Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management 2009 14: 3–19

The Chalan beel in Bangladesh: Habitat and biodiversity

Blackwell Publishing Asia Original Article
The Chalan beel in Bangladesh

degradation, and implications for future management

Mostafa A. R. Hossain,1* M. Nahiduzzaman,1 M. Abu Sayeed,1 M. Ekram Azim2,
M. Abdul Wahab1 and Paul G. Olin3
1
Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
2
Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, 1265 Military Trail,
Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
3
Sea Grant Extension Program, University of California, Davis Cooperative Extension, 133 Aviation Blvd.,
Suite 109, Santa Rosa, California 95403, USA

Abstract
This study provides an overview of the current resources and fisheries status of the Chalan beel, and identifies the scope of
opportunities to evolve existing fisheries management strategies, focusing on fish biodiversity conservation. Chalan beel is
the largest, most important watershed in the North Central Bangladesh, and covers an area of about 375 km2 during the
monsoon season. The watershed serves about 5 million people, predominantly through fisheries and agricultural activities.
Although considerably degraded over time, Chalan beel still supports a diverse ichthyofauna of major importance to the
local economy and people’s livelihoods. The Chalan beel area incorporates 21 rivers and 93 smaller seasonal beels of varying
size. Most of the rivers and beels are at risk of partial or total degradation, as a result of agricultural encroachment, siltation
and other anthropogenic activities. During the study, ≈ 83% of the rivers, and 68% of the beels in the lean season, shrunk to
0–5% of their maximum (monsoon) water-spread area during the dry season (i.e. critical levels for survival of many fish
species). A fish catch survey was carried out in the main fishing season (July to December) over two successive years in the
three most important catchment areas; namely, the Gumani, Baral and Katagang Rivers. A total of 72 sampling episodes
yielded 9818 individuals, representing 114 fish species. The most abundant fish species during the 2-year study period were
punti (Puntius sophore and Puntius ticto), followed by chanda (Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga), chapila (Gudusia
chapra) and tengra (Mystus vittatus). The study results indicate at least 19 fish species once considered abundant can now
be classified as threatened, with a possibility of local extinction. The mean fish catch was 2.08 ± 0.49 kg, and 1.29 ± 0.32 kg
per hour per person, by suti jal (set bag net – the most common gear used in the beel) in 2005 and 2006, respectively, with
a significant (P < 0.05) variation among catches in months and years at all three sample sites. In 2005–2006, the annual fish
production in Chalan beel was 12 217 tonnes, being less than half of the production observed in 1982. The stakeholders
identified several major causes they thought were directly responsible for the continued decrease in fish production and
biodiversity of the beel area. Several management strategies were suggested by the same stakeholders, and the findings are
discussed in the context of overall developments in the Chalan beel fisheries related to habitat and biodiversity management.

Key words
causes of biodiversity loss, Chalan beel, fish biodiversity, gear efficiency, management strategies.

INTRODUCTION through an internal drainage channel (Banglapedia 2004).

The beel is a Bengali term used for relatively large surface, This type of shallow, seasonal waterbody is common in
static waterbody that accumulates surface run-off water low-lying floodplain areas throughout Bangladesh. Chalan
beel also constitutes one of the largest, most important
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] watersheds in North Central Bangladesh. It consists of a
Accepted for publication 22 September 2008. series of depressions, interconnected by numerous channels

Doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1770.2009.00387.x © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

