BSS, Rajshahi :
Like the previous year, a ban has also been imposed on mango harvesting and marketing in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts till May 25 next to give optimum time for natural ripening.
Concerned district administrations have taken the decision recently in the wake of artificially ripening of immature mango through mixing harmful chemicals and marketing those frequently which creates grave concern among the consumers in general across the country.
Kazi Ashraf Uddin, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rajshahi, said the district administration has adopted various awareness measures to resist the chemically tainted mango. Already, 800 kilograms of carbide-mixed mangoes were destroyed in different places in the district.
Monjur Hossain, a mango trader in Charghat, said some dishonest traders had started harvesting green mangoes much before ripening. They were trying to marketing those through artificially ripening. For this reason, the punitive measures were taken. He added that most of the mangoes will become matured and ripen within the stipulated time and then those could be harvested normally.
Fazlur Rahman, Additional Director of Department of Agriculture Extension,said the indigenous varieties mangoes have started ripening. But the two most delicious and famous varieties-Gopalbhog and Khirshapat-need some more days to ripen. To this end, the mango growers and traders were kept in close observation and monitoring relating to the issue.
If anyone who will be found guilty of harvesting immature mango and marketing those through mixing harmful chemicals will be brought under punitive action. He said formalin-mixed mango is harmful for public health. So, in addition to the field-level strict surveillance, mango harvesting and marketing has been banned till May 5.
Fazlur said drastic action will be taken against those who will be found guilty of violating the ban. Simultaneously, the truck-bus owners
associations were also asked to refrain from mango loading, unloading and transporting during the restricted period.
Besides, mobile court fined and jailed some dishonest traders that led to violence between police and traders at Baneshwar Bazar under Puthiya upazila of the district in 2014. In order to avert such type of unpleasant incidents this year, local administration adopted the measures in advance.
Meanwhile, Md Muniruzzaman, President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said all concerned should enforce the administrative direction strictly so that none can commit any malpractice relating to the mango harvesting and marketing.
“Mangoes mixed with deadly chemicals such as carbide is extremely hazardous for human health. The chemical has a long-term affect on human body,” he said.
Quoting the health experts, the chamber leader said only 100 gram of calcium carbide can ripen nearly 100 kilogram of mangoes while the chemicals could cause deadly diseases like cancer, kidney and liver complications.
Mango is the leading seasonal cash crop of the country’s northwest region and dominates the economy in the two districts famous for the delicious fruit.
Like the previous year, a ban has also been imposed on mango harvesting and marketing in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts till May 25 next to give optimum time for natural ripening.
Concerned district administrations have taken the decision recently in the wake of artificially ripening of immature mango through mixing harmful chemicals and marketing those frequently which creates grave concern among the consumers in general across the country.
Kazi Ashraf Uddin, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rajshahi, said the district administration has adopted various awareness measures to resist the chemically tainted mango. Already, 800 kilograms of carbide-mixed mangoes were destroyed in different places in the district.
Monjur Hossain, a mango trader in Charghat, said some dishonest traders had started harvesting green mangoes much before ripening. They were trying to marketing those through artificially ripening. For this reason, the punitive measures were taken. He added that most of the mangoes will become matured and ripen within the stipulated time and then those could be harvested normally.
Fazlur Rahman, Additional Director of Department of Agriculture Extension,said the indigenous varieties mangoes have started ripening. But the two most delicious and famous varieties-Gopalbhog and Khirshapat-need some more days to ripen. To this end, the mango growers and traders were kept in close observation and monitoring relating to the issue.
If anyone who will be found guilty of harvesting immature mango and marketing those through mixing harmful chemicals will be brought under punitive action. He said formalin-mixed mango is harmful for public health. So, in addition to the field-level strict surveillance, mango harvesting and marketing has been banned till May 5.
Fazlur said drastic action will be taken against those who will be found guilty of violating the ban. Simultaneously, the truck-bus owners
associations were also asked to refrain from mango loading, unloading and transporting during the restricted period.
Besides, mobile court fined and jailed some dishonest traders that led to violence between police and traders at Baneshwar Bazar under Puthiya upazila of the district in 2014. In order to avert such type of unpleasant incidents this year, local administration adopted the measures in advance.
Meanwhile, Md Muniruzzaman, President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said all concerned should enforce the administrative direction strictly so that none can commit any malpractice relating to the mango harvesting and marketing.
“Mangoes mixed with deadly chemicals such as carbide is extremely hazardous for human health. The chemical has a long-term affect on human body,” he said.
Quoting the health experts, the chamber leader said only 100 gram of calcium carbide can ripen nearly 100 kilogram of mangoes while the chemicals could cause deadly diseases like cancer, kidney and liver complications.
Mango is the leading seasonal cash crop of the country’s northwest region and dominates the economy in the two districts famous for the delicious fruit.
