The government has allocated 998.12 metric tonnes of rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme to assist the families of fishermen who maintain livelihood by catching fish from the Kaptai Lake and who are refraining from fishing in the area during a three-month ban.
It imposed the three-month ban from May 1 on fishing in Kaptai Lake, the biggest man-made lake in Bangladesh and the largest breeding place of carp fish in Chattogram division. The ban will stay in force till July 31, 2022.
Under the programme, 24,953 families of fishermen in 10 upazilas of Rangamati and Khagrachhari hill districts on the banks of Kaptai Lake will each receive 40 kg of rice for the month of May and June 2022 in the current fiscal year 2021-21.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has allocated the VGF rice, according to the statement issued on Thursday.
The deputy commissioners(DCs) concerned have been asked to complete the distribution of rice within September 30 this year.
The DCs have also been directed to complete the lifting and distribution of the VGF rice among the fishermen by June 10, 2022.
Instructions have been given to distribute this rice only among the registered and card holders who are refraining from fishing in Kaptai Lake, the statement says.
The ban was imposed to protect mother fishes and ensure safe breeding and growing up of carp and other species of fishes in the lake.
During the 90-day ban, all kinds of fishing, including catching, carrying, transporting, selling, buying – as well as carrying of fishing nets – will be strictly prohibited.
Created in 1962, Kaptai Lake produces more than 7,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fishes annually.
