While development projects have brought progress to the lives of people in Laksham Upazila, Comilla, the passage of time has led to the loss of nearly 50 native fish species familiar to rural communities. Recent devastating floods damaged fish farms in the region, and currently, rivers, canals, and wetlands remain largely dry, resulting in a severe shortage of native fish.

Multiple local sources report that rivers, canals, ponds, and water bodies have become devoid of native fish due to various reasons, including adverse climate impacts, floods, waterlogging, natural disasters, unrestricted use of current nets, unregulated pesticide and chemical use, water pollution, reduced navigability of rivers, fish farming with embankments, unchecked dredging activities, landfilling, catching juvenile fish, cultivation of profitable invasive foreign fish, controversial fish breeding policies, negligence and lack of sincerity from the local fisheries department, and inadequate government support. These factors have critically impacted fish farming and marketing, placing around 50 native fish species, including koi, magur, shing, pabda, tengra, punti, chapila, shail, taki, gojar, boal, ayre, baila, meni, bain, chingri, kachki, chanda, chital, teyabaicha, boti, and khaiya, on the brink of extinction in the area. Once, these native fish met local demand and were exported to other parts of the country by local traders and fishermen. However, the shift toward cultivating profitable native and foreign invasive fish species is growing among farmers due to their economic viability.

In the southern part of the district, local markets see no supply of native fish. Previously, people in the region farmed large quantities of native fish through various methods, with many selling surplus fish in local markets to sustain their livelihoods. However, due to a lack of public awareness and inadequate monitoring by the local fisheries department, these fish have become as rare as "golden deer." Controversial activities in fish breeding sectors have hindered the reproduction of native species, exacerbating the shortage. Additionally, the questionable role of the local fisheries department in overseeing numerous fishery cooperatives has increased risks to native fish breeding and marketing. The upazila fish hatchery is now in a state of disrepair, with reports over the past 5-6 years revealing undisclosed financial irregularities reminiscent of "Arabian tales."

The Dakatia River, connected to nearly 50 canals, ponds, and water bodies, is losing its existence due to illegal encroachments and landfilling activities. As a result, native fish are gradually disappearing from the region’s food chain. In the last 15 days, the upazila administration, led by Upazila Executive Officer Md. Kawsar Hamid, has cleaned and renovated nine canals. However, these water bodies remain under illegal occupation.