BM Desk:

The Ministry of Land initiated the transfer of 779 water bodies, known as Jal-Mahal, in Sirajganj and Pabna districts to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The move aims to boost fish abundance and increase overall fish production.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, following the Jal-Mahal Management Policy of 2009. The signing ceremony took place in the meeting room of the Ministry of Land at the Secretariat.

Under the agreement, the Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, will work towards enhancing fish productivity through scientific methods by renovating the designated ponds. Additionally, the Fisheries Department will provide training to fish cultivators through local cooperative societies.

With over 39 thousand water bodies managed by the Land Ministry and generating over Tk 100 crore annually through leases, the harvested fish and other aquatic animals play a crucial role in meeting the country’s protein needs.

Key attendees included Abbas Uddin, Additional Secretary of the Land Ministry; Abdul Qayyum, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; and officials from both ministries. The MoU was signed by Delwar Hossain Matubbar, Joint Secretary of the Land Ministry, and Anwar Hossain, Joint Secretary of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry.