A total of 130 species of fish could be found in Chalan Beel alone. However, there has been a significant decrease in the number of species of fish over the past 20 years and now only 40 species can be found in Chalan Beel.
Out of 260 species of freshwater fish, 130 species could be found in Chalan Beel. But many of them are now permanently gone, including Dhonda, Gurpui, Bachha, Byaitka, Gozar, Shilong, Tengra, Bheda, Shankar, Fanda, Tip Puti and Pani Rui.
According to the Departments of Fisheries related to Chalan Beel, there are 93 beels of 1757 hectares, 16 rivers of 4286 hectares and 22 freshwater canals of 120 square kilometres in Chalan Beel and 130 species of fish used to live there. However, the pollution of canals, beels and rivers reduced the number of fish to a significant level.
Especially during the breeding season, the continuous capture of female fish and fish fries have disrupted reproduction, leading to the near extinction of 90 species. Fish species like Meni, Puiya, Chitol, Foli, Chingri, Bheda, Bele, Pabda, Kanchki, Chanda, Mola-Dhela, Darquina, Bouma, Gharua, Bhangan, Kalibaus, Banshpata, Pangaas, and at least 40 other species are now rarely found.
Various articles on Chalan Beel mention several rivers, canals, and water bodies like Atrai, Nandkunga, Gumani, Ghur, Karatoa, Baral, Tulsi Chechiya, Badhai, Chiknai, Banganga, Nabirhajir Jola, Haksabir Khal, Nimaichorakhali, Beshanir Khal, Gumani Khal, Ulipur Khal, Sanguyakhali, Dobilakhali, Kishorkhali Khal, Behularkhari, Bakaikhara, Gohalkhara, Garabari Khal, Kumarbhangakhali, Janigachhar Jola, Sattar Sabeer's Khal, and Kinu Sorkar's Dhar. However, none of these canals or water bodies exist today. Once, these sources were abundant with local fish species.
Residents of Chalan Beel said that in the past, fishermen used to make a living by fishing in the open water bodies of the beel. However, over time, as fish dwindled, the fishing profession also started to disappeare. Now, during the flood season, people start using prohibited methods to catch fish, killing not only fish fry but also crabs and snails. However, the local administration hardly takes any action to protect the fish. If this continues, all the species of fish in Chalan Beel wil gradually disappear.
The decline in fish in Chalan Beel was evident during the recent Polo festival. Fishermen from Rangpur and Gaibandha, who came to enjoy fishing, found no significant fish. Despite trying hard from morning to afternoon, they returned with only three small Boal fish. They expressed their disappointment, saying that during the rainy season, the beel used to be filled to the brim and was abundant with local variety of fishes, which also had a unique taste. However, they were disheartened to find very little fish now.
According to information from the Chalan Beel Fisheries Project of the Bangladesh government, a survey revealed that in 1982, a total of 177,061 fishermen made a living by fishing in the rivers, canals, and water bodies of Chalan Beel. As fish numbers declined, the number of fishermen reduced, reaching 75,000 by 2006.
However, there is hope for the conservation of freshwater local variety of fish, as shared by Mohammad Shahinur Rahman, the District Fisheries Officer of Sirajganj. He said that there are over 147 fish enclosures in Chalan Beel. As the floodwater did not come on time, these fish enclosures are not getting any benefit.
Additionally, issues such as fishing during breeding season, encroachment and pollution of canals and beels, filling of water bodies, and excessive use of chemicals have led to the near extinction of many local variety of fish species. To protect these species, a special project will be launched in Sirajganj, Pabna, and Natore.
If this project is implemented, it may be possible to bring back the endangered fish species of Chalan Beel. However, coordinated efforts from the fisheries, livestock, and agriculture departments will be essential to protect these fish.