4 M. A. R. Hossain et al.

that form more or less one continuous sheet of water during METHODS
inundation (following the monsoon), that covers an area of Field works were undertaken in each of the 10 upazilas
about 375 km2. The water area then shrinks to a 52–78 km2 over which the Chalan beel spread in 2005 and 2006 –
residual cluster of smaller beels of varying size during the Singra, Gurudaspur, Boraigram, Chatmohar, Bhangura,
dry season. Faridpur, Shahjadpur, Ullapara, Tarash, and Raigonj, in
The Chalan beel is situated between 24.35° to 24.70°N three districts (Natore, Pabna, Sirajgonj). Data were
and between 89.10° to 89.35°E (Fig. 1). Historically, the beel collected from (i) interviews and focus group discussions
spreads over the 18 subdistricts (upazilas) of six districts, with primary and secondary stakeholders; (ii) direct
including Rajshahi (Paba, Bagmara and Mohonpur); Pabna sampling; and (iii) secondary literature. Semistructured
(Chatmohor, Vangura and Faridpur); Sirajgonj (Tarash, and structured questionnaires were developed, pretested
Ullapara, Raigonj and Shahjadpur); Natore (Sadar, Singra, and adapted prior to the survey proper. Key issues addressed
Gurudaspur and Baraigram); Naogaon (Manda, Raninagar included; (i) present status of the various habitats under
and Atrai); and Bogra (Nandigram). It presently spreads Chalan beel; (ii) fish biodiversity; and (iii) causes of habitat
over only 10 upazilas, however, including Singra, Gurudaspur, and biodiversity degradation and their possible mitigation
Boraigram, Chatmohar, Bhangura, Faridpur, Shahjadpur, measures.
Ullapara, Tarash and Raigonj, in the three districts of Natore,
Pabna and Sirajgonj. The stakeholders
The Chalan beel is a confluence for numerous smaller A total of 185 stakeholders, including fishers, fish farmers,
water ways and, in turn, is drained by channels that flow upazila fisheries officers, local leaders, school teachers
south, finally discharging into the Padma and Brahmaputra and housewives, participated in this study. Ten focus
Rivers (Iqbal 2006). The beel was a back-swamp before group discussions were conducted in 10 upazilas of Chalan
being greatly expanded by the inclusion of abandoned beel area. The characteristics of the stakeholder, including
courses of the Karatoa and Atrai Rivers (the latter being the nature of any primary dependency on the beel, are
former tributaries of the Jamuna River). Formation of the summarized in Table 1.
Chalan beel is historically linked to the demize of two key
feeder and drainage channels; namely, the Atrai and Baral Fish catch sampling
Rivers. The Atrai (locally known as the Gur), was the Three rivers are known to be the main sources of the
principal feeder channel draining the districts of Dinajpur capture fishery in the Chalan beel: (i) Gumani river at
and northern Rajshahi. The Baral River is another Gurudaspur Upazila (Natore district); (ii) Baral River at
important feeder channel that drained water from the Chatmohar Upazila (Pabna District); and (iii) Katagang
Padma River (the Ganges) to the beel through its tributaries River at Tarash Upazila (Sirajgonj District). These three
(Nandakuja and Godai Rivers). The Baral River ultimately rivers were selected for sampling (Fig. 2). Set bag nets
drained the beel into the Jamuna River. (Suti jal) were deployed to capture all types and sizes of
A survey carried out in 1909 by the then-Public Works fish, with minimum selectivity, in order to assess species
Department (PWD) found the original area of the beel was composition. Sampling was performed twice a month
about 1088 km2. Its reduction to its current area of 375 km2 during the main fishing season (October to November) in
(Banglapedia 2004) is a consequence of the above-noted 2005 and 2006, with each sample performed in triplicate.
drainage and watershed changes. Nevertheless, Chalan When possible, fish were identified, counted, weighed and
beel retains a diverse range of fish, aquatic invertebrates, then released onsite. Otherwise, they were preserved in
birds and others aquatic animals upon which the local 10% formalin in plastic jars for laborator y assessment.
economy and livelihoods of some 5 million people depend. The collected fish were identified on the basis of the
Services include the provision of fish and aquatic products, descriptions of Rahman (2005), Jhingran and Talwar
agricultural crops, and pasture lands for livestock. Despite (1991) and Froese and Pauly (2007).
this biological and socioeconomic significance, no systematic In order to estimate fishing gear efficiencies, in addition
research and/or management strategies for the Chalan to the set bag net, the fish sampling also was conducted
beel have yet been implemented. Rather, only a limited with four other commonly used gears, including (i) seine
public awareness raising effort was conducted under the net; (ii) gill net; (iii) cast net and (iv) fish traps. Each of
fourth fisheries programme of the Department of Fisheries. these five gears was sampled in triplicate at the same
This paper describes the current status of habitat and fish sample sites described above, although only monthly
biodiversity in Chalan beel, and explores management options during July to December in 2005 and 2006. The results
that emerged through dialogue with local stakeholders. were triangulated against other available secondary data

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

The Chalan beel in Bangladesh 5

Map showing location of Chalan beel in Bangladesh.

Fig. 1.

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

6 M. A. R. Hossain et al.

sources, namely, the Department of Fisheries reports, Statistical analysis

although non-government organization reports, scientific In order to estimate the interannual catch changes of the
journal articles and other published reports and materials most abundant species, the catch coefficient of variation
also were consulted. within each year (CVw = 100 Sm/Xm, where Xm and Sm are
the mean and standard deviation of monthly abundance,
respectively), and among years (CVa = 100 Sa/Xa, where
Xa and Sa are mean and standard deviation of annual
abundance, respectively), were calculated. Frequency
counts for the most abundant species were subjected to
analyses of variance (ANOVA) in order to assess potential
differences between the three sample sites, 2 years and
fishing months. Factors were tested with the general
linear model (GLM) for analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a
0.05 significance level. Statistical analyses were performed
using the SPSS (windows version 11.5) software package.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Present status of river and beels within
the Chalan beel
The Chalan beel incorporates 21 rivers, 93 small beels and
their floodplains, 12 817 ponds and 214 borrow pits. There
are 21 rivers streaming into the Chalan beel (Tables 2
and 3), covering a total area of about 709 ha and 3300 ha
during the dry and monsoon seasons, respectively (Table 2).
The rivers are categorized as large, medium or small in
Table 3, based on their surface area. The Gumani, Baral,
Gohala and Korotoa are larger rivers, with an average size
of 127.25 ha ± 139.30 (mean ± standard error (SE)) during
the dry season, and 648.75 ha ± 420.62 during the monsoon
Fig. 2. Location of sample sites in Chalan beel. season. Most of the rivers experience high siltation rates,

Table 1. Categorization of key stakeholder groups and their roles in study

Stakeholders Number Stakeholder role Involvement in study

Fishers 30 Depend on Chalan beel resources for livelihood Interview and FGD†
Fish farmers 30 Collection of wild fish fry and fingerling, kua‡ fishing Interview and FGD
Upazila fisheries officers 10 Implement fish acts; involved in leasing process, and motivating people for Interview and FGD
fish conservation and habitat restoration to increase fish production
Local leaders 25 Advocacy on conservation, conflict resolution, policy involvement in local level FGD
School teachers 25 Assist in implementing fish acts and motivating people through their students FGD
Housewives 20 Assist fishers FGD
Upazila Agriculture Officer 10 Regulate agrochemical use Interview
Crop farmer 20 Fishing, crop farming Interview and FGD
Fish traders 15 Invest in fishing business, promote fish transportation Interview and FGD

†FGD – focus group discussion: target-driven informal discussions with small groups (six to 10) of people, generally with same profession
or belonging to same stratum of community.
‡kua – small, but deeper, part of floodplain where people fix brush pile to attract fish during monsoon season, and catch them during dry
season.

