Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Coastal Zone of Khulna District in Bangladesh: Fisheries Land Use and Its Potentials

Md. Abul Kashem
Junior Fisheries Consultant
National Land Zoning Project, Ministry of Land, 3/A, Bhumi Bhaban Complex, Nilkhet, Babupura, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abdullah Al Mamun Siddiqui
Fisheries Consultant
Pragmatic Foundation, West Lane of Singer Showroom (1st Floor), Victoria Road, Tangail-1900, Bangladesh

Md. Mahbubur Rahman
GIS & RS Specialist
National Land Zoning Project, Ministry of Land, 3/A, Bhumi Bhaban Complex, Nilkhet, Babupura, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Khulna district was established in 1882. It is situated between 22°12′ and 23°59′ north latitudes and between 89°14′ and 89°45′ east longitudes. The district is bounded on the north by Jessore and Narail districts, on the east by Bagerhat district, on the south by the Bay of Bengal and on the west by Satkhira district. In respect of area, it ranks 1st among the 10 districts in Khulna division and 4th among the 64 districts of the country. Land use in coastal Bangladesh is diverse, competitive and conflicting. Agriculture, shrimp farming, salt production, forestry, ship-breaking yards, ports, industry, settlements and wetlands are some of the uses. Land uses have gone through major changes. Land use in the 1950s had been mainly for paddy cultivation, but salinity intrusion and tidal flooding prevented further intensification. The detailed fisheries study has been carried out up to union level to collect all kinds of relevant data, maps, reports and information from field survey using proper tools and techniques. The relevant secondary data on fisheries land uses, satellite image classification and information pertinent to present status of fisheries had also been collected from Department of Fisheries (DoF), BBS and SPARSO suitability and assign it to one or a few specific uses for which the land will technically most suitable and economically viable. To determine present fisheries land use situation detailed experiment study has been conducted through PRA tools like Key Informant Interview (KII) with the related fish farmer, local people and little coordination of Government officials. Satellite images were used to identify water bodies of the Khulna District. Upazila wise fisheries land use maps have been prepared interpreting the satellite image. This Upazila wise map was validated and Khulna district fisheries land use map was finalized by ground truthing and discussion at experiment work.

Keywords: Land use, Aquaculture, Shrimp farming, Land zoning

Location: Coastal zone of Khulna district in Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Fish Market, Prospect

Objectives:

The main objectives of the study are: 1. to develop and assessment of capture and culture fisheries area and their current status; 2. to demarcate the suitable areas for both capture and culture fisheries; 3. to identify protective measures for our wetland habitats and its sustainable development;

Methodology:

History of fisheries land use in Khulna district The Bangladesh coastal zone is a significant maritime habitat of ecologically rich and economically important natural resources. The area is situated along the largest river system running below the Himalayan Mountains. In this zone, the rivers discharge an enormous quantity of fresh water and maintain a level of salinity both on land and in sea that favours the rapid growth of a wide variety of vegetation and aquatic life. The coastal region, especially the southwestern portion Khulna district is one of the most promising areas for shrimp cultivation for two major reasons (MOFL, 1997; Karim and Shah, 2001): First, its freshand saltwater resources are abundant in almost all seasons; second, the world’s largest continuous mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, provides a food source and nursery for the offshore fishery. It is estimated that about 250,000 ha of land has good potential for coastal aquaculture (Ahmed, 1995). About 180,000 ha is suitable for shrimp culture (Khan and Hossain, 1996). Coastal aquaculture increased from 20,000 ha in 1994/1995 to 135,000 ha in 1996/1997, and production from 4000 to 35,000 metric tons in the same period (MOFL, 1997). The rapid expansion of shrimp farm development during the last decade, along with the adoption of extensive and improved extensive culture techniques, has caused growing concern as to its adverse effect on the coastal environment and damage to the traditional agricultural systems. The socioeconomic scenarios have changed rapidly.

