Nov 10, 2025
| Patuakhali Correspondent | Bangladesh Pratidin
[Kalapara, Patuakhali, 10 November 2025]: A significant public hearing was held, 10 November 2025 at 10:30 AM, at the Andharmanik River in Kalapara, Patuakhali, demanding the protection of the national fish, Hilsa, and the conservation of the coastal environment. The hearing was jointly organized by the Forum on Ecology & Development (FED)–Patuakhali, Prantojon Trust, CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network) and BWGED (Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development), and was attended by local fisher families and representatives of civil society.
Speakers highlighted that unplanned mega-developments, including coal-fired power plants and port-centric projects in the Kalapara area, have brought the Hilsa sanctuary of the Andharmanik River to the brink of depletion. Additionally, increased ship traffic around the port has nearly blocked the main entry routes for Hilsa from the Bay of Bengal. Infrastructure projects, such as three bridges within just 8 kilometers of the Andharmanik River.
Touhedul Islam Shahajada, Executive Director of Prantojon Trust, presented key data highlighting a decline in national Hilsa production. While production remained stable until FY 2020–21, it decreased by 42,000 metric tons between FY 2022–23 and 2023–24, sending a warning for the fisheries economy. Barisal Division, which produces around 65% of the country’s Hilsa, also saw a significant drop of approximately 23,509 metric tons in 2023–24. Once abundant, the Hilsa population in the Andharmanik River now faces severe depletion.
Members of local fishing families participating in the hearing included Abdul Mannan Pahlan, Abdur Rob, Aklima Begum, Chandra Bhanu, and Zahirul Islam. Abdur Rob, a veteran fisher with nearly 55 years of experience, stated that in villages such as Madhupara, Char Nishanbaria, Debpur, and Chonkhola, over a thousand fisher families once depended on the Ramanabad channel for their livelihoods.
The hearing panel included Dr. Mohammad Ashraful Haque, Chief Scientific Officer, Fishery Research Institute, Khepupara; Mr. Aseem Abrar, Lecturer, Department of Coastal Studies and Disaster Management, University of Barisal; and Advocate Subhas Chandra Das.
The hearing concluded with urgent demands to the government and relevant authorities to implement strict international environmental standards for the disposal of wastewater and hot water from power plants. It also called for the early retirement of the power plant projects & protection of Hilsa breeding grounds through expert-guided, environmentally sensitive infrastructure planning. Organizers expressed hope that the hearing would compel authorities to take immediate, effective, and stringent measures to safeguard Kalapara’s environment and natural resources.
News Link [Translated: Bn to En]: https://www.bd-pratidin.com/country/2025/11/10/1178099