by Md Hedait Hossain Molla in Dhaka Tribune, Aug 18, 2023
Ershad Ali Ghazi, a fisherman in Kaibaddasakathi Char in Bagerhat’s Rampal, was registered under the Fisheries Department for food aid eight years ago when he was given a card.
Using such cards, the enlisted fishermen are supposed to collect 30 kgs of rice twice a year when the government enforces a ban on fishing in the sea, rivers and the Sundarbans to ensure a safe breeding ground for fish.
Ershad Ali says fishing is his sole source of income. Therefore, earning money to buy daily necessities and bear other expenses for his family of five members often seems impossible during the ban as he has to work as a farmer or as a daily wage-earner.
During a recent visit to the area, the Dhaka Tribune correspondent discovered that Ershad is among around 350 fishermen living in the char areas of Gourambha Union who have never received any government food assistance in the last 8-11 years.
Despite that, Ershad was preparing for the new season as the 65-day ban on fishing in the sea was lifted on July 23.
The livelihood of the fishermen is hampered when the government enforces a three-month ban on entry into the Sundarbans mangrove forest from June 1-August 31.
Moreover, these fishermen depend on sea resources during the ban on fishing in the rivers in the ilish season in March-April and three weeks in October.
Owing to the lack of food aid during the ban, these fishermen find themselves in extreme conditions.
Koibaddaskathi Char is a neglected habitat under Kapasdanga village of Gourambha Union, located on the border of Rampal of Bagerhat and Dakop of Khulna. The char houses around 800 fishermen families.
Rashida Begum, wife of ailing fisherman Jalil Sheikh, said that despite having a fisherman’s card, the family did not get food aid during the ban. It only get 30 kgs of rice under the VGF program once every six months.
However, as per the government rules, these families are supposed to get 30 kgs of rice every month.
Fisherman Abdur Rahman’s wife Tania Begum said that her husband had a food ration card too. Two years ago, the Union Parishad office took his card without providing food assistance, saying that he would be called later.
“Two years have passed, but no one has called us to collect food aid. They did not return our card either. My husband travels to different places for work during the ban on fishing. Now, even though the ban is lifted, due to a nagging financial crisis, he is unable to prepare to go to sea,” she told Dhaka Tribune.
Another fisherman, Mazharul Haque, claimed that he had not received any food aid in the 11 years since getting a card. “When I went to the Union Parishad office seeking food assistance, the officials said they would see to the matter later.”
When contacted, Gourambha UP Chairman Rajib Sardar said that the UP gets allocation for 21 fishermen in the area. “The cardholder fishermen are getting food assistance in phases,” he claimed.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, acting UNO of Rampal Upazila Sheikh Salahuddin Bikul said that effective action will be taken after investigating the matter.
Initiative for Right View (IRV) Executive Director Marina Juthi said many landless people from the Koibaddaskathi Char have got homes under the Ashrayan Project. “We hope the rest of the landless families will get houses too. Besides, we have taken initiatives to organize and train women in the area so that they can become skilled and engage in income-generating activities.”
She added: “With the help of public representatives and local administration, we have taken initiatives to include landless people in the social safety net scheme and identify their needs.”
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/322805/fishermen-s-woes-350-families-deprived-of-food
