The Mighty Halda

The tidal river Halda of Chittagong is one of the most unique natural carp breeding grounds in the whole world. Carp fish (Catla, Ruhi, Calbaus and Mrigayel) arrive here from different channels to release eggs. Interestingly, Halda is the only tidal river in the world where one can observe such a natural phenomena of breeding.  

The 81-km-long river Halda originates from Badnatali Hill Ranges in Ramghar Upazila of Khagrachhari. And then it flows through Fatikchhari, Hathazari, Rauzan and Chittagong. At Kalurghat, it meets with the Karnaphuli River which empties into the Bay of Bengal.

Since time immemorial, Halda has been the only source of livelihood for the people living on its shore. These residents created a unique indigenous method to collect the eggs of carps. During May and June every year, local fishermen collect eggs and make artificial mud scoops on the river banks to hatch the eggs.  Between May and June, fishermen have to stay prepared to collect the eggs before they are washed away by the tide. Different research papers and researchers have said that during the British period Halda was the source of 70 percent of fish as a food source in undivided Bengal. 

However, at present, the river faces a number of threats. Negligence of the concerned authority, unplanned sluice gates and rubber dams, environment pollution, manmade perils like the cutting of the oxbow bend have contributed to the reduction of the number of egg collection this year. Experts fear it will further reduce next year, dealing a heavy blow to the entire fisheries industry of the country.

Professor Manjurul Kibria, President of Halda River Bachao Andolon, a citizens' platform to protect the river, stressed that fish egg production has fallen significantly, following the increase of industrial waste, unauthorised fishing and use of electric fish nets, and finally, salinity. He also warns, “If this situation persists, no freshwater fish will survive in the river.”

He also talked about the miseries of the fishermen. He said that instead of teaching them scientific fishing techniques, the government has banned fishing in the Halda because of the increasing rate of deaths of mother fish. He further says, “Even in the morning, a section of people use electric nets for fishing in the river.”  

Professor Manjurul Kibria asserts that the Halda River Bachao Andolo suggested that the Department of Environment to declare Halda River a Water Critical Area (WCA) zone. “It will help us preserve the water and the ecology of the river. And I think this is the best possible way to save Halda,” he says.