News Flash
DHAKA, May 9, 2026 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku today said a modern fish preservation centre would be established in the Chalan Beel area to restore its lost heritage and revive indigenous fish species.
"The government is working to bring back the traditional biodiversity of Chalan Beel through conservation and sustainable fish production initiatives," he said while addressing a fish farmers' conference as the chief guest at the Boro-Pathuria High School ground in Gurudaspur upazila of Natore this afternoon.
Highlighting various government plans for the development of the fisheries sector, the state minister said Bangladesh is rich in natural resources and the government aims to meet domestic demand and expand fish exports abroad using production from open water bodies, including Chalan Beel.
"We have already started formulating and implementing effective plans to achieve this goal," he added.
Tuku said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman transformed Bangladesh from the stigma of a "bottomless basket" into a developing nation, while former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia restored parliamentary democracy in the country.
He added that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is now working to improve people's living standards and the government is implementing its electoral pledges gradually.
Seeking cooperation from all to continue the pace of development, the state minister said collective support would be essential for achieving the government's goals.
Replying to a question from journalists, Tuku said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had been instructed to maintain strict vigilance along border areas to prevent illegal entry of cattle from India in order to protect local farmers.
"At present, the country has a surplus of more than 2.2 million sacrificial animals compared to demand. So, strict monitoring has been ordered to ensure local farmers do not incur losses," he said.
Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Advocate M. Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu inaugurated the conference.
He said a new revolution in fish farming would be brought about through the use of modern technologies in open water bodies such as Chalan Beel and Halti Beel in Natore.
Special initiatives would also be taken for breeding and conserving indigenous fish species and improving market management, he added.
Dulu further said effective measures would be undertaken to provide modern training to fish farmers to help meet the country's protein demand.
Director General of the Department of Fisheries Md Zia Haider Chowdhury presided over the conference.
Among others, Natore-4 lawmaker Abdul Aziz, Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Divisional Commissioner Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid and the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Natore attended the event as special guests.
