<i>Greedy fishermen poison Juri river for catches </i>
A large quantity of fish died in the Juri river as unscrupulous fishermen poured poison on its water in Juri upazila Friday and Saturday, local people said.
Locals saw many dead fish of Ruhi, Boal, Pabda, Kali-baush, Ayer, Gojar and Puthi floating in the river Friday morning. Many ducks also died following intake of poisonous fish, locals said.
Physicians have opined that the fishes are not suitable for human consumption.
Aquatic fauna are also threatened because of the phenomenon.
Fishermen at Purbo Shilua, Paschim Silua, Montrigaon, Jugimura, Sagarnal, Patila Sangon, Somai, Bhabanipur and Gobindapur villages collect poisonous fish by fishing nets.
Originating from Jampai hill in the Indian state of Tripura, the Juri, a small river entered into Bangladesh from where it is flowing through Fultala, Sagarnal, Goalbari, Jayfarnagar and Paschim Juri unions. Renamed as Kanthinala near Juri upazila headquarters, the river met at Hakaluki haor, one of the biggest water bodies in the country. The haor produces a large quantity of fish.
People living near the Juri have alleged that unscrupulous fishermen extract juice from 'Bish Lata,' a kind of poisonous creeper and pour it in the river. This results in death of a large number of fish. Fishermen catch the poisonous fishes by fishing nets. This is a regular practice in every dry season, people alleged further.
People alleged they witnessed the same practice in September last. They said aquatic resources in Hakaluki Haor are also at threat due to the bad practice.
When contacted with Juri Upazila Fisheries Officer Phanindra Chandra Sarker over phone, he confirmed the incident. He assured action against the dishonest fishermen after consultation with the upazila administration.
However, Juri Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nazrul Islam Sarker said that he had no knowledge about the incident.
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