Substandard pesticides cause environmental degradation

SHARIATPUR, Jan 15: Indiscriminate use of substandard pesticides on croplands has started taking its toll on crops, fishes and birds in the district, reports UNB.

Different species of fishes, which once found here in plenty, have disappeared from local markets and experts attributed it to unplanned use of pesticides.

Many guest birds that mainly came from polar region countries after being hit by shivering cold are dying after taking small fry from croplands.

A large number of fishes are dying in canals and water bodies as contaminated irrigation water rolled down into them with floodwaters.

Farmers said they buy Indian insecticides because those are cheaper than the local ones.

Another report from Magura says: Acute crisis of fish is prevailing across the district as different species of fish including 'magur' is on the verge of extinction.

Experts said water bodies like canal, beel, river, pond and baor have dried up leading to disappearance of fishes.

Sufficient water in water bodies of four thanas here is not available during the season when various species of fish lay their eggs.

Use of Indian substandard pesticide in the paddy field is also hampering the reproductive capacity of fishes resulting in reduction of its number.

Fishes which are on way of extinction, are magur, koi, ramna, chanda, kackki, chela, bancha, bayim, khalisha, pabda, puti, tengra, tuki and shoil.