BELA calls for ban on illegal fishing nets to protect JU wetlands’ biodiversity
The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has urged authorities to take immediate action against the use of banned 'China Dhuwari' fishing nets in and around the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus to protect the area's aquatic biodiversity and fragile ecosystem.
In a letter sent on Sunday, BELA called for strict enforcement of existing laws to stop the widespread use of these fine-mesh nets, which pose a serious threat to JU's wetlands and their diverse plant and animal life.
The appeal follows a national report titled "Trapped in a Death Trap of Biodiversity," which raised alarm among environmentalists. The report revealed that these banned nets are commonly used in nearby water bodies, including the Sinduria, Mirertek, Dairy Farm, and Bishmail lakes.
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Known for their ultra-fine mesh, China Dhuwari nets trap a wide range of aquatic species—snakes, frogs, fish fry, and insects, often causing a slow, painful death as animals struggle to escape, sometimes tearing against the net's sharp threads, BELA noted.
Environmentalists warn that continued use of these nets could disrupt the local food chain and severely damage the ecological balance of the region's wetlands, which are vital habitats for many aquatic and semi-aquatic species.
BELA urged authorities to ban the use and sale of these nets and to introduce regular monitoring to protect JU's wetlands and surrounding ecosystems.