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

The Chalan beel in Bangladesh 7

encroachment from human settlement, and dry to isolated Gumani, Koratoa, Shutkidah and Ichamati Rivers retained
pools (67.82% ± 3.67) during the dry season. The average the least (<20% of volume) during the dry season (Fig. 3).
river water depth ranged from 1.10 m ± 0.10 m and The Gumani and Baral Rivers retained only 16% and 34% of
5.18 m ± 0.25 m (mean ± SE) during the dry and monsoon their water area, respectively, during the dry season,
seasons, respectively. The Barnai, Vadrabati and Muktahar although these two rivers are the main feeder channels for
Rivers retained the most water (60% of volume), while the most of the beels situated in the Chalan beel area.
The Chalan beel encompasses some 93 smaller internal
beels (Table 4), with a total area of 2227 ha and 9164 ha
during the dry and monsoon seasons, respectively. These
beels can be categorized as small (0–1 ha; total of 19 beels),
Table 2. Waterbodies under Chalan beel and their area
medium (>1–5 ha; total of 30), medium large (>5–10 ha;
Area (ha) total of 19), and large (>10 ha; total of 25), based on their
Type of average residual water area during the dry season. Some
waterbody Number Dry season Monsoon 25 of the large beels cover 69% of the total beel area, while
76% (± 1.97) of the total beel area is seasonal, periodically
Rivers 21 709 3300
drying out during the dry season. In addition to percol-
Beels 93 2227 9164
ation and evaporative losses, a considerable volume of
Floodplain – – 22 369
water is utilized for irrigation, while smaller residual water
Ponds 12 817 2293 2617
volumes are drained for ‘mud-fishing’. About 11% of the
Borrow pits 214 – 50
beels completely dried up during this study. The mean
Total 5229 37 500
depths of the beels were 0.59 ± 0.05 m and 3.90 ± 0.08 m
Source: This study; Upazila Fisheries Offices (2006). during the dry and monsoon seasons, respectively.

Table 3. Distribution of rivers in Chalan beel, illustrating water area and depth during dry and monsoon seasons

Water area (ha) Water depth (m)

Name of river Nature of river Dry season Monsoon Dry season Monsoon

Gur Large 302 1875 1.22 5.49

Baral Large 163 518 0.91 4.57
Gohala Large 16 68 1.83 9.14
Koratoa Large 16 134 1.83 6.10
Barnoi Medium 16 25 1.52 4.88
Nagor Medium 17 48 1.52 4.88
Bangonga Medium 17 54 1.22 6.10
Vadrabati Medium 37 70 0.61 4.88
Nandakuza Medium 40 160 0.91 4.57
Khubjipur Small 15 40 0.91 4.57
Beshani Small 8 20 0.91 4.57
Vadai Small 15 52 1.22 5.49
Godai Small 10 36 0.91 4.88
Fulzor Small 8 20 1.83 6.10
Muktahar Small 6 10 1.52 4.88
Ischamoti Small 1 102 0.30 6.10
Shutkidah Small 2 15 0.61 3.66
Shalika Small 4 19 0.91 4.27
Katagang Small 6 12 0.61 4.57
Tulshi Small 4 9 0.91 4.57
Chechua Small 6 13 0.91 4.57
Total 709 3300

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8 M. A. R. Hossain et al.

Ecology and characteristics of Chalan beel The fishers

The limnological parameters of the Chalan beel represent The number of fishers in the Chalan beel declined by 58%
typical tropical conditions, although the winters are between 1982 and 2006 (Table 6), either as a result of
relatively cool (Hossain 2005). The mean annual ranges of migration, or adoption of alternative professions. There
these parameters are as follows: (i) water temperature are currently 75 000 professional and subsistence fishers
(11.5–40 °C); (ii) air temperature (8–40 °C); (iii) water in the Chalan beel area. In fishing households, almost
transparency (18–55 cm); (iv) pH (7.2–8.5); (v) dissolved every family member engages in fishing activities during
oxygen concentration (5.1–9.6 p.p.m.); (vi) free carbon the monsoon season, if not commercially, then for house-
dioxide (1.3–12.3 p.p.m.); (vii) carbonate alkalinity (8.3– hold consumption. The average size of professional fishing
15 p.p.m.), and (viii) bicarbonate alkalinity (82–117 p.p.m.). households is five persons, and the mean annual income is
The mean annual precipitation was 1508 mm over the BDT 42 372 (1 US$ = BDT 70), respectively. There are 112
2-year study period. The watershed characteristics, fisher cooperative societies in the beel area, although they
especially soil quality and depth, land use, and presence or have become less active over time, as a result of declining
absence of connecting canals between the river and beels, fish availability, falling incomes and inadequate management
greatly influence the productivity of the beel (Biswas & of government-managed jolmohals. The latter are literally
Boruah 2000). Rivers, floodplains, beels and ponds constitute ‘water-estates’, or seasonally closed waterbodies, including
distinct habitat types in the Chalan beel, as they do in river sections and beels (and their fisheries). Despite a
other floodplains in Bangladesh (Craig et al. 2004). The 1997 leasing policy designed to favour marginal groups
characteristics of the main habitat types, and their current (e.g. fishermen), these are typically leased to more
management systems, are illustrated in Table 5. All the affluent middlemen with monetary capital and political
rivers and most perennial beels are owned by the government influence. The short-term nature of the leases also favours
which, if not formally leased-out, can theoretically be extractive management practices that are not consistent
fished by anyone throughout the year. In contrast, the with sustainable maintenance of biodiversity and sustainable
floodplain lands and ponds are privately owned. During fisheries, with professional fishers often being further
inundation, however, floodplains also become open-access marginalized as a result. Many have resorted to indiscri-
resources for fishing. When most of the beels and minately harvesting eggs, spawns, fry, undersized fish and
floodplains dry up, several large rivers retain deeper pools. brood-stocks, thereby further depleting fish stocks in the
Most owners drain their ponds (kuas) late in the dry beel area. Finding alternative livelihoods is a difficult task
season in order to harvest the remaining fish. There is in a poverty-stricken country like Bangladesh, particularly
almost no aquaculture in the rivers, beels and floodplain, for professional fishers, who are typically unskilled in
although pond owners culture carps (both India major and other professions (notably agriculture), thereby making it
Chinese) over the 6- to 9-month period when the grow-out difficult to sell their labour.
conditions are optimal. Professional and subsistence
fishers catch fish throughout the year from rivers and beel, Fishing methods
while other villagers mainly catch fish from the floodplain Diverse fishing gears and traps are used by seasonal,
during the monsoon season. subsistence and professional fishers. The major gears

Fig. 3. Comparison of river area (expressed as percentage of maximum waterspread) between monsoon (100%) and dry seasons, 2005–
2006.

