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.
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, during a three-month ban on fishing, said a press release issued here today.
On April 26, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a sanction order in this regard in favour of the concerned Deputy Commissioners. The Deputy Commissioners have been directed to complete the lifting and distribution of 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 10 VGF-allocated upazilas are - Sadar, Langadu, Baghaichhari, Naniyarchar, Kaptai, Bilaichhari, Jurachhari and Barkal in Rangamati district and Mahalchhari and Dighinala in Khagrachhari district, the release added.
In order to increase the breeding and production of carp and other native species of fish, all kinds of fishing is prohibited in Kaptai Lake for three months from May to July every year.
The local district administration has already banned the procurement, marketing and transportation of all kinds of fish in the lake for three months from May 1 this year.
During the ban on fishing, naval police will conduct operations in Kaptai Lake.
