Dry fish treated with toxic chemicals on sale

Authorities turn a blind eye as fishermen sell 'poison' with impunity

Several species of dry fish, mixed with toxic DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) powder and harmful chemicals, are being sold at different “haats” and bazaars in the northern region, causing cases of diarrhoea, stomach ache, liver infection, cancer and skin infection.
The affected areas include the Greater Chalan Beel region in Sirajganj, Bogra, Natore, Pabna, Naogaon, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Gaibanda district. Some fishermen have reportedly used DDT powder and harmful chemicals to protect fish from rotting and being attacked by insects. There are complaints that the Health Department has not taken necessary steps to curb the activity, despite being aware of the matter.
Huge quantities of fish were caught in the greater Chalan Beel area as the water level receded during the dry season, including Fry Fish, Walking Fish, Climbing Fish, Flat Fish, Carp Fish, Shrimp, Eel, Sheat Fish, Mola Fish, Cat Fish, Butter Fish and Salmon. The fishermen used toxic DDT powder and chemicals to preserve the fish, which were then supplied to wholesellers in the region.
Warehouses for dry fish abound in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Panchagorh and Gaibandha district in Rangpur division and Sirajganj, Pabna, Natore, Bogra, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon district in Rajshahi division.
The owners procure the dry fish from Chalan Beel during winter, later selling them in retail markets.
During a recent visit to the Chalan Beel area, this correspondent found fishermen using several terraces in the Chalan Beel area for the purpose. Some fishermen, on conditions of anonymity, revealed that DDT powder and chemicals were used to preserve the fish.
Debprodo Roy, civil surgeon in Sirajganj district, agreed that consumption of these chemically treated fish may cause hard diseases, including liver infection and cancer. He added that it is the duty of the Fishery Department to monitor such cases and ensure there is no toxic powder and chemicals being used. However, so far, the Fishery Department has not taken any action against such dishonest  fishermen.
During a visit to bazaars in the northern region, this Correspondent discovered that dry fish mixed with DDT powder and other chemicals are selling unabated. Most people said they are unaware about the use of toxic powder and chemicals.
Farhana Haque, acting civil surgeon in Rajshahi, believes it would be possible to reduce these cases, provided the mobile court drive continues in the markets.
But, these drives also suffer due to lack of manpower, required number of magistrates, police and other officials.
According to Horendra Nath, district fisheries officer (DFO) in Sirajganj, the use of all harmful and toxic powder or chemicals in dry fish is unlawful and a punishable crime. He suggested a dry fish preservation centre in the Chalan Beel area, so that fishermen do not resort to unethical means.
He added that many terraces to treat fish were functioning in remote areas of the Chalan Beel region, such as Bogra, Pabna and Natore district, which are out of his jurisdiction. Certain fishermen took advantage of this fact, he remarked, but assured that a drive would be conducted against such illegal activities and punishment meted out by the mobile court to the best of its capacity.

Dry fish treated with toxic chemicals on sale

Authorities turn a blind eye as fishermen sell poison with impunity

Several species of dry fish, mixed with toxic DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) powder and harmful chemicals, are being sold at different haats and bazaars in the northern region, causing cases of diarrhoea, stomach ache, liver infection, cancer and skin infection. The affected areas include the Greater Chalan Beel region in Sirajganj, Bogra, Natore, Pabna, Naogaon, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Gaibanda district. Some fishermen have reportedly used DDT powder and harmful chemicals to protect fish from rotting and being attacked by insects. There are complaints that the Health Department has not taken necessary steps to curb the activity, despite being aware of the matter. Huge quantities of fish were caught in the greater Chalan Beel area as the water level receded during the dry season, including Fry Fish, Walking Fish, Climbing Fish, Flat Fish, Carp Fish, Shrimp, Eel, Sheat Fish, Mola Fish, Cat Fish, Butter Fish and Salmon. The fishermen used toxic DDT powder and chemicals to preserve the fish, which were then supplied to wholesellers in the region. Warehouses for dry fish abound in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Panchagorh and Gaibandha district in Rangpur division and Sirajganj, Pabna, Natore, Bogra, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon district in Rajshahi division. The owners procure the dry fish from Chalan Beel during winter, later selling them in retail markets. During a recent visit to the Chalan Beel area, this correspondent found fishermen using several terraces in the Chalan Beel area for the purpose. Some fishermen, on conditions of anonymity, revealed that DDT powder and chemicals were used to preserve the fish. Debprodo Roy, civil surgeon in Sirajganj district, agreed that consumption of these chemically treated fish may cause hard diseases, including liver infection and cancer. He added that it is the duty of the Fishery Department to monitor such cases and ensure there is no toxic powder and chemicals being used. However, so far, the Fishery Department has not taken any action against such dishonest fishermen. During a visit to bazaars in the northern region, this Correspondent discovered that dry fish mixed with DDT powder and other chemicals are selling unabated. Most people said they are unaware about the use of toxic powder and chemicals. Farhana Haque, acting civil surgeon in Rajshahi, believes it would be possible to reduce these cases, provided the mobile court drive continues in the markets. But, these drives also suffer due to lack of manpower, required number of magistrates, police and other officials. According to Horendra Nath, district fisheries officer (DFO) in Sirajganj, the use of all harmful and toxic powder or chemicals in dry fish is unlawful and a punishable crime. He suggested a dry fish preservation centre in the Chalan Beel area, so that fishermen do not resort to unethical means. He added that many terraces to treat fish were functioning in remote areas of the Chalan Beel region, such as Bogra, Pabna and Natore district, which are out of his jurisdiction. Certain fishermen took advantage of this fact, he remarked, but assured that a drive would be conducted against such illegal activities and punishment meted out by the mobile court to the best of its capacity.