Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Jan 1, 2025 (BSS) - The Forest Department has imposed a two-month ban 
on crab catching in the Sundarbans from January 1(today) to February 28 to 
ensure the natural breeding of the species during its peak spawning season.

January and February are considered the prime breeding months for crabs in 
the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans. 

To protect this aquatic resource during its most sensitive period, the Forest 
Department has suspended the issuance of permits for crab catching for 59 
days, officials said.

Khulna Circle Conservator of Forests Imran Ahmed said the initiative aims to 
protect crabs during their breeding season.

"Every year during January and February, crabs lay eggs in the rivers and 
canals of the Sundarbans. During this time, they remain extremely vulnerable. 
The ban has been imposed to ensure uninterrupted breeding," he said.

He added that the Sundarbans is home to 14 species of crabs, including mud 
crabs. 

"If crabs are caught during the breeding season, it may disrupt the entire 
ecosystem. That is why, like previous years, the ban has been enforced 
again," he said, noting that fishermen staying deep inside the forest have 
already returned to localities as permits are not being issued.

However, residents of areas adjacent to the Sundarbans alleged that some 
syndicates continue crab catching during the breeding season by using various 
tactics. 

They claimed that with the support of a section of dishonest forest guards 
and officials, such groups manage to operate illegally, while ordinary 
fishermen suffer financial hardship. 

Environmentalists fear that this illegal practice threatens crab reproduction 
and the overall aquatic biodiversity of the Sundarbans.

Environmentalists also said the economic importance of the Sundarbans is 
immense, but not at the cost of ecological destruction. They alleged that 
corruption among some forest officials and guards has recently become 
rampant.

Member Secretary of Khulna Civil Society Advocate Babul Howlader said, "If 
crabs are not protected during the breeding season, their population will 
decline, causing long-term adverse impacts on the entire biodiversity of the 
Sundarbans. This will also affect the export potential of this economically 
valuable natural resource."

According to Forest Department data, the Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans 
covers 6,017 square kilometres, of which 1,874.1 square kilometres or 31.15 
percent-- is water area. The water bodies of the Sundarbans host 210 species 
of finfish, 24 species of shrimp and 14 species of crabs. 

As January and February are the breeding months for crabs, entry of fishermen 
into the Sundarbans for crab catching remains suspended for 59 days.

Residents of coastal areas said that due to geographical location, most 
people of Koyra -- the southernmost coastal upazila of Khulna district 
surrounded by the Sundarbans -- depend heavily on forest resources. 

Dakop is another Sundarbans-influenced upazila in the district. People living 
in forest-adjacent villages of these two upazilas earn their livelihoods 
through fishing, crab catching, golpata collection and honey harvesting.

Several forest-dependent fishermen said crab trading is highly profitable, 
which is why crab catching continues even during the breeding season. "Every 
year, some fishermen enter the forest with fishing permits and catch egg-
bearing crabs in search of higher profits," they alleged.

Crabs caught inside the Sundarbans are transported by boat to localities and 
sold at depots in markets including Gharilal, Golkhali, Angtihara, Katakata 
and Deuliya in Koyra upazila, and Nalian, Kalinagar, Kailashganj, Ramnagar, 
Bajua, Chalna and Paikgachha in Dakop upazila.

When contacted, West Sundarbans Divisional Forest Officer A Z M Hasanur 
Rahman said crabs lay eggs during January and February.

"Egg-bearing crabs remain hungry and are easily caught. If hunting is stopped 
during this period, higher crab production will be possible next year," he 
said, adding that patrols have been intensified and legal action will be 
taken against anyone violating the ban.

Hasanur Rahman said crabs are not only economically important but also play a 
vital role in maintaining the Sundarbans' food chain. 

"Local people, fishermen and traders have been urged to comply with the ban," 
he added.

Forest Department sources said permits are issued for around 12,000 boats to 
extract resources from the Sundarbans, one-third of which are allocated for 
crab catching. 

Although crab catching remains banned during the breeding season, fishing 
activities are allowed to continue.