The government has introduced food assistance for the first time for registered fishermen dependent on the Sundarbans, who have been left without income due to the seasonal ban on fishing during the breeding season. State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam announced the initiative while distributing food assistance among fishermen in Mongla recently. The program aims to ensure food security for the fishermen's families during the ban period.
A total of 6,662 tonnes of rice have been allocated for 8,271 registered fishermen in areas adjacent to the Sundarbans in Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, and Mongla. The allocation for Rampal is relatively lower due to the smaller number of registered fishermen there. Beneficiary fishermen have welcomed the initiative, highlighting the severe hardship they faced during the ban.
Mongla Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer (Control and Implementation) Md Jahidul Islam explained that registered fishermen receive 84kg, 70kg, 56kg, and 30kg of rice in four installments each year under the program. He emphasized that the seasonal fishing ban helps increase fish resources in the Sundarbans, while food assistance encourages fishermen to comply with the restrictions more sincerely.
Joint patrols and drives are being conducted in coordination with the Forest Department, Fisheries Department, and local administration to prevent illegal fishing and crab harvesting. Officials believe that the combined implementation of the seasonal fishing ban and food assistance will contribute to increasing fisheries resources, conserving the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for those dependent on the forest.
