Fisherfolk in Joypurhat formed a human chain protesting the lease of a public pond to a rival cooperative, alleging exclusion, irregularities and risks to livelihoods, governance and local food security.
Traditional fisherfolk in northern Bangladesh have protested the leasing of a government-owned waterbody to a cooperative they allege is dominated by non-fishers, warning that the decision threatens livelihoods, raises governance concerns and could undermine local food security.
Members of the Madarpur Malipara Fishermen Cooperative formed a human chain in front of the Kalai Upazila Land Office on Tuesday, protesting the lease of Kuzail Dighi, a roughly 60 bigha waterbody equivalent to about 20 acres or around 8 hectares, to another group they say does not represent active fishing households.
Under Bangladesh’s public waterbody leasing system, known as jalmahal management, government policy generally prioritises registered cooperatives of genuine fishermen to protect traditional livelihoods and reduce the risk of elite capture of fisheries resources. Disputes over leases are not uncommon, with fishing communities across the country frequently alleging procedural irregularities and exclusion.
The dispute reflects broader tensions in Bangladesh over the allocation of public fisheries resources, where unclear oversight, local political influence and competition over valuable waterbodies can create conflicts between traditional users and better-connected groups.
Access to small ponds and wetlands remains a critical pillar of rural economies, providing income, nutrition and resilience for low-income households. Activist groups say transparent leasing processes and proper verification of fisher status are essential to prevent the marginalisation of small-scale fishing communities.
Protesters alleged that the lease was granted in the name of the Bada Uchcha Madhyapara Fishermen Cooperative, whose members are largely engaged in other professions, effectively marginalising long-time fishing families who depend on the pond for income and subsistence.
Anil Chandra Mali, president of the Madarpur Malipara Fishermen Cooperative, said their members had depended on Kuzail Dighi for years and called for the leasing process to be suspended until authorities verify the occupations and official fisherman identification cards of cooperative members.
He argued that long-time fishing households had been unfairly excluded despite submitting written complaints, adding that the lease was awarded without a thorough investigation.
A member of the cooperative that received the lease rejected the allegations, saying the group was formed through proper procedures and participated legally in the bidding process.
The protest coincided with a visit by Joypurhat Deputy Commissioner Al Mamun Mia, who was inspecting the local land office. Fisherfolk raised their concerns directly with him, after which he asked them to submit a formal complaint and assured them that the matter would be investigated.
“We have received written complaints regarding the lease of the waterbody. Necessary action will be taken after investigation,” he said.
Whether the lease will be reviewed or suspended now depends on the outcome of the official inquiry, as debate continues locally over fairness, accountability and the protection of livelihoods tied to public natural resources.
