Adverse impact of climate change has been posing a serious threat to the fish species, particularly the indigenous small ones, in vast Barind tact consisting the districts of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabgonj.
Breeding and grazing fields of the fish species have drastically been reduced due to abnormal shrinkage of the big rivers and their tributaries, water-bodies, floodplains and other wetlands, fisheries scientists and researchers said.
Dr Redwanur Rahman, Associate Professor of Institute of Environmental Sciences of Rajshahi University, defined that both the natural and man-made catastrophes have been negatively impacting the existing fisheries resources in the region.
He said the scanty rainfall and scorching heat cause habitat degradation affecting productivity of the water-bodies and the unusual situation is a significant detrimental to the native fish species and their population.
Most of the fisheries-related issues especially propagation, growth, culture timing, migration, abundances and fishermen livelihood are gradually being threatened due to climate change related hazards.
Besides, over-fishing along with injudicious and destructive fishing practice resulting in the depletion of fishery resources and is, no doubt, dangerous for successive elimination of fish stock.
All species of native fish are on the decline because of drastic fall in surface waters resources. The sharp fall in production of local fish resources is also widely blamed on the indiscriminate catching of the mother fish as they are being fell prey to the fishermen in confined water bodies.
Expressing his grave concern over the gradually declining condition of the surface water resources, he underscored the need for immediate and effective measures to protect the water bodies and other floodplains from further disappearing.
In addition to boosting the fish production, there should be effective measures of protecting the native fish species from the adverse impact of clime change. -BSS, Rajshahi
