Massive use of current nets is continuing unabated in Ratargul swamp forest under Hakaluki Haor in the district during the ongoing monsoon season, contributing to the depletion of a variety of local fish species living in the swamp.

The callous act in defiance of a government restriction is causing decline in fish production as a huge quantity of mother fish and fry are getting caught in the nets, forest officials said.

This will eventually lead to extinction of different fish species in Ratargul, which covers an area of 504.50 acres, as per forest official data.

Hakaluki is a natural breeding ground of many species of sweet water fish, fisheries officials said, adding that some species had become extinct.

As a measure to discourage illegal fishing in the ecologically critical area during the breeding season, authorities had served notices asking the fishermen to hand over their nets to the upazila offices, but to no effect, the officials added.

Locals said the illegal netting of fish fry is rampant in Ratargul under Guainghat upazila of the district. Fishermen said they are catching fish defying the ban as they had no alternative.

Moin Uddin Sakib, a student of Dhaka University told this correspondent that when he had visited Ratargul earlier the local people seemed to be very optimistic about the tourism boom, which could change their fate. But this time they seemed worried.

"Our boatman informed us that birds have started to flee. Some locals alleged that the authorities were trying to camouflage their evil intention of forest grabbing by undertaking completely unnecessary projects. We will be very happy if the accusation is proved wrong," he added.

Abdul Karim Kim, member secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) (Bangladesh Environment Movement) Sylhet chapter, said that protecting the rivers from encroachment and pollution is a must to save biodiversity and the lives and livelihood of the people. In this situation, authorisation to cut trees must be immediately revoked. Otherwise, tough agitation programme will be announced, he added.

Delwar Husain, divisional forest officer of Sylhet, said the measure was taken to discourage the illegal netting of fishes in the ecologically important area. However, there are only two guards to cover the Ratargul area for 24 hours, which is why they cannot maintain proper security in the forest.