Kadamtali Fish Sanctuary on the Tangon River in Thakurgaon’s Pirganj upazila is facing a severe water shortage due to siltation, while dwindling food supplies are threatening thousands of native brood fish.
Fazlul Karim, president of the Kadamtali Fish Sanctuary, said thousands of large fish, including Boal, Air, Chital, Rui and Katla, lived in the sanctuary, with some weighing between 30 and 50 kilograms each.
As water levels recede, the fish frequently surface and struggle to move around naturally, he added.
Entajul Haque, vice-president of the sanctuary, said the shortage of water had been accompanied by a decline in natural food sources. As a result, many fish had become emaciated, making their heads appear disproportionately large.
Nasrat-e-Khoda Rana, president of Pirganj SUJAN, said native fish species could eventually disappear from the region’s rivers, canals and wetlands unless the sanctuary was properly preserved.
He also warned of possible adverse effects on the local environment.
Acknowledging the water and food shortages, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Ayesha Akter said the sanctuary served as a safe haven for native brood fish. Prolonged neglect of dredging had led to heavy siltation, causing water levels to fall alarmingly and reducing food availability, she said.
As an immediate measure, the authorities had provided some fish feed, Ayesha added.
Shahnewaz Siraji, divisional director of the Department of Fisheries in Rangpur, recently visited the sanctuary and assured those concerned that necessary measures would be taken to protect the fish breeding ground.
Jahidur Rahman Zahid, MP for the Thakurgaon-3 constituency, said he had instructed the upazila fisheries officer and the UNO to visit the site and identify the measures needed to preserve the sanctuary, including dredging, and protect native fish populations and biodiversity.
He added that a demi-official (DO) letter would be sent to the relevant ministry seeking the necessary assistance to preserve the sanctuary.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Golam Rabbani Sardar said he would inspect the sanctuary, a vital refuge for native brood fish in Pirganj, and ensure that necessary assistance, including dredging, was provided.
The Department of Fisheries established the sanctuary in 2001 at a bend in the Tangon River in Banuapara village under Daulatpur Union. It provides shelter to various native fish species, including Rui, Katla, Shol, Boal, Air, Chital, Koi, Tengra, Puthi and Magur.
During the breeding season, when water levels in the river are adequate, fish spawn in different parts of the river before returning to the sanctuary. With support from the Department of Fisheries and local fishermen, the sanctuary has become an important refuge for large native brood fish.
However, prolonged neglect of dredging has caused heavy siltation, reducing water levels and limiting the availability of natural food. The deteriorating conditions have put thousands of brood fish at risk.