Fishing Festival at Burir Bandh in Thakurgaon: A Fusion of Hobby, Disappointment, and Joy
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Fishing Festival at Burir Bandh in Thakurgaon: A Fusion of Hobby, Disappointment, and Joy
**Azahar Raja, Thakurgaon**: The famous Burir Bandh, located between Chilarong and Akcha Unions in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila, hosts an annual fishing festival that has become a major attraction for locals. On Monday, October 14, as soon as the gates of the dam were opened, the festivities began. From 7 PM, people from various regions started gathering around the dam. This year as well, the fishing scene at Burir Bandh transformed into a rare social gathering, filled with excitement.
**Azahar Raja, Thakurgaon**: The famous Burir Bandh, located between Chilarong and Akcha Unions in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila, hosts an annual fishing festival that has become a major attraction for locals. On Monday, October 14, as soon as the gates of the dam were opened, the festivities began. From 7 PM, people from various regions started gathering around the dam. This year as well, the fishing scene at Burir Bandh transformed into a rare social gathering, filled with excitement.
On Tuesday, October 15, a visit to the area revealed that people from nearby villages, as well as from different parts of Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, and Dinajpur districts, had flocked to the banks to participate in this festival. Men, women, children, and elderly—all ages—joined in the celebration. Both men and women were seen with various fishing tools such as drag nets, throw nets, and other traditional fishing equipment like "polo" and "sign nets." Some, without any tools, were trying their hand at fishing barehanded. The festive atmosphere was vibrant along the banks of the Shuk River, with hundreds of people gathering, creating a lively environment.
On Tuesday, October 15, a visit to the area revealed that people from nearby villages, as well as from different parts of Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, and Dinajpur districts, had flocked to the banks to participate in this festival. Men, women, children, and elderly—all ages—joined in the celebration. Both men and women were seen with various fishing tools such as drag nets, throw nets, and other traditional fishing equipment like "polo" and "sign nets." Some, without any tools, were trying their hand at fishing barehanded. The festive atmosphere was vibrant along the banks of the Shuk River, with hundreds of people gathering, creating a lively environment.
However, this year, many participants complained that they weren’t catching enough fish. Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable shortage of native fish species, which many attribute to the use of illegal fishing nets like "current" and "ring" nets. Previously, the dam was abundant with native fish, but now such catches are becoming rare, locals lamented.
However, this year, many participants complained that they weren’t catching enough fish. Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable shortage of native fish species, which many attribute to the use of illegal fishing nets like "current" and "ring" nets. Previously, the dam was abundant with native fish, but now such catches are becoming rare, locals lamented.
Both buyers and fishermen voiced their concerns over the scarcity of fish. Tariq Islam, who came from the city to buy fish, said, "Our family prefers native fish, so I came early to buy some fresh fish. But I found there’s hardly any fish, and whatever is available is quite expensive." Meanwhile, itinerant cloth vendor Shahidul Islam added, "Like every year, I came here to fish for fun. But there’s far less fish than in previous years."
Both buyers and fishermen voiced their concerns over the scarcity of fish. Tariq Islam, who came from the city to buy fish, said, "Our family prefers native fish, so I came early to buy some fresh fish. But I found there’s hardly any fish, and whatever is available is quite expensive." Meanwhile, itinerant cloth vendor Shahidul Islam added, "Like every year, I came here to fish for fun. But there’s far less fish than in previous years."
However, the festival is not just about fishing. Around the dam, makeshift stalls selling food, fruits, toys, and cosmetics popped up. People who couldn’t catch fish crowded these stalls. Temporary garages were also set up for parking motorcycles and bicycles, catering to visitors from outside the area.
However, the festival is not just about fishing. Around the dam, makeshift stalls selling food, fruits, toys, and cosmetics popped up. People who couldn’t catch fish crowded these stalls. Temporary garages were also set up for parking motorcycles and bicycles, catering to visitors from outside the area.
The Burir Bandh was constructed by the Bangladesh Water Development Board in the early 1950s to facilitate irrigation for agricultural land. Every year, the Fisheries Department releases fish fingerlings into the dam, which is maintained by the Union Parishads of Akcha and Chilarong. Once the dam’s gates are opened, the fish that flow into the river become part of the local fishing festival, an event that has become a source of joy for the community. However, in recent years, the shortage of fish has dimmed the enthusiasm surrounding the festival.
The Burir Bandh was constructed by the Bangladesh Water Development Board in the early 1950s to facilitate irrigation for agricultural land. Every year, the Fisheries Department releases fish fingerlings into the dam, which is maintained by the Union Parishads of Akcha and Chilarong. Once the dam’s gates are opened, the fish that flow into the river become part of the local fishing festival, an event that has become a source of joy for the community. However, in recent years, the shortage of fish has dimmed the enthusiasm surrounding the festival.
Imran, a fisherman, shared his thoughts, "I come here every year. I enjoy fishing as a hobby. Sometimes, I catch enough to sell. But this year, the fish shortage is a big concern."
Imran, a fisherman, shared his thoughts, "I come here every year. I enjoy fishing as a hobby. Sometimes, I catch enough to sell. But this year, the fish shortage is a big concern."
Local fisherman Alamgir said, "I came early in the morning to fish. Every year, I come here for fun. But this year, there’s hardly any fish. Whatever little I caught, I’m satisfied with it."
Local fisherman Alamgir said, "I came early in the morning to fish. Every year, I come here for fun. But this year, there’s hardly any fish. Whatever little I caught, I’m satisfied with it."
The fishing festival begins with the opening of the dam’s gates and continues for several days. The first day always sees the largest crowds. Despite the shortage of fish, the excitement doesn’t wane. For many, the joy lies in sharing the experience and the thrill of the festival itself.
The fishing festival begins with the opening of the dam’s gates and continues for several days. The first day always sees the largest crowds. Despite the shortage of fish, the excitement doesn’t wane. For many, the joy lies in sharing the experience and the thrill of the festival itself.
In this way, the fishing festival at Burir Bandh has become an important part of the local culture. People from different parts of the country come to take part in this unique event. While the scarcity of fish has somewhat dampened the spirit, the massive turnout, the social gathering, and the love for age-old traditions keep this festival lively and vibrant.
In this way, the fishing festival at Burir Bandh has become an important part of the local culture. People from different parts of the country come to take part in this unique event. While the scarcity of fish has somewhat dampened the spirit, the massive turnout, the social gathering, and the love for age-old traditions keep this festival lively and vibrant.
During the on-site inspection, Thakurgaon District Fisheries Officer Arafat Uddin Ahmed mentioned, “Every year, the Fisheries Department releases fingerlings into Burir Bandh. We do this in July, and by the beginning of winter, after releasing the dam’s water, fishing is made open to the public. This is how the fishing festival at Burir Bandh continues year after year.”
During the on-site inspection, Thakurgaon District Fisheries Officer Arafat Uddin Ahmed mentioned, “Every year, the Fisheries Department releases fingerlings into Burir Bandh. We do this in July, and by the beginning of winter, after releasing the dam’s water, fishing is made open to the public. This is how the fishing festival at Burir Bandh continues year after year.”
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