Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has emphasized the need to protect Kaptai Lake, calling it a national asset crucial to the livelihoods of thousands.
Modernizing the Kaptai Lake and developing new landing spots could not only boost fish production to meet domestic demand but also open avenues for fish export, she said at the inauguration of fish fry release and VGF rice distribution programs at the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) Fish Landing Centre in Rangamati this morning.
She said thousands of fisher families, traders, and others are dependent on the lake for their livelihoods.
"Alongside increasing fish production, we need to develop Kaptai Lake in a way that ensures socio-economic development for all stakeholders, including fishers and traders," she said.
BFDC Additional Secretary Suraiya Akhter presided over the event.
Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md. Tofazzal Hossain, Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board Chairman Major General (Retd) Anup Kumar Chakma, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Habib Ullah and Superintendent of Police Dr. S.M. Farhad Hossain, among others, addressed the programme.
On behalf of the fishing community, trader Mahfuz Uddin delivered a welcome speech.
Adviser Farida said she learnt about reports of extortion hampering the activities of local fishers and traders in Kaptai Lake and assured that the government would take effective measures to stop such practices.
She also expressed concern over the reduction in fish species-from 86 in the past to 66 at present-and urged fishers and traders to work sincerely to boost production.
Additionally, she called upon all stakeholders to actively prevent pollution in the lake.
Following the discussion, Farida Akhter and other dignitaries released carp fingerlings into the Kaptai Lake.
26,651 unemployed fisher families were provided food assistance at the programme.
