Coastal forests at risk as fish barriers block flow in canals

A section of local people are building closures and removing water with power pumps to catch fish in different canals of mangrove forest areas in coastal islands under the district, causing harm to the bio-diversity there.

The authorities concerned recently removed several closures but the callous people rebuilt those shortly afterwards.

There are over 50 canals in remote coastal islands Char Hadi, Char Shahjalal and Char Hyder on the Tentulia River in Dashmina upazila under the district and they play a vital role to keep over 20,000 acres of forestland in the area alive, said sources of Dashmina upazila forest office.

During recent visit to Char Hadi, this correspondent saw some people led by one Anwar Hossain Howlader removing water from a canal with three power pumps to catch fish there.

"One Monir Hossain Sarder engaged me in the job after he took lease of the canal," Anwar said.

Contacted over cell phone, Monir said, "I took lease of the canal from the local forest office for Tk 1.80 lakh to catch fish in the running season. Many other locals are also involved in the act."

He, however, admitted that he does not have any valid document of the lease.

Several groups, each comprising 10 to 12 people, make closures in different canals and then lease through verbal agreement each portion to local fishermen for over Tk 1 lakh, said local people seeking anonymity.

A section of local forest department men are also involved in the matter, they said.

Refuting the allegation, Md Mizanur Rahman, beat officer of Dashmina upazila forest office, said, "After hearing the matter, we with the help from the upazila administration conducted a mobile court drive in the forest areas and demolished at least 12 closures in different canals."

"Our operation will continue to save these canals from the gangs," said Ashraf Hossain, upazila range officer of the forest department.

Dr Md Masudur Rahman, chairman of agro-forestry department of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, said free flow of tidal water through the canals inside the mangrove forest is vital for keeping it alive.

Building of closures there will threaten the mangrove forest, he added.