Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said that dredging is the first and foremost task to preserve Kaptai Lake, as it has long been a demand of the local people.

The lake is gradually filling up due to continuous silt accumulation, which has lowered the water level and made it difficult for large fish species to survive,” she said while addressing a views-exchange meeting with stakeholders on Kaptai Lake at the conference room of the Rangamati Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Monday.

As a result, the lake is now dominated by small fish while the number of larger species has dropped alarmingly,” she added. The adviser emphasized that preserving Kaptai Lake requires not only government initiatives but also the active participation of local communities and all relevant stakeholders.

Responding to a question from journalists, the adviser said pollution in the lake is also increasing due to indiscriminate dumping of waste and sewage discharge. “We will hold discussions with the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and other concerned authorities to take prompt decisions in this regard,” she said.

Earlier, a video presentation highlighting the challenges and potential of Kaptai Lake was presented by Commander Md. Fayez Al Karim, Manager of the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC).

Later in the afternoon, the adviser visited the Karnafuli Hydropower Plant and Dam in Kaptai upazila. BFDC Chairman Farah Shammi, Manager of the Karnafuli Hydropower Plant Mahmud Hasan, and other officials were present during the visit.