The Forest Department has imposed a ban on engaging children in all kinds of works related to dry fish processing at Dublarchar in Shoronkhola upazila.
A circular was issued in the third week of October banning employment of children in the dry fish processing units of the area. The circular also warned that tough legal actions will be taken against those found guilty of violating the ban. Meanwhile, the fishermen and owners of several dry fish processing
units now remain busy erecting structures for drying fish in the seven char (shoal emerged from riverbed) areas including Dublarchar in the upazila. Around 30,000 people remain engaged in the dry fish units of Dublarchar every season. Sources said in October fishermen build their makeshift structures along the bank of the Bay of Bengal for drying fish every year. Later they bring several species of netted fish from the Bay to the structures and process those as dry fish there. The dry fish processing includes various works hazardous for child health, like cutting and sorting out the fishes. The Forest Department in the circular also imposed a ban on catching jatka (Hilsa fry less than 10 inches in length) from the river cannels in Sundarbans.
It also imposed restriction on using wood from Sundarbans and carrying firearms without the department’s permission in Dublarchar.Last year, the government had an income of Tk1.19 crore as revenue from Dublarchar dry fish units. The government has set Tk1500 revenue per quintal of dry Rupchanda, Poa and Lakkha while Tk500 per quintal of other dry fish species. Sundarban East Zone DFO Mohammad Amir Hossain Chowdhury said the dry fish season has begun in the second week of October in Dublarchar. This year, 13 fishermen have obtained passes from the Forest Department.
At least 1404 fishermen sheds and 70 makeshift dry fish units have been built in Majherkella, Meherali, Alorkol, Manikkhali, Narikelbaria, Chaprakhali, and Shelarchar. Dry fish processing works will continue till February 28. -UNB, Bagerhat
