The recent decision by the Bangladeshi government to resume hilsa exports to India ahead of Durga Puja has reignited a conversation that transcends mere trade.

The government has announced the second spawning ground of hilsa and placed a ban on catching the fish during its peak spawning period in an effort to increase production, according to a notification by the fisheries and livestock ministry.

Hilsa experts have said that cyclone Sitrang has created a safe environment for the propagation of the fish even though it has caused heavy destruction in the coastal areas.