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The Chalan beel in Bangladesh 9

Table 4. Seasonal hydrological characteristics of subordinate beels within Chalan beel

Water area (ha) Water depth (m)

Name of beel Category Upazila Dry season Monsoon season Dry season Monsoon season

Kawatikri ML Singra 8 20 1.22 3.05

Dahia M Singra 5 19 0.61 2.74
Padmagari S Singra 0.5 17 0.61 2.74
Satpukuria M Singra 5 10 0.91 3.05
Telegram ML Singra 9 38 0.91 3.05
Chalan L Gurudaspur 263 950 1.22 3.66
Chakol Tengorgari L Gurudaspur 40.5 112 0.91 2.13
Hari bhanga L Gurudaspur 10.5 30.75 0.61 2.44
Chawaldah ML Chatmohar 10 75 0.30 3.05
Khalishagari L Chatmohar 37 100 0.61 3.05
Afra L Chatmohar 71 200 0.30 3.05
Nimaichara L Chatmohar 21 120 0.30 3.66
Dangapara L Chatmohar 87 231 0.30 3.66
Piprul L Chatmohar 91 357 2.44 4.27
Kuralia L Chatmohar 123 571 0.91 5.18
Chiral ML Chatmohar 6 143 0.61 4.57
Dikshi L Chatmohar 187 723 0.91 4.88
Gurka M Chatmohar 2 127 0.00 3.66
Chaianir S Chatmohar 0 52 0.00 3.96
Kukragari S Chatmohar 1 40 0.30 3.66
Kazirnala S Chatmohar 0.5 50 0.30 3.05
Naldanga S Chatmohar 0 90 0.00 3.66
Dhoroil S Chatmohar 0 40 0.00 3.05
Nabin Sutijala M Chatmohar 2.87 22 0.00 3.66
Gair beel ML Chatmohar 8.5 60 0.15 4.27
Kenusarkerer Jala L Chatmohar 10.3 70 0.15 3.05
Kuralia ML Chatmohar 6.68 68 0.46 4.57
Ruhul L Chatmohar 43.76 150 0.30 3.05
Sheuli L Vangura 112 300 0.30 3.66
Bamungi L Vangura 81 200 0.30 3.66
Telkupi ML Vangura 8 80 0.30 4.57
Madhbila M Vangura 3 40 0.30 3.66
Dighapatia M Vangura 5 75 0.46 3.66
Chotobishakol L Vangura 21.61 89 0.30 3.66
Kadorer S Vangura 0 60 0.30 3.96
Patiar M Vangura 1.6 50 0.30 3.66
Pakar S Vangura 0 81 0.30 3.96
Photikar S Vangura 0 40 0.46 3.96
Dhorbila L Vangura 211.6 607.2 0.30 3.96
Aduri M Vangura 2 202 0.30 3.66
Bamon S Vangura 0.8 121 0.30 3.66
Pastia L Vangura 21 80.97 0.30 3.66
Boro S Vangura 0 81 0.30 3.66
Hatigara S Vangura 0 61 0.46 3.96
Poal S Vangura 0 30 0.46 3.66
Naluar S Vangura 0 40 0.30 3.66
Gajna M Faridpur 2 20 1.22 2.44
Bara L Faridpur 389 1126 1.22 4.88

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10 M. A. R. Hossain et al.

Table 4. Continued.

Water area (ha) Water depth (m)

Name of beel Category Upazila Dry season Monsoon season Dry season Monsoon season

Chorkadai ML Shahjadpur 8 34.33 1.83 4.57

Kadai S Shahjadpur 0.5 1.63 1.22 3.96
Prandah ML Shahjadpur 10 40 1.83 4.27
Mathabhanga M Shahjadpur 3 7 1.52 4.27
Karpasha ML Shahjadpur 8.75 36 1.83 3.66
Choubaria ML Shahjadpur 10 39 1.52 3.96
Bogai ML Shahjadpur 7 30.78 1.52 4.27
Koizuri L Shahjadpur 11 42.1 1.52 4.57
Purul ML Ullapara 6 26.72 0.91 3.96
Kholia ML Ullapara 10 33.4 0.61 3.05
Garabari M Ullapara 4 33.66 0.61 5.49
Gazaria M Ullapara 2 33.66 0.61 3.96
Dhoroil L Ullapara 53.4 133.6 0.61 6.10
Bagmara ML Ullapara 10 80 0.30 3.66
Chakmehadi M Ullapara 3 6.6 0.00 3.66
Modhukola M Ullapara 1.5 4 0.00 3.66
Atharopakhi L Ullapara 13.13 36 0.61 4.57
Natagari L Ullapara 13 24 0.61 3.96
Kubi S Ullapara 1 19 0.00 3.05
Shoula M Ullapara 4 6 0.30 3.05
Chenta M Ullapara 4 6.6 0.30 3.66
Chokchokila M Ullapara 3 6 0.00 3.05
Chila M Ullapara 4 8 0.30 3.66
Koira M Ullapara 4 6 0.61 4.27
Kharua S Ullapara 1 17 0.61 4.88
Kuchulia M Ullapara 5 53 0.30 4.27
Matikata M Ullapara 4 42 0.30 5.18
Suklai ML Ullapara 10 22 0.61 5.49
Sarutia L Raigonj 12 27 0.30 4.57
Damrai ML Raigonj 10 18 0.91 5.18
Nizhuri ML Raigonj 7 15 0.61 4.57
Debraz M Raigonj 5 12 0.91 5.49
Lakmikutub L Raigonj 18 32 0.61 4.27
Kurta M Raigonj 5 47 0.91 4.57
Gotitha L Raigonj 15 28 1.22 5.49
Kurta Khari M Raigonj 2 19 0.30 3.66
Nangolmora S Raigonj 1 5 0.30 3.05
Mordia M Raigonj 6 67 0.30 3.66
Gorkha Kali S Raigonj 1 12 0.30 3.05
Dostpara ML Raigonj 6 57 0.61 4.27
Dholzan M Raigonj 4 41 0.61 4.57
Thakri M Raigonj 3 10 0.61 3.66
Dhudil Uttarpara M Raigonj 2 24 0.30 4.27
Choudhuri Gughat M Raigonj 3 16 0.61 4.88
Betua M Raigonj 4 36 0.91 4.27
Total 2227 9164

