UNO Sagufta Haque distributes heifer calves to fishermen in Kotalipara under livelihood support programme. Photo : BSS

GOPALGANJ, June 20, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 60 registered fishermen in Kotalipara upazila of the district received heifer calves today as part of an 
initiative to create alternative livelihood opportunities for fishing communities.

The calves were distributed under the "Conservation and Development of Indigenous Fish Species and Snails Project (1st Revised)" for the fiscal year 
2025-26 at a ceremony held on Saturday at the Kotalipara Adarsha Government College ground.

Kotalipara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sagufta Haque handed over the heifer calves to the beneficiaries.

Project Director Khairul Islam Pavel, Kotalipara Upazila BNP General Secretary Abul Bashar Howlader, Municipal BNP President Yusup Ali Daria and 
General Secretary Oliur Rahman Howlader, Upazila Engineer Safiul Azam and Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Shahjahan Siraj were present, among others.

Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Shahjahan Siraj said that 60 registered fishermen received one heifer calf each under the programme. 

The initiative would help fishers become financially self-reliant by enabling them to engage in livestock rearing alongside their traditional fishing activities, he added.