Critically endangered goonch catfish, known locally as baghair, are being caught in the Jamuna at Madarganj in Jamalpur and sold openly in markets in direct breach of wildlife law, Ittefaq reports. The fish are taken every day from the Jamuna basin along the border of Madarganj and Sariakandi in Bogura and sold at high prices in local markets.
Large baghair are sold almost daily at Balijuri bazar, the main trading centre of Madarganj, usually weighing 30 to 100 kg. On Thursday a 44 kg fish was among several sold there. They currently fetch Tk 1,000 to 1,500 a kilogram.
Fishermen say large baghair become more common in the river in winter and are caught with "pagla barshi" hooks and special nets. Some, speaking anonymously, claimed not to know of the ban and said wholesalers pay well. Fish of 100 to 200 kg used to be caught in the Jamuna and taken to market by bullock cart; they are smaller now but still caught regularly in winter.
Under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012 the baghair is a protected, critically endangered species. Catching, selling, transporting or keeping it is an offence punishable by up to a year in prison, a fine of up to Tk 50,000, or both.
Jahangir Selim, an environment and wildlife development worker in Jamalpur, said hunting the baghair pushes biodiversity towards destruction and those involved must face legal action. A Forest Department wildlife and biodiversity conservation officer said legal steps would be taken quickly to stop the trade. Ittefaq said repeated attempts to reach Madarganj's acting upazila fisheries officer, Kamruzzaman, were unsuccessful.
Photo: Henry Sullivan Thomas / Wikimedia Commons (public domain); goonch catfish (Bagarius yarrelli), historical drawing
Source: Ittefaq
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