HC orders culling of all Kadamtali lagoon fish

The High Court yesterday in a verdict gave seven directives to the government for stopping cultivation of fishes in Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority's lagoon in the capital's Kadamtoli, as its water and fishes are poisonous and harmful.

Following a writ petition, the court ordered the authorities concerned of the government to cull all fishes of the lagoon through using medicine in the presence of a magistrate, law enforcers and journalists in every two months.

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It asked the authorities to construct boundary walls around the 246 acres of lagoon of Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant of Wasa.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal ordered the government to appoint necessary Ansar members and security guards for monitoring so that no one can cultivate and catch fishes in the poisonous water as well as sell those fishes.      

The authorities have been directed to strengthen patrolling of night guards there.

They have to set up necessary number of signboards in the lagoon area, saying that its fishes are toxic and harmful for health and cultivation, catching and trading fish there are punishable offence.

The court asked the government to take necessary steps for reforming and preserving the lagoon.

The authorities have to form a citizens' committee with local representatives to assist  Wasa to stop cultivation of fishes.

Writ petitioner's counsel Manzill Mushid told The Daily Star that the Wasa authorities have submitted a report to the HC as per its earlier order, saying that the water of its lagoon and fishes cultivated there are poisonous and harmful for people's health.

If the people consume such fishes, they might be affected with different diseases including cancer, he added.

Following the petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, the HC in November 2011, had asked the government to form an expert committee to recommend ways for stopping fish cultivation in the lagoon.