Abdul Kuddus, Abdul Mannan and Akbar Ali of Dhangara, who live by fishing, said many of the local varieties of fish they used to catch are no longer available in the rivers and water bodies.

Fishermen of Bramagachha, Pangashi and Nolka also said they do not find some local varieties of fish in Fuljore and Ichamati rivers, canals and water bodies.

The varieties that are seriously at stake include tatkini, gharua, bagair, rita, pangash, chital, mahashal and sarputi.

Bacha, chhap chela, dhela, bashpata, napto koi, foli, guji and ayr fishes are also endangered, according to fishermen and officials.

Some fish varieties such as golsa, darkina, pabda, gojar, titputi, nama chanda, kalibaus, tila shoal, khalisha, meni, rayek and magur, have also been rare in the area.

Raiganj has quite a number of lakes namely Koira Beel, Jugidaha, Hasildah and Buri Beel, and many canals, ponds and water bodies, where local varieties of fish are caught. But fish is no more abundant in these wate bodies.

