The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

Fish cultivation in the beel of Jhara-Barsha under Ghuridaha union of Shaghata Upazila in the district beggar on July 27 amid much enthusiason among the locals.

Department of Fisheries (DOF) took the programme to meet the demand of protein and to change the socio-economic condition of fishermen living surrounding the beel, source said.

Major M Jahangir Hossain, Army Camp Incharge of Gaibancha, formally inaugurated the programme on Sunday noon by releasing the fish fry of different species in the beel as chief guest. District Fisheries Officer (DFO) ASM Rashedul Haque was present as special guest.

Presided over by M Ataur Rahman Ata, Chairman of the Union, the inaugural function was also addressed, among others, by upazila fisheries officer Abdul Mannan Akand, field assistant Nazrul Islam and fisherman Bimal Chandra.

The nets were also donated to the fishermen by the DOF in the function. A large number of people from all walks of life were present on the occasion. Earlier, the ponds lying in the beel were also re-excavated at the cost of Tk 12.50 lakh by the Department during the last fiscal year to keep the beel more fit for fish cultivation.

A total of 177 fishermen living in the area would take care of the water body properly and they would be able to eradicate their long standing problem Monga, poverty-like situation, gradually by selling fish from the beel, said ASM Rashedul Haque (DFO).