Govt earns Tk 4.18cr revenue from chars of Sundarbans

Some 6,500 tonnes of dried fish have been produced at several chars by the Bay of Bengal and Sundarbans, earning the government over Tk 4.18 crore in revenue.

Every year from November to March, about 15,000 fishermen go out to make their catch and live in temporary huts made out of polythene, wood and straw on chars including Dubla, Alorkol and Meherali.

They dry different species of fish out in the sun without using any chemicals, for which products of these chars have gained a reputation both within the country and abroad.

The forest department said though the revenue generated was around Tk 1 crore higher than that last season, it would have exceeded Tk 5 crore had not two storms struck at the beginning and end of the season.

Most of the fishermen have left for their families while some are still in the process of packing up and leaving.