The government plans to bring fisherfolk under the Farmers’ Card scheme with access to loan facilities, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said on Tuesday while announcing support measures for communities dependent on Kaptai Lake.
The announcement came at a fish fry release programme and Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) rice distribution event at the Kaptai Lake Fisheries Development and Marketing Centre in Rangamati, where authorities also outlined plans to boost fish production and preserve the lake’s navigability.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock said in a press release that the initiative would extend benefits already introduced for farmers and the general public to fishing communities.
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has already initiated the distribution of Family Cards for the general public and Farmers’ Cards for farmers. Fisherfolk will also be included under this scheme,” said Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku.
He said the card would also provide loan facilities for beneficiaries.
Highlighting declining fish production in Kaptai Lake, the state minister urged all stakeholders to observe a three-month fishing moratorium to allow newly released fry to mature properly.
“The fish released today will be harvested by local fisherfolk once they grow. Adequate time must be ensured for their growth,” he said.
The minister described Kaptai Lake as both a national asset and a major tourist destination and warned against continued pollution in the waterbody.
“Continuous pollution may eventually render the lake unusable,” he said.
He added that authorities would take measures to prevent pollution and undertake dredging activities to maintain navigability in the lake.
Under the relief programme, the government will distribute 1,074 metric tonnes of rice in the first phase among 26,845 fisherfolk families dependent on Kaptai Lake in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts.
Each family will receive 20 kilograms of rice over two months.
The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) has also set a target to release more than 60 metric tonnes of fish fry into the lake during the current season.
The programme was chaired by BFDC Chairman Md Imam Uddin Kabir.
Special guests included Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Border Guard Bangladesh Rangamati Sector Commander Colonel Abu Mohammad Siddique Alam, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Director General Dr Anuradha Bhattacharya, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati Md Mobarak Hossain, Naval Police Chattogram Region Superintendent BM Nuruzzaman and Rangamati Additional Superintendent of Police Md Iqbal Hossain.
