Bangladesh Bans Export of Hilsa to India amid Durga Puja. Bengalis Are Sad

Bengali and their craving for a delicacy with Hila is uncompromised. Especially when they are approaching the most loved and enjoyed event Dura Puja (Durga Navratri). Contrary to their love, Bangladesh barred the export of Padma Hilsa which is primarily found in Bangladesh and its coastal belt. Padma River is quite popular for the freshwater fishes available and the quantity of fish that can be extracted out.

The Kolkata-based Fish Exporter association was turned down with an offer to export the Padma Hilsa which was signed under the Hasina Government. The treaty claimed that close to 1000 KG of Hilsa will be exported to India for the month when Durga Puja is celebrated. The treaty signed in the year 2019 was under the influence of Sheikh Hasina where she had agreed to export the freshwater Hilsa to India.

The association just like every year, wrote to Touhid Hossain requesting to share Hilsa as per the norms. However, Farida Akhter, Fish and animal resource minister of Bangladesh has rejected the request, citing domestic demands.

"Earlier, we had been importing around 5,000 tonnes of hilsa a year from Bangladesh through the Petrapole land customs station," Maqsood said. "The trade was banned by the Bangladesh govt in 2012. From Sept 2019, the government allowed hilsa trade only during Durga Puja as a goodwill gesture.

It is also assumed that close to 1300 tonnes of Hilsa was exported to India in the year in the year 2020 which was less than the amount sanctioned by the Government. Thus, it is clear to the Bengali’s that Hilsa will not be brought this year and might sadden most of the people.