Bangladesh Durga Puja: The Bangladesh government has officially confirmed that no hilsa (Padmar ilish) will be exported to India during this year’s Durga Puja festival. The hilsa is considered to be one of the best varieties of fish in the world and plays a crucial role in Bengali culture. 

Hilsa fish is considered significant for holy sacrifice in the region, symbolising the collective hope for a future filled with luck and happiness. Hilsa, an expensive fish revered for its delicate flavor and rich texture, is widely enjoyed across the Indian subcontinent. However, the hilsa from the Padma River in Bangladesh is considered best in the world. 

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Bangladesh reportedly accounts for a staggering 70 per cent of the global hilsa reserves, making it a critical part of the local economy and cultural heritage. 

The decision not to export Hilsa fish to India comes amid growing concerns about the local availability of ilish fish in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Fisheries Minister Farida Akhter highlighted the urgency of the situation, asserting that the needs of local households must come first. 

“We apologise but we can’t allow Hilsa to go to India. It’s an expensive fish and we notice that our own people are unable to have it as all goes to India and what is left behind is too expensive for our people. We, too, celebrate Durga Puja, our people can also enjoy it here,” the minister told News 18 in an interview. 

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Akhtar also said that the government wants to preserve the ilish breeding on grounds to maintain long-term production sustainability. "Without proper management, production will suffer," she warned. 

Indian fish traders are also expressing their frustration over a recent export ban that has significantly impacted the availability of Padma Hilsa, an expensive fish cherished in India, particularly in West Bengal, Assam, and other regions during Durga Puja.