Land use of Khulna District Land use in Bangladesh is generally determined by physiography, climate and land height in relation to water level (Brammer, 2002). These together make a highly complex environment characterized by five main land types related to depth of seasonal flooding: 30 or more agroecological zones encompassing differences in soils, climate and hydrology; and areas with varying degrees of risk of disastrous floods, drought and cyclones. About 60% of the lands are inundated to a depth of 30 cm or more. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics publishes land-use statistics regularly. Emphasis is mainly on agriculture. Land uses are classified as net cropped area, current fallow, current waste, forest and area not available for cultivation. Along this line, SRDI (Soil Resources Development Institute) produces agricultural land-use maps for the country identifying many different types of agricultural land use.

Present Fisheries Status of Khulna District Fisheries of Khulna district have immense prospects and scope of development to strengthen the rural economy. The basic mechanism of capture fisheries at Khulna has been allocation of fishing rights through periodic leasing and affordable modern aquaculture techniques has been practiced. Fisheries resources of Khulna considering rivers, estuaries, flood plains, beels, lakes and ponds which are the most important sources of livelihood and food supply for the rural poor. Wetlands are the most important sources of livelihood and food supply for the rural poor. Wetlands are being threatened by man-made problems and natural calamities. Fisheries sector contributes 4.39% to the national GDP and 22.76% to the total agricultural GDP (Bangladesh Economic Review 2012). About 2.5% the total of country export earning comes from the fisheries sector (2011-2012) and it ranks 3rd among the export oriented industries. Fish supplements to about 60% of our daily animal protein intake and about 11% of the population depends directly and indirectly on the fisheries for their livelihood (DoF, 2013). Total fish production was gradually grown up during the last 10 years. The production in 2002- 2003 was 21.21 lakh MT, where as it increased up to 34.10 lakh MT in 2011-12 (Fisheries Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh 2012-2013).

Source of Information: International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2017; 5(2): 599-608

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Khulna district is endowed with rich and vast fisheries resources. Due to favorable natural conditions and geographical location these fisheries resources have high potential of increasing fisheries production in this Upazila. The coastal and estuarine areas of Bangladesh are covered by extensive mud flats, saline water, brackish water and protected bays. These places support huge numbers of important living resources, which are suitable for marine ranching. Local people indiscriminately utilize these natural resources and some are now completely destroyed, for example, the Sunderban mangrove forest in Khulna District. Most of the resources are being over-utilized (e.g. fish stock and shrimp fry) while some remain untouched or underutilized (mollusks, seaweeds, crabs and offshore fishes). Therefore, sustainable practices, management and conservation of the estuarine and coastal resources and their related ecosystems are needed. Fisheries Sector of Khulna district can contribute to improve the socio-economic condition of the rural people. Fisheries land use of Khulna was analyzed using field survey, focus group discussion (FGD), government data and statistics and satellite image interpretation. The water bodies of the upazila are habitats of valuable fish and other aquatic organisms. This study has identified potential causes for this decline including habitat degradation due to siltation and conversion of wetland to agriculture, increasing fishing pressure, destructive fishing practices and an acute shortage of dry-season wetland habitats. Continued research on land use will support optimum, sustainable and environmentally friendly land use and the subsequent modern management of land use through land zoning. Setting the appropriate legislative framework is fundamental to effective implementation of the land use and zoning policy. A number of laws are in operation since long author using surveillance and patrolling of the coastal and marine waters for the preservation of the natural environment and sustainable use of coastal resources. This version of land zoning is expected to be used as a basis for detailed land zoning, as elaborated in the Land- Use Policy (MoL, 2001). The challenge is to give a legal status to this broad zoning. However, the strength of this exercise is that it has brought relevant agencies together on an institutional platform. A consensus has been reached to aim for further detailed land use and zoning, but taking one step at a time. Land zoning, complemented by policy and investment support, can be instrumental in managing diverse land uses in the coastal zone.

Knowledge Management: Journal