L, large (>10 ha) considering dry season area; M, medium (>1 to 5 ha); ML, medium large (>5 to 10 ha); S, small (0–1 ha).

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 The Chalan beel in Bangladesh
Table 5. Principal management characteristics of Chalan beel habitats

Variable Rivers Beels Floodplains Ponds

Property rights/ownership Everybody has rights to fishing, but About 25–30% is private; many were Mostly private, but anyone Mostly private;
designated jolmohals have been leased converted into crop lands. Public beels have can fish in the fishing season few are public
through existing government leasing policy been leased through existing government
leasing policy
Aquatic vegetation Aquatic vegetations in shallow water (if Water hyacinths – dominant aquatic weeds Aquatic weeds available Almost free from aquatic weeds
any), and floating weeds from upstream during flood
Water retention situation Almost all rivers are dried at post monsoon Maximum are dried up, except deeper part Water exists only 3–4 months, Mostly perennial; few seasonal
season, except for few large rivers (15–18% of the total) area dependent on degree of flood household kuas
(Gumani, Baral, etc.)
Aquaculture No aquaculture, except extensive carp No aquaculture No aquaculture Stocking based polyculture
culture in a leased portion of Baral River practice in shallow ponds; wild
fish with minimum management
kept in deeper ponds (kua), and
harvested in late dry season
© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

Fishing Both professional and subsistence fishermen Both professional and subsistence fishermen Professional and subsistence Pond owners harvest fish for
use various gears; catching fish through use various gears, including full drying up of fishermen and villagers use household consumption, and at
drying the waterbody also common waterbody various gears end of culture period, for selling

11
12 M. A. R. Hossain et al.

Table 6. Changes in number of fishermen in Chalan beel, 1982– used in this area include set bag nets, seine nets, gill nets,
2006 cast nets and different types of traps. Dimensions,
deployment patterns and the area covered by gears are
Year quite variable. Individually operated and non-commercial
gears include gill nets, cast nets and traps. The commercial
Fisher category 1982 1992 2002 2006
gears include seine nets and set bag nets operated by
Professional 53 446 46 534 33 445 22 316 five to seven and seven to nine professional fishers,
Subsistence 123 615 106 335 73 612 52 684 respectively. Mesh sizes of the cast, seine, set bag and gills
Total 177 061 152 869 107 057 75 000 net were >10, 3–15, 5–45 and 25–150 mm, respectively
(Table 7).
Source: This study; Upazila Fisheries Offices (2006).
The efficiency (kg.h–1.gear–1. person–1) of the five most
common fishing gears in the Chalan beel in 2005 and

Table 7. Type of fishing gears and period of operation in Chalan beel

Category Type of gear Name of gear Main habitat type Mesh size (mm) Target species Period

Fish nets Set bag net Suti jal BR 5–45 All Sept–Nov
Seine net Ber/Badai/moshari jal FBR 3–10 All May–Oct
Kochal jal FBR 10–15 All May–Oct
Gill net Punti jal BF 25–50 Puti May–Nov
Koi jal BRF 32–45 Koi May–Nov
Fash jal FBR 45–150 All May–Nov
Cast net Jhaki/khepla jal R ≥10 All Year round
Lift net Veshal jal (Khora) FBR ≥5 All July–Nov
Dharma jal FBR 5–12 All July–Sept
Drag net Moi jal RF 4–6 Small prawns July–August
Push net Thela jal RB 5–15 All July–Dec
Fish traps Britti BF 5–10 SIS May–Dec
Khadum RF 15–25 SIS May–Dec
Dhohair RB 5–15 SIS May–Dec
Bhair BF 25–35 SIS May–Dec
Khulsane BF 2–5 SIS May–Dec
Ucha RB – SIS May–Dec
Polo B – Large fish Dec–Jan
Chai FB – SIS May–Dec
Hogra RF – SIS May–Dec
Hook and line Chip borshi FB – Carnivores July–Dec
Boro borshi FB – Carnivores July–Dec
Boallah borshi RB – Carnivores July–Dec
Daun RBF – Carnivores July–Dec
Wounding gears Juti RB – All July–Dec
Koch FB – All June–Feb
Teta FB – All June–Feb
Ekkata FB – All June–Feb
Katha RB – All Nov–Jan
Fish aggregating device Katha RB – All Nov–Jan
Kua B – All Dec–Apr

B, beel; F, floodplain; R, river.

All, all types of large and small fish; Carnivore, mostly catfish, snakeheads and eels; Koi, climbing perch (Anabas testudineus); Large fish,
fish >25 cm total length; SIS, small indigenous species of fish <25 cm total length at maturity.

