Bangladesh’s interim government said it would export 3,000 tonnes of hilsa fish (Tenualosa ilisha) to India coinciding with the upcoming Durga Puja, revising its earlier decision.
- The development comes days after the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, earlier imposed a ban on hilsa export to India to meet domestic demand, discontinuing a long-standing tradition of Bangladesh as a “goodwill gesture” to its neighbour.
- The previous Awami League government led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had allowed Hilsa exports to India between September and October every year as a goodwill gesture, a tradition that had been nurtured for years.
- Bangladesh in 2023 had allowed 79 companies to export a total of 4,000 tonnes to India, coinciding with the Durga Puja.
About Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha)
- Bangladesh is the world’s largest Hilsa or Ilish producer, but it restricts the export of the fish due to high local demand. However, during the Durga Puja festival, it usually relaxes the ban on the export of the fish, which is a much sought-after delicacy of Bengalis.
- Ilish is not only considered auspicious but also the national fish of Bangladesh, apart from its importance in West Bengal during Durga Puja.
- The Hilsa fish, also called Ilish, holds an exceptional position in culinary customs and social practices of Bengal.
- This fish generally holds an exceptional spot in Bengali culture and is even viewed as the state fish of West Bengal.
- Ilish is also the national fish of Bangladesh.
- It is said that the ilish from Padma river in Bangladesh is the tastiest of all varieties of fish.
