Fishermen and hired hands in Dublar Char, close to the Sundarbans, are busy drying fish. Catches have been good, and hopes are high.

Over 10,000 fishermen have already reached Dublar Char as fish drying is on in full swing. Fish drying season started on October 29 and will continue till February 28.

The Forest Department expects to earn Tk 5 crore revenue from dried fish processing this fiscal.

Dried fish, or shutki, have a shelf life of several months and is considered a delicacy not only in Bangladesh but also in several countries where they are exported.

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For many fishermen families in Dublar Char, dried fish is one of the main sources of livelihood. Though 20% of the total fish caught is dried in the sun round the year in Bangladesh, substantial production happens from November to March.

Visiting Dublar Char recently, this UNB correspondent found fishermen involved in the dried fish processing erecting makeshift houses there after getting permission from the Forest Department.

According to the Forest Department, the fishermen were not allowed to use forest wood to build these makeshift houses this year and the authorities also imposed a ban on engaging child workers in dried fish processing.

Muhammad Belayet Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer of the Sundarban East Zone, said this year, the government has issued some restrictions in the area and the fishermen have been asked to follow some rules.

Legal actions, including cancellation of permission, will be taken against those violating the rules, he said.

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Last year, the government earned Tk 4.5 crore revenue as 65,000 quintal of dried fish were processed but this year they are expecting to earn Tk 5 crore, he added.

Some dried fish traders told the correspondent that every year hundreds of fishermen throng Dublar Char but if any fisherman falls sick there is no arrangement here to provide treatment.

They also demanded a temporary medical camp in Dublar Char during the dried fish processing season.

There are five chars under Dublar Char -- Alorkol, Majherkella, Meher Ali, Narikelbaria and Shelar Char -- which are under Sharankhola upazila of the district.

Sources said this year, passes were given for building 30 houses, 63 depot houses, 15 houses for the Mahajan (lease takers) and 96 temporary shops. Besides, some 10,000 fishermen got permission to enter the char.

Abu Taher, general secretary of Rampal Upazila Fisheries Association, said he along with 55 fishermen came to the char and they are busy netting, cutting and drying fish.

Silip Majumdar, officer-in-charge of Dublar Char police camp, said the forest officials are patrolling the Dublar Char area round the clock.