Hilsa Hits the Roof

Bengal’s dearest fish is getting rarer and dearer. Large-scale illegal catching of young hilsa is a reason why

Hilsa is slowly getting out of reach for most Bengalis. Their beloved sea fish, which migrates upstream through various rivers of the Gangetic delta to spawn, is getting rarer and dearer. This season, hilsas weighing above two kg are for Rs 1,500 -1,600 a kg, while the ones weighing a kilo sell for Rs 500. That’s a five-fold leap in five years. Bengalis have none to blame but their love for the fish, which has led to spiralling demand. Large-scale illegal catching of young hilsa is also to blame.

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Jaideep Mazumdar