Illegal Bamboo Dams Removed from Padma River to Protect Jatka

The local administration and the Fisheries Department have demolished illegal bamboo dams erected by fish poachers in the Padma River to protect jatka (juvenile hilsa).

The operation was carried out from 10am to 5pm on Monday in Sadarpur, Faridpur, as part of the government’s jatka conservation drive.

The drive was led by Shaon Sharif, with participation from the Department of Fisheries and Bangladesh Police.

During the operation, three bamboo dams stretching nearly 500 metres were demolished. Authorities also seized illegal fishing gear, including 1,200 metres of gill nets, 500 metres of current nets, and about 1,500 metres of China doari nets.

According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, fishing equipment worth more than Tk 15 lakh and around 20 kilograms of jatka were seized. The confiscated nets were publicly destroyed at Chandrapara Ghat, while the seized fish were distributed among poor families.

Upazila Fisheries Officer Mehedi Hasan said regular drives are being conducted in rivers and fish markets to enforce the government ban on jatka fishing. He added that such operations will continue to ensure the protection of hilsa resources.