Introduction:
Kaptai Lake is the largest man made artificial freshwater body in Bangladesh and in the South East Asia .Its total surface area is about 68,800 hectare and average water depth is about 9 meter and maximum depth of 32 meters.It is confined within Rangamati district and embraces the upazilas of Rangamati Sadar,Kaptai ,Nannerchar, Langudu, Baghaichari, Barkal, Jurachari and Belaichari. Since 1965 BFDC(Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation) managed this Lake for fish production.
Fish Diversity in the Kaptai Lake:
There are about 76 species of fish fauna found in Kaptai Lake.Out of 76 species, 68 species are indigenous and 8 species are alien.There are about 42 fish species are commercially harvested from this Lake such as:
- Rui(Labeo rohita)
- Catla(Catla catla)
- Mrigel(Cirrhinus mrigale)
- Black Rohu/Kalbasu(Labeo calbasu)
- Humped Featherback/Chital(Notopterus chitala)
- Gonia(Labeo goinus)
- Shark catfish(Wallago altu)
- Giant Snakehead(Channa marulius)
- Tilapia(Tilapia sp.)
- Indian River Shad/Chapila(Gudusia chapra)
- Ganga River-spart/Keski(Corica soborna)
- Pholi(Notopterus notopterus)
- Bacha(Entropiichthys vacha)
- Baim(Mastacembelus sp.)
- Grass Carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella) etc.
Extincted Fish from Kaptai Lake:
- Tor Mahseer(Tor tor)
- Pabdah Catfish(Ompok pabda)
- Pama(Pama pama)
- Gangetic Hairfin Anchovy(Setipinna phasa)
- Tele Gulusa(Local Name)
- ShadaGhonia(Local Name) etc.
Birds in the Kaptai Lake:Many birds are seen in the Kaptai Lake such as:
- Common Kingfisher(Alcedo atthis)
- White -breasted Waterhen(Amaurornis phoenicurus)
- Common Moorhen(Gallinula chloropus)
- Purple Swamphen(Porphyrio porphyrio)
- Marsh Sandpiper(Tringa stagnatilis)
- Bronje-winged Jacana(Metopidius indicus)
- Little Tern(Sterna albifrons)
- Oriental Dartar(Anhingo melanogaster)
- Great Cormorant(Phalacrocorax carbo)
- Little Cormorant(Phalacrocorax niger)
- Asian openbill(Anastomus oscitans)
- Fulvous Whistling-Duck(Dendrocynna bicolor) etc.
Contribution to Hydroelectricity:Prime objective of Kaptai Lake is Hydroelectric power generation.For this Kaptai Dam was constructed in 1961. There are five units exist in the Karnaphuly Hydroelectric Project for power generation.At present three units are under repaired.Generally 45 to 50 megawatt power generated from each unit.So power generation capacity is around 230 megawatt.
Kaptai lake versus Forests:
An area of133.0 acres of Sitapahar Reserve(Kaptai National park) have been affected by the Karnaphulli Hydroelectric Project.The Lake made it easier for many illigally extract the forest resources , especially from places where communication was otherwise difficult and this led to denuding of the reserve forest of 126.91 sq km and of khasland and hilltop forest of 606.06 sq km(Nuruddin Mahmood and Abdul Hai).
Conclusion:
This is the commonest and cheapest means of communication and transport in Chittagong Hill Tracts.It has opened up about 400 miles of all weather navigable routes.It is harbor of many water bodies. It plays an important role to economy of Bangladesh.
References:
Khan,M. Monirul H.2008.Protected Areas of Bangladesh,A GUIDE TO WILDLIFE. Nishorgo Program,Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Circle,Bangladesh Forest Department.
