By Bimal Roy and Mukter Hossain, Manikganj
A human chain was organized at the Manikganj Press Club recently demanding an immediate ban on the production, marketing, and use of “China Duari” fishing nets, which pose a serious threat to aquatic biodiversity. The event was jointly organized by The Green Coalition and BARCIK.
The human chain was chaired by Korom Ali Master, Joint Convener of the Manikganj District Green Coalition, and conducted by Bimal Roy, Regional Coordinator of BARCIK, Manikganj. Environment activist Nazrul Islam presented the concept note of the program. Participants included environmental activists, farmers, students, youth group members, climate volunteers, development workers, and people from different professions.
Under the slogan “Let’s act to protect fish and aquatic life from extinction”, participants called for strict enforcement to stop the production, trade, and use of the destructive China Duari nets that endanger freshwater fish and aquatic ecosystems.
They carried posters and placards with slogans such as “Protect biodiversity, ban China Duari nets,” “Save nature and life, stop China Duari nets,” and “Remove the deadly traps from our water bodies.” Speakers demanded immediate administrative action to remove these harmful nets from the small and large rivers, canals, wetlands, and natural water bodies of Manikganj.
The speakers said that the China Duari is not just fishing net rather it is deadly trap for aquatic biodiversity. This fine-meshed net indiscriminately catches all aquatic species including small and large fish, fish fry, frogs, crabs, snails, snakes, and other water creatures. Once trapped, escape is impossible, causing the extinction of native fish species, destruction of aquatic plants, and overall biodiversity loss which poses a serious threat to food security.
They added that the net destroys fish eggs and fry, severely disrupting fish breeding and reproduction. As a result, the fish population is declining rapidly.
Among those who spoke at the human chain were farmer leaders Md. Ibrahim Mia, Md. Hossain Ali Master, Dr. Rahiz Uddin, Gazi Naifur Rahman Shawon (General Secretary of Youth Green Club), youth organizer Promit Rajbongshi, and Shahidul Islam.
