities.
 
Officials hope that the initiative will not only achieve the targeted 10 percent increase in fish production but also establish a sustainable, community-led management system that continues to benefit local fishermen beyond the project’s five-year implementation period, reports BSS.