As the dried fish processing season begins, an anticipated 10,000 fishermen hailing from coastal regions are set to gather at Dublar Char, famously referred to as ‘Shutki Polli’ or the Dried Fish village. Every year, several thousand fishermen and hired hands flock to the area to catch and make dried fish, as per UNB reports.
According to the forest department, this year, the authorities concerned have given permission to erect 108 makeshift houses and 78 depots for the accommodation of fishermen and the preservation of dried fish. The fishermen will catch fish using 1500 trawlers in the Sundarbans. They will process the fish and keep them under the sun for drying.
Dublar Char is already buzzing with workers and traders after the authorities issued permits to fishermen to catch fish. Last year, the government earned Tk 60 million in revenue from Dublar Char and this year, a Tk 70 million target has been set. Dublar Char is abuzz with labourers and traders following the issuance of permits to fishermen for fish harvesting. The government generated Tk 60 million in revenue from Dublar Char last year, and this year, a target of Tk 70 million has been set.
Different species of fish including Loitta, Faissa, Koral, Pomfret, Chhuri, Tuna and many more are being processed at Dublar Char. The demand for dried fish from the area is high as they are processed without using chemicals and formalin. Rabiul Islam, a fisherman from Rampal Upazila, said he came to Dublar Char on Friday and spent a busy day making makeshift houses with bamboo, polythene and hogla (long dry grass used for sheds). Shahid Mallik, president of Matsyajibi Samity, said thousands of fishermen have already reached the area while many went to the sea to catch fish.
Dilip Majumdar, officer-in-charge of Alorkol camp, said the fishermen are busy erecting makeshift houses and it takes two to three days to complete. Some fishermen were busy processing their catch under the open sky, he said. Rana Deb, assistant forest conservator of Sundarbans East zone, said the dried fish processing season began on November 3 and will continue till March 31, next year. The fishermen will live in Alorkol, Majherkella, Narikelbaria and Shelar Char for five months.
Sheikh Mahbub Hasan, assistant conservator of Forests under Sharankhola Range, said the forest department has been asked to remain vigilant so that no one in the guise of fishermen can commit crimes on Dublar Char.