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

The Chalan beel in Bangladesh 13

2006 is illustrated in Fig. 4. The efficiency levels were 2006. A decreasing trend was observed in the variability of
significantly lower in 2006 than 2005, with the efficiency of five species in the Gumani River (Amblypharyngodon mola;
set-bag nets being the highest among the gears used in Clupisoma garua; Chela cachius; Glossogobius giuris; Ailia
the Chalan beel. Significant (P < 0.05) variations among coila), five in the Baral River (punti; chanda; Botia dario;
months and between years were observed when all three Clupisoma garua; Glossogobius giuris), and six in the
sample sites were compared together (Table 8). There was Katagang River (chanda; Chela cachius; Mystus vittatus;
no significant (P > 0.05) interaction, however, between Botia dario; Clupisoma garua; Glossogobius giuris). On the
the combinations of the three fixed factors (i.e. sample other hand, the variability of a few species at all three sites
location, months, years). increased.
The 10 most abundant fish species were investigated in
Fish biodiversity greater detail regarding changes in abundance between
A total of 72 triplicate sampling episodes yielded 9818 sample sites, and months and years (Table 11). All 10
individuals, representing 114 species from 29 families species illustrated a significant (P < 0.001) catch variation
(Table 9). The most abundant fish species groups were between two years. Mystus vittatus, Amblypharyngodon mola
punti (Puntius sophore and Puntius ticto), followed by and Chela cachius demonstrated a significant (P < 0.01)
chanda (Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga). The third variation in abundance between months. The abundance of
most abundant species was tengra (Mystus vittatus) in the Gudusia chapra, Amblypharyngodon mola, Chela cachius
Gumani River and chapila (Gudusia chapra) in the Baral and Glossogobius giuris varied significantly between sample
and Katagang Rivers (Table 10). The variability (CVw) of sites. Most of the abundant species did not exhibit any
several species illustrated a decreasing trend from 2005 to significant (P > 0.05) interactions when the three factors
were considered together.
Many valuable indigenous fish species that were once
available in large volumes are currently under threat and
severely depleted from the Chalan beel area. This survey
indicated that the following species could be threatened:
Rhinomugil corsula, Tenualosa ilisha, Puntius sarana, Rita
rita, Ompok pabda, Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei, Labeo
calbasu, Labeo gonius, Puntius chola, Chelonodon patoca,
Tetraodon cutcutia, Setipinna phasa, Chitala chitala, Ompok
bimaculatus, Pangasius pangasius, Eutropiichthys vacha,
Sperata aor, Gagata youssoufi, and Labeo boga. Conversely, all
the exotic carps, including silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys
molitrix), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), grass carp
(Ctenopharyngodon idella), and bighead carp (Aristichthys
Fig. 4. Gear efficiency (kg. gear–1. h–1. person–1) of the five most- nobilis), commonly used in pond polyculture systems
used gears in Chalan beel, 2005–2006. through Bangladesh were relatively common in the beel area.

Table 8. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of effect of year, month, sample location and interaction on fish catch with five commonly used gear
in Chalan beel, 2005–2006

Sample sites Source of variation d.f. Sum of squares Mean square F

All sample sites Year 1 4.24 4.24 4.010*

Month 5 14.68 2.94 2.780*
Sample sites 2 5.02 2.51 2.375
Year × month 5 1.81 0.36 0.343
Year × sample sites 2 0.14 0.07 0.067
Month × sample sites 10 4.77 0.48 0.452
Year × month × sample sites 10 2.04 0.20 0.193

*P < 0.05.
d.f., degrees of freedom.

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

14 M. A. R. Hossain et al.

Table 9. Fish species occurrence in Chalan beel

Family Species Family Species

Anguillidae Anguilla bengalensis bengalensis Bagridae Batasio batasio

Congresox talabon Batasio tengana
Ophichthidae Pisodonophis boro Hemibagrus menoda
Notopteridae Chitala chitala Mystus armatus
Notopterus notopterus Mystus bleekeri
Clupeidae Gonialosa manmina Mystus cavasius
Gudusia chapra Mystus tengara
Tenualosa ilisha Mystus vittatus
Engraulidae Setipinna phasa Rama chandramara
Setipinna taty Rita rita
Balitoridae Acanthocobitis botia Sperata aor
Cobitidae Botia dario Sperata seenghala
Botia dayi Chacidae Chaca chaca
Botia lohachata Clarias batrachus
Botia rostrata Heteropneustidae Heteropneustes fossilis
Lepidocephalichthys guntea Pangasidae Pangasius pangasius
Somileptus gongota Schilbeidae Ailia coila
Cyprinidae Amblypharyngodon mola Ailichthys punctata
Aspidoparia jaya Clupisoma garua
Aspidoparia morar Eutropiichthys vacha
Chagunius chagunio Neotropius atherinoides
Chela cachius Silonia silondia
Chela laubuca Siluridae Ompok bimaculatus
Salmostoma acinaces Ompok pabda
Salmostoma bacaila Ompok pabo
Salmostoma phulo Wallago attu
Securicula gora Bagarius bagarius
Danio rerio Gagata cenia
Esomus danricus Gagata gagata
Rasbora daniconius Gagata youssoufi
Megarasbora elanga Gogangra viridescens
Catla catla Parachiloglanis hodgarti
Cirrhinus cirrhosus Aplocheilidae Aplocheilus panchax panchax
Labeo ariza Synbranchidae Monopterus cuchia
Labeo bata Mastacembelidae Mastacembelus armatus
Labeo boga Macrognathus aculeatus
Labeo calbasu Macrognathus pancalus
Labeo gonius Ambassidae Chanda nama
Labeo rohita Parambassis ranga
Osteobrama cotio cotio Pseudambassis baculis
Puntius chola Anabas testudineus
Puntius conchonius Anabantidae Badis badis
Puntius gelius Channidae Channa gachua
Puntius phutunio Channa marulius
Puntius sarana Channa punctata
Puntius sophore Channa striata
Puntius ticto Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

The Chalan beel in Bangladesh 15

Table 9. Continued.

