Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter spoke today Mithamoin, Itna and Astogram upazilas in Kishoreganj. Photo : BSS

MITHAMAIN, Kishoreganj, Aug 31, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said fisheries resources in haors are now at stake due to excessive use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture here.

“Haors are very important for Bangladesh’s agriculture and fisheries as almost half of the country’s total paddy production comes from there . . . But haor fisheries resources are at stake due to excessive pesticides use in agriculture,” the adviser told a view-exchange-meeting with the fishermen and others concerned as the chief guest here today.

The Fisheries and Livestock Adviser held the meeting with registered fishermen of Itna, Mithamain and Ashtagram upazilas of Kishoreganj district at the Mithamain Upazila Parishad Hall-room here this morning. Senior officials of the district administration and the Department of Fisheries, Kishoreganj jointly organized the programme.

She said a national committee has been formed to limit the use of pesticides in agriculture to protect fisheries and livestock in the haor region.

“Work is underway on how to reduce pesticides in agriculture and increase production as well as at the same time protect fisheries and livestock,” the adviser added.

Noting that natural changes are taking place in the haor due to various reasons, including the construction of unplanned dams, she said instead of silt on the land, the sand is now accumulating, which is destroying the balance of nature at present.

Referring to the activities of illegal net-users, the adviser said some dishonest people are using illegal nets and electronic shocks to catch fish, which is gradually becoming worrying right now.

Farida Akter said visiting tourists are doing harm to the environment as most of them do not understand the sufferings of the locals here.

“The lack of sufficient bridges and culverts in the Itna-Mithamoin-Ashtagram highway is hindering the flow of water. If more bridges and culverts are built, the movement of fish will be easier and everyone will get benefit subsequently,” she mentioned.

About the leasing system here, the adviser said there are currently 45 lease-free water bodies and 312 leased water bodies in Kishoreganj Haor area. 

Meanwhile, the government wants only genuine fishermen to get leases and an inter-ministerial coordination is being worked on it, the adviser added.

Later, the adviser released 550-kg of fish fries of various species in Itna Haor adjacent to Gabtoli Bridge here. 

Kishoreganj Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC-General) Mizabe Rahmat, Director General of the Fisheries Department Dr Md Abdur Rouf, District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Mithamoin Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khan Md Abdullah Al-Mamun spoke there.

Besides, senior officials of various government and private organizations, as well as representatives of fishermen from the haor region also attended the meeting.