The construction of barrages and dams on rivers in India has posed a threat to the hilsa, a migrating fish crucial to the country’s fisheries. To address this issue, the Clean Ganga Mission has initiated efforts to conserve and increase the hilsa population. Strategies include releasing juvenile hilsa and their eggs upstream of the Ganga river and providing incentives for tagging hilsas to gather information about their sightings.
Despite being the second-largest producer of hilsa globally, India only contributes 10% compared to Bangladesh’s 80%. The collaborative conservation efforts of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar are deemed essential by experts to ensure the hilsa’s preservation.
The Farakka Barrage in West Bengal has obstructed hilsa migration since its construction in 1975, leading to a significant decline in their numbers in India. The Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) has taken steps under the National Mission for Clean Ganga to increase hilsa numbers, including releasing juvenile hilsas and fertilized eggs into upstream areas.
While the cost of hilsa is high due to its demand and health benefits, pollution, overfishing, and obstruction by dams are identified as major threats to the hilsa population. The CIFRI has conducted awareness programs to educate fisherfolk about hilsa conservation and implemented measures such as fishing bans during breeding seasons.
The West Bengal government has declared some river stretches as sanctuaries to protect hilsas. However, fisherfolk organizations express dissatisfaction, claiming inadequate government initiatives. Pollution is acknowledged as a contributing factor to stress among aquatic organisms, including fish.
Joint efforts among India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar are suggested for effective hilsa conservation, considering its transboundary nature. The high demand for hilsa in India has led to dependency on Bangladesh for supply, with the countries sharing amicable relations.
Bangladesh employs strategic measures for hilsa conservation, including the establishment of sanctuaries for juvenile hilsas, protection of breeding sites, seasonal fishing bans, and subsidies for the fishing community during breeding and nursing periods. As India strives to secure its hilsa population, collaborative efforts with neighboring countries become imperative for the sustainable preservation of this essential fish species.