Family Species Family Species

Poropuntius clavatus Mugilidae Rhinomugil corsula

Raiamas bola Sicamugil cascasia
Psilorhyncidae Psilorhynchus sucatio Nandidae Nandus nandus
Erethistidae Conta conta Osphronemidae Colisa lalia
Erethistes hara Polyacanthus fasciatus
Erethistes jerdoni Trichogaster chuna
Erethistoides infuscatus Belonidae Xenentodon cancila
Pseudolaguvia shawi Hemiramphidae Hyporhamphus limbatus
Pseudolaguvia inornata Tetraodontidae Chelonodon patoca
Pseudolaguvia murikata Tetraodon cutcutia

Fish production resident spawners are also affected by overexploitation

The total recorded fish production from the Chalan beel and draining of seasonal waterbodies for other purposes,
production was 12 217 tonnes in 2006, being comprised contributing to the overall low abundance of many species.
of 740, 3553, 4024 and 3900 tonnes from rivers, beels,
floodplains and ponds and borrow pits, respectively Impacts of different factors on Chalan
(Table 12). The corresponding productivity estimates beel fisheries
were 224, 387 and 179 kg–1.ha–1, respectively, in river, beel Gradual habitat degradation and overexploitation are key
and floodplains. The total fish production in Chalan beel drivers of biodiversity degradation and declining aquatic
declined by 55% in 2006, compared to the production in production in Chalan beel. Habitat degradation results
1982 (Fig. 5). Karim (2003) suggested that the production from increased siltation rates, construction of flood control
of the Chalan beel could be increased to 45 000 tonnes if embankments and roads, uncontrolled use of pesticides,
basic management practices were followed (e.g. proper insecticides and chemical fertilizers on croplands, excessive
execution of fish act; establishment of fish sanctuaries; removal of surface water and extraction of groundwater for
maintaining minimum water depths in the dry season). irrigation, diversion of water courses, unregulated discharge
The abundance and production of fish species are tightly of untreated industrial and aquafarms effluents, fish
bound to the flooding pattern during the monsoon season harvesting by dewatering, etc. These factors, which also
(Ahmed 1991). The yearly inundation connects all the contribute to already significant reductions in the areal
aquatic areas into one large production system for up to 4– extent of Chalan beel, are pushing many indigenous species to
5 months (June to July). Fish migrate upstream from the the verge of extinction (Shahnaz 2005). As a result of the
Jamuna River to the Chalan beel through the Baral and lack of a proper flood action plan, several Chalan beel
Gumani Rivers when inundation commences in the restoration projects have exhibited little positive impact.
pre-monsoon period. The Chalan beel then serves as an The width of the embankments often has been narrowed,
excellent feeding and nursing ground for many important subjecting them to periodic breaching, while the siting of
indigenous fish species. Overfishing of brood fish within sluice gates and other water management structures has
the rivers, however, restricts upstream migration to the been poorly planned, and their installation poorly executed.
Chalan beel area during the key months of April to July. In Despite these problems, the Chalan beel still constitutes
addition, during the late monsoon (September to October), ≈18% of the country’s total beel area.
when the flood waters recede, fishermen indiscriminately Most of the literal and floodplains areas are cultivated
harvest fish of all sizes using non-selective suti jal gears, with rice and other crops, providing multiple annual
thereby reducing returns to the Jamuna River. Other harvests. Thus, government policy has always prioritized
anthropological effects, including construction of roads, cereal food production functions. Consequently, most
dams, embankments and human settlements, also obstruct development initiatives in the Chalan beel have focused on
migratory routes, causing other adverse affects on the crop cultures, rather than biological management of this rich
aquatic ecosystems. Thus, the recruitment of migratory floodplain system for fish production, ignoring the needs
species in the beels is adversely affected. Non-migratory of poorer people for access to renewable protein sources.

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

16 M. A. R. Hossain et al.

Management implications restoration, biodiversity conservation, as well as increased

Although much of the damage to the habitat and fish production, are discussed below:
biodiversity of the Chalan beel over recent decades is likely • Modifying existing infrastructure to fish-friendly
to be irreversible, it has been estimated that three to four structures
times more fish production annually could be ensured Unplanned construction of bridges, culverts, sluice
if the existing water areas were brought under proper gates, flood control embankments, etc., has disrupted the
management. Suggestions solicited by the stakeholders spawning, breeding and feeding migration of fish and
most dependent on the resource in relation to habitat other aquatic animals. Fish-friendly migration routes should

Table 10. Mean number of individual per kg fish catch (Dw) and coefficient of variation (CVw) within each year, and interannual mean
number of individual per kg fish catch (Da) and coefficient of variation (CVa) among years for most abundant species in Chalan beel

2005 2006 Among years

Species† Dw CVw Dw CVw Da CVa

The Gumani
Punti (Puntius sophore and Puntius ticto) 19.33 20.02 13.33 28.85 16.33 29.76
Chanda (Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga) 13.5 22.44 16 32.42 14.75 29.46
Mystus vittatus 13 32.47 7.25 53.94 10.12 48.87
Polyacanthus fasciatus 12.42 27.78 7.67 70.83 10.04 50.49
Gudusia chapra 12.5 28.64 6.58 35.17 6.58 35.17
Amblypharyngodon mola 9.25 65.05 3.17 59.91 6.21 86.26
Clupisoma garua 4.58 49.67 5.92 46.39 5.25 48.72
Chela cachius 6.67 90.48 3.5 65.03 5.08 93.41
Glossogobius giuris 2.25 150.98 6.08 55.23 4.17 80.53
Ailia coila 3.33 90.84 3.25 58.86 3.29 75.08
The Baral
Punti (Puntius sophore and Puntius ticto) 19.77 18.94 11.58 20.32 15.84 32.79
Chanda (Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga) 14.33 24.05 16.58 14.87 15.46 20.36
Gudusia chapra 14.33 22.53 13.25 23.68 13.79 22.93
Polyacanthus fasciatus 13.67 28.65 9.83 31.23 11.75 33.69
Chela cachius 11.67 34.92 11.12 36.65 11.67 34.15
Amblypharyngodon mola 13.25 28.81 9.17 50.04 11.21 41.26
Mystus vittatus 13.83 18.45 8.33 42.32 11.08 37.16
Botia dario 3.33 80.30 10.42 47.45 6.88 77.18
Clupisoma garua 4.83 60.41 5.92 42.28 5.38 50.48
Glossogobius giuris 2.33 111.80 5.25 54.55 3.79 80.84
The Katagang
Punti (Puntius sophore and Puntius ticto) 21.45 21.90 12.50 26.54 16.78 35.98
Chanda (Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga) 15.17 28.64 17.42 22.09 16.29 25.63
Gudusia chapra 14.42 22.41 13.00 25.62 13.71 24.00
Polyacanthus fasciatus 14.67 28.08 10.42 28.78 12.54 33.01
Amblypharyngodon mola 13.17 25.25 7.92 38.62 10.54 39.07
Chela cachius 11.42 29.03 9.17 26.64 10.29 29.84
Mystus vittatus 10.17 54.47 10.25 43.05 10.21 47.98
Botia dario 1.67 153.89 9.67 38.27 5.67 90.63
Clupisoma garua 4.33 52.42 5.83 32.57 5.08 43.01
Glossogobius giuris 2.83 80.92 3.25 82.06 3.04 80.26

