Hilsha

Hilsha (scientific name: Tenualosa ilisha) is the national fish of Bangladesh. It is a marine fish that comes to the rivers of Bangladesh and eastern India to lay eggs. Hilsa is very popular among Bengalis. Hilsa is also a very popular fish in various parts of India such as West Bengal, Orissa, Tripura and Assam. In 2017, Bangladesh's hilsa fish was recognized as a geographical indicator or GI product. [1] Although hilsa is a saltwater fish or marine fish, it lives mostly in the sea but migrates to rivers in the Indian subcontinent over a distance of about 1,200 km for breeding. The normal distance of river in Bangladesh is 50 km to 100 km. Hilsa is mainly found in abundance in the Padma (parts of the Ganges), Meghna (parts of the Brahmaputra) and Godavari rivers in Bangladesh. Among these, the taste of Padma Hilsa is considered to be the best. Hilsa from Rupnarayan river, Ganges and Godavari rivers of India is famous for their delicious eggs.

Hilsa fish is also caught from the sea but the sea hilsa is not as tasty as river fish. This fish is also found in Sindh province of South Pakistan. There the fish is known as palla. This fish is also found in very small quantities in Thatta district. At present, due to the falling water level of the Indus River, palla or hilsa is no longer seen.