“Pollution of ponds, reservoirs and lakes must be stopped,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a programme of releasing fries at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) lake, as part of a weeklong programme of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
The level of ammonia in the water of different water bodies of Dhaka city is much higher than normal. This situation has been created by illegally dumping the sewage line in the water body.
“It is not possible to cultivate fish if there is more ammonia. So, we have to be aware in this regard,” he said.
He released fries of 1,060 Rui, 300 Katla, 1,050 Mrigel and 150 Kalibous in the pond.
File Photo
Atiqul also directed the ward councillors and concerned officials not to illegally connect the sewerage lines to the water bodies.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman officially started the social movement in the field of fish production by releasing fries in Ganobhaban Lake in 1973. The Father of the Nation also mentioned fish as an export product of Bangladesh and expressed hope that fisheries would be the second major source of foreign exchange earnings, said Atiqul.
That prophecy has come true today, he said.
As a result of various initiatives of the government in the last 11 years, the country is now self-sufficient in fish production.
“At present we are taking more than 62 grams of fish against the daily demand of 60 grams per person,” said the DNCC mayor.