Fisheries adviser urges tobacco-free Halda to save ecology, livelihoods
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has called for an immediate end to tobacco cultivation along the banks of the Halda River, warning of its severe ecological consequences. She made the appeal while speaking as chief guest at a stakeholder consultation meeting held at the Mobarakkhil Hatchery premises in Raozan upazila, following her visit to the river earlier in the day.
"Tobacco is a crop that poses serious health risks to humans. There is no justification for cultivating such a harmful crop," she said. The adviser assured that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock would provide necessary support to help farmers transition to more sustainable alternatives.
Calling the Halda River a "national treasure", she noted that it is one of Asia's last remaining natural breeding grounds for carp species. "If its ecological balance is disrupted, the nation's fisheries resources will face a grave threat," she added.
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The adviser also pointed out that declining navigability of the river is hindering the natural breeding of carp. She reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to restoring the river's health through increased hatchery development and other initiatives aimed at enhancing fry production.
The event was presided over by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin and featured a welcome address by Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, Director of the "Development and Management of the Natural Fish Breeding Grounds of the Halda River" project.
Among the distinguished speakers were Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdur Rouf, Director of Chattogram Fisheries Department Md Anwar Hossain, Joint Secretary of the Ministry Md Hemayet Hossain, Joint Secretary Dr Abu Nayeem Mohammad Abduch Sabur, Chittagong University Professor and Halda researcher Dr Md Manzoorul Kibria, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rangamati Md Nasim Haider, Superintendent of Chattogram Naval Police AFM Nizam Uddin, District Fisheries Officer Shribas Chandra Chand, Raozan UNO Jisan Bin Majed, and Hathazari UNO A.B.M Mashiuzzaman.
The discussion drew participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including fisherfolk, egg collectors, journalists, local representatives, and community members. Among them were egg collectors Kamal Uddin Saudagar and Md Elias, and General Secretary of Raozan Press Club Nezam Uddin Rana.
Earlier in the day, Adviser Farida Akhter released hatchery-produced fingerlings of rui, katla, and mrigel into the Halda River and inaugurated a drone surveillance system as part of the ministry's efforts to strengthen river conservation through modern technology.
