Bishkhali River strangled by nets, trawlers, and bribes

Fixed stake nets have transformed the Bishkhali River into an impassable barrier for fish migration and boat navigation across 20 kilometers from Bangladesh's Bay of Bengal to Patharghata municipality. Hundreds of illegally installed poles anchor massive nets that trap everything from breeding Hilsa fish to fingerlings, devastating local fish populations and forcing traditional fishermen into manual labor jobs. At least 200 individuals have claimed ownership of river sections through fraudulent notarized sales, despite legal experts confirming rivers remain public property under Supreme Court rulings. Government officials acknowledge 300 fishermen operate illegal nets while 520 registered trawlers cannot navigate the waterway, prompting promises of enforcement action from the National River Conservation Commission and local administrators.