A three-month ban on fishing and tourism in  the Sundarbans will start from June 1 to ensure safe breeding and movement of fish and wild animals. Movement of all types of vessels including boats, fishing trawlers in the rivers and canals as well as the entry of fishermen and honey collectors will remain suspended from June 1 to August 31. No local for foreign tourists will be allowed to enter the forest during the period. According to the Forest Department, 251 species of fish release eggs during this monsoon and so fishing will not allowed  in the forest. Read more: Environment Minister for measures to stop deer hunting in Sundarbans Besides, the ban will be applicable for safe breeding of 315 species of birds, 35 species of reptiles and 42 types of mammals. The authorities think the breeding by the fish and different species of animals will be obstructed due to sound of operating water vehicles in the water bodies. No tourists will be allowed to visit the country’s lone wildlife breeding center ‘Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center’ and 11 other tourist spots. Hawlader Azad Kabir, in-charge of the breeding center, said ignoring the matter of revenue earning the government took the ban initiative to increase beautification of the forest and ensure safe breeding of fish and animals. Read more: Tourists can’t carry single-use plastics in Sundarbans: Environment Minister He said tough action will be taken if the restriction is ignored.

Fishing in Kaptai Lake resumed on Tuesday at the end of a three-month ban imposed by the local administration to boost fish production.

For the second year in a row, the 65-day ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal imposed by the government has lifted to usher in a boom for commercial fishing, besides making it more sustainable in the long term.

The government is going to impose a 65-day ban from May 20 to July 23 on fishing in the Bay of Bengal in the interest of the national economy, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim.   The minister said this while speaking at an online meeting, held at the Secretariat, on enforcing the ban.   “Catching all types of saltwater fish has been prohibited during the period (May 20-July 23). All commercial trawlers have been asked to abide by the ban,” he said.   Fisheries and livestock secretary Rawnak Mahmud, additional secretary Shyamol Chandra Karmakar, joint secretary Mohamamd Toufiqul Arif, representatives of Bangladesh Navy, Armed Forces, Bangladesh Police and Bangladesh Coast Guard, DIG of River Police, DG of Fisheries Department Kazi Shams Afroz, divisional commissioners of Barishal, Chattogram and Khulna were, among others, present at the meeting.   “During this [ban] period, the fishermen who will refrain from fishing will get 40 kgs of rice per month,” he said.   “We want to ensure the production of more and more fish, and to make that happen, we need to implement the government’s order strictly,” the minister said.   Warning that no negligence will be allowed in this regard, he urged the official concerned to refrain from any misdeed. “If there’s any negligence in discharging duty, it’ll be dealt with strictly. No one will be spared,” he said.