Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar today addressed the 15th meeting of the Fisheries Heritage Implementation Supervision Committee held at the Chattogram Circuit House. Photo: PID

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 28, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said that gazetted rules for the Halda River need to be updated for implementation of various developmental activities in the Halda River’s natural fish breeding ground in Chattogram. 

 “To protect the Halda River, tobacco cultivation along the river bank and river pollution will be halted through amendments to gazetted rules concerned,” she said while speaking as the chief guest at the 15th meeting of the Fisheries Heritage Implementation Supervision Committee held at the Conference Room of the Circuit House here this noon.

Emphasizing the importance of long-term measures and coordinated efforts to safeguard the river, the adviser highlighted the necessity of proper planning, effective implementation, and supervision to achieve the project’s goals.

She emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among relevant departments for the successful implementation of the Halda River Development Project. 

The adviser called for measures to eliminate tobacco cultivation along the Halda River and urged the Ministry of Agriculture to collaborate on providing alternative livelihood options for affected farmers. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of identifying policy-level obstacles to protecting the river through a comprehensive review.

The interim government is committed to conserving and developing the Halda River. During a meeting, the project director, Mohammad Nazim Uddin, outlined the objectives and progress of the 'Halda River Natural Fish Breeding Area Development and Management Project (Phase II)'. Dr. Md. Manjurul Kibria, the coordinator of the Halda River Research Laboratory, provided detailed insights on the challenges, opportunities, and solutions for the Halda River in the upcoming phase.

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin chaired the meeting. Chattogram City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain and Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral S. M. Moniruzzaman spoke at the event as special guest.

Additional Divisional Commissioner Nusrat Sultana, Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Saiful Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari A.B. M. Iftekharul Islam, Director of the Department of Environment of Chattogram Division Zamir Uddin, Director of the Department of Fisheries of Chattogram Division Md. Anwar Hossain, District Fisheries Officer Salma Begum were present, among others, at the meeting.