Legal notice seeks to stop ilish export to India

A legal notice has been sent in protest against the government's permission to export 3,000 tons of ilish fish to India.

The notice demands that measures be taken to stop the export of ilish to India.

The notice names the secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, the secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the chairman of the National Board of Revenue, and the chief controller of Imports and Exports as defendants.

The notice was sent by Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan on Sunday.

The notice says that ilish is a marine fish found in various countries including Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. When ilish moves from the sea to rivers, especially the Padma River in Bangladesh, it becomes particularly delicious. For this reason, Padma ilish is more popular and tastier than marine ilish.

Furthermore, the notice highlights that India has a vast and extensive maritime boundary and produces a significant amount of ilish within its waters. Considering this, there is no need for India to import ilish fish from Bangladesh.

However, India mainly imports ilish from the Padma River in Bangladesh.

Throughout the year, Indian agents and fish exporters stockpile Padma ilish and export all of it to India with the permission of the Bangladesh and, in some cases, smuggle it across the border.

As a result of all Padma ilish being exported and smuggled to India, the people of Bangladesh do not find Padma ilish in their markets.

Later, the people of Bangladesh have to consume marine ilish, which is not as tasty as Padma ilish, it added.