Spawning Triggered by Natural Conditions

In the final week of May 2025, on a dark new moon night marked by heavy thunder and rain, the Halda once again came alive. The extraordinary process of egg-laying began across the river.

According to Dr. Manzurul Kibria, noted Halda researcher and former chairman of the Department of Zoology at the University of Chittagong:
“During the new moon and full moon phases, heavy rain accompanied by thunder triggers flash floods in the river. That’s when the mother fish spawn. This year too, the cycle continues as expected.

 A Festive Atmosphere of Egg Collection

On the night of Thursday, May 29, 2025, both banks of the river lit up with excitement. Hundreds of boats floated out onto the Halda as local fishers scrambled to collect the precious eggs. As the fertilized eggs drifted in the current, they were swiftly scooped up and preserved for future fish farming.

 A Globally Rare Natural Breeding Ground

The Halda River is not just a waterway; it is a living gene bank. Among the very few rivers in the world where natural spawning of major carp species still occurs and the eggs are directly collected by humans, Halda stands out as an ecological treasure. It is not only a national heritage of Bangladesh but a rare and valuable asset for South Asian fisheries science.

 The Urgency of Conservation

To ensure this natural wonder continues into the future, it is critical to protect the river’s ecosystem. Steps must be taken to prevent pollution from industrial waste and plastic, and to ensure the safe migration of breeding mother fish.