†Species are arranged from top to bottom in descending order according to their contribution to the average.

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

The Chalan beel in Bangladesh 17

be maintained to minimize adverse impacts on fishery pesticides and fertilizers could be used to some extent, rather
resources. Halls (2005) suggested that survival of juvenile than the high-yielding varieties. As a minimum, this approach
and larval fish under different hydrological conditions could be strategically encouraged in the most sensitive water
should be formally considered in managing and operating run-off areas. Primary treatment facilities for industrial
the sluice gates, in order to ensure optimal hydrological effluents at the point of outlet also should be introduced.
timing, duration and flow characteristics for attracting and • Maintenance of minimum water depth during water
ensuring the passage of these life stages. extractions from critical waterbodies
• Rational use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, Water abstraction from the beels and channels for
and proper management of industrial effluents irrigation during the dry season should be discouraged
Integrated pest management programme (IPM) programmes where feasible, or otherwise regulated. The complete
could help minimize the environmental effects of these removal of fish by dewatering during the dry season should
chemicals. Furthermore, cost–benefit analysis should be be banned, and a minimum of 1 m water depth should be
conducted to assess whether or not cultivation of low-input maintained in the main basins through regulation and
local crop varieties that require smaller quantities of water transfers, where necessary.

Fig. 5. Fish production trends in Chalan beel, 1982–2006.

Table 11. ANOVA on effects of month, year and sample location for 10 most abundant species identified in Chalan beel (species listed in
order of average abundance per sample fish)

Source of variation

Species Month (M) Year (Y) Area (C) M×Y M×C Y×C M×Y×C

Punti (Puntius sophore and Puntius ticto) 1.95 76.70*** 0.87 0.00 0.17 1.02 1.22
Chanda (Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga) 0.06 6.39* 0.93 0.06 1.06 0.01 0.33
Gudusia chapra 1.69 14.07*** 14.07*** 0.07 0.82 4.34* 1.07
Polyacanthus fasciatus 0.73 22.20*** 2.64 0.00 1.38 0.09 2.41
Mystus vittatus 4.06* 17.79*** 0.48 6.99** 2.55 4.66* 2.04
Amblypharyngodon mola 8.02** 34.65*** 12.89*** 0.05 1.96 0.44 2.43
Chela cachius 5.41* 5.41* 25.57*** 3.64 7.24** 1.23 2.23
Clupisoma garua 0.80 12.21*** 1.02 0.01 0.54 0.60 1.19
Glossogobiuus giuris 0.14 9.98** 3.50* 0.29 2.83 2.42 0.97
Botia dario 1.64 5.72** 1.02 2.97 3.32* 4.31* 0.67

*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

18 M. A. R. Hossain et al.

• Regulation of selective fish gears, mesh sizes, and practices, which simply promote short-term revenue
fishing dewatering maximization.
Overfishing and undersized fishing, use of illegal gear • Strict application of existing fisheries rules and
(The Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950 regulations
violations), and indiscriminate killing of brood and fish Existing government rules and regulations for open-water
seeds by illegal fishing gears should be stopped. Minimum fisheries management are often neglected. Thus, their
mesh size regulations for different gears must be better improved enforcement is urgently needed.
enforced to reduce juvenile mortality. Use of monofilament Finally, it is imperative that efforts be undertaken to
nets in any season should be strictly prohibited. develop ecosystem-based management strategies for this
• Establishment of natural beel nurseries and fish important waterbody. These strategies must be developed
sanctuaries with input from scientists, resource managers, policy-
Community-based fish sanctuaries should be established makers, government and non-government organizations
in important areas throughout the Chalan beel. Some and other relevant stakeholders, with the objectives of
sanctuaries should be made permanent so that nobody can enhancing production, maintaining biodiversity in a
catch fish, while others should be open for catching fish sustainable manner and improving the livelihoods of the
in alternative years. remaining, highly marginal fishermen in this region.
• Stock enhancement programmes
As the standing stock of the Chalan beel is seriously depleted, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
an annual stock enhancement programme should be We wish to acknowledge the Upazila Fisheries Officers
undertaken, being based on the experience of previously (UFO), Upazila Agriculture Officers (UAO) and other
successful enhancement programme in the 1990s. A number stakeholders for their sincere cooperation and assistance
of species performed very well in floodplain stock in this research. Thanks also are given to Dr Francis
enhancement programmes, including rui, catla, mrigal, Murray, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, UK,
kalibaus, silver carp, common carp and Thai sarpunti (Ali for improving the English, and helping to rewrite some
& Islam 1998). These species can be stocked in Chalan beel portion of this manuscript.
to maintain a sustainable year-round standing biomass.
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