In Bangladesh’s Chalan Beel region, widespread snail collection has raised serious environmental concerns as local farmers and fishers, facing seasonal unemployment, harvest snails for sale to traders who supply them as feed for ducks and fish. The trade, reportedly worth around 50,000 taka daily at Bilsha point alone, has become a major source of income for marginalized communities. However, environmental experts warn that snails play a crucial ecological role by cleaning water bodies and maintaining soil fertility. Their indiscriminate removal could lead to water pollution, reduced fish production, and declining soil quality. Despite existing laws protecting aquatic species, enforcement remains weak, allowing the practice to continue unchecked. Local biodiversity activists have urged administrative intervention, while agricultural officials caution that the loss of snails and other aquatic organisms could reduce calcium levels in the soil, ultimately affecting crop yields. The local administration has pledged to investigate and take legal action against those involved.
চলনবিলে বর্ষার পানি কমে যাওয়ায় ছোট-বড় বিভিন্ন আকৃতির শামুক পাওয়া যাচ্ছে। কর্মহীন কৃষক ও জেলেরা সেই শামুক সংগ্রহ করে জীবিকা নির্বাহ করছেন। এসব শামুক হাঁস ও মাছের খাদ্য হিসাবে কিনছেন এক শ্রেনীর অসাধু ব্যবসায়ী। নির্বিচারে শামুক নিধনের ফলে বিলের জীববৈচিত
The ‘1 Nojor’ media platform is now live in beta, inviting users to explore and provide feedback as we continue to refine the experience.
