The Department of Fisheries has proposed a Tk 47.55 crore project to develop fisheries resources in 29 baors across four southwestern districts of Bangladesh, increase fish production and improve the livelihoods of genuine fishermen.
The five-year project, titled “Community-Based Fisheries Resource Management in Selected Baor Areas”, aims to increase fish production by at least 10% in baors across Jashore, Jhenaidah, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts.
Planned activities include excavating selected sections of baors, establishing fish sanctuaries, improving infrastructure for fingerling production, providing training and strengthening community-based fisheries management.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the initiative was taken in 2025 when the then deputy commissioner of Jashore proposed a project to increase fish production in the region’s baors.
At a meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner in December last year, officials from the ministry and fisheries department, along with local representatives, discussed the initiative and decided to proceed with the project.
The proposal received approval at a meeting chaired by the then secretary in January this year. It was subsequently sent to the Finance Division for approval of the proposed staffing structure.
After the staffing structure was approved under the current government, the Development Project Proposal (DPP) was sent to the Planning Commission. The project is now awaiting an assessment of its proposed costs and activities.
Under the project, selected sections of baors that have become silted up will be excavated to increase their depth and water-holding capacity. An allocation of Tk 11.21 crore has been proposed for this work, which is expected to create suitable habitats for fish to survive and grow even during the dry season.
Another Tk 2.32 crore has been proposed to establish fish sanctuaries in all 29 baors to conserve native fish species and ensure natural breeding.
The plan also includes Tk 1.73 crore to renovate 35 existing fingerling-production ponds, Tk 1.40 crore for farm mechanisation and Tk 1.20 crore to install six deep tube wells to ensure water supplies.
To improve infrastructure for baor management, training, fingerling supply and extension services, Tk 7.31 crore has been proposed to reconstruct six dilapidated offices used by baor managers.
The project also proposes Tk 2.90 crore to establish 290 beel nurseries over five years. A separate allocation of Tk 7.61 crore has been set aside for releasing fingerlings of rohu and other indigenous fish species into designated water bodies.
The nurseries are expected to expand fingerling rearing and production, while stocking selected water bodies with young fish is intended to increase fish production. The equipment budget includes Tk 8 lakh for four desktop computers, two laptops, four printers and related accessories.
Beyond increasing fish production, the project aims to conserve the natural environment of the baors and establish sustainable fisheries management through greater participation by local communities.
Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md Delwar Hossain said the project’s main objective was to increase fish production while involving local fishermen in effective management.
Fishing will be restricted in designated sanctuary areas to allow fish to breed and reproduce naturally, he said. During the monsoon, fish are expected to spread into nearby rivers and beels, where fishermen will be able to catch them.
He added that the project was currently under evaluation and that further decisions would be taken after review at a meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC).
Acting Director General of the Department of Fisheries Md Khaled Kanak said the initiative was a community-based fisheries development project and that similar initiatives to improve the livelihoods of baor fishermen had long been lacking.
One of its key objectives is to update the lists of genuine fishermen, he said. Membership records of fishermen’s associations formed in the 1990s have not been updated for a long time.
Updating the lists is expected to help ensure that genuine fishermen are included, their rights are protected and the project’s benefits are distributed more fairly.
Officials involved in the initiative expect that, if implemented, the project will help conserve the natural resources of the baors while creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and higher incomes for local fishermen.