Raipur Fish Hatchery

Raipur Fish Hatchery and Training Center is located in Raipur upazila, 15 km away from Lakshmipur district and one of the largest in Asia. This fish breeding center was established in Raipur in 1979 with the aim of breeding and supplying fish fry and renu in the main canals of the country. Later in 1982 artificial fish breeding was started at Raipur Fish Hatchery and from 1992 the center started commercial fish production. From 1979-1992, the center was known as the largest fish breeding center in the district under the Noakhali Regional Development Project by the Danish development agency Danida. At present, Raipur Fish Breeding and Training Center is one of the three fish breeding centers in the country under the direct supervision of the Department of Fisheries.

The Raipur Fish Breeding and Training Center is spread over about 54 acres. There are 8 farms, 14 dairy farms, 72 poultry farms and 201 ponds. Besides, there is a government house with 4 rooms, a hatchery and a laboratory. About 504 kg of fry of various varieties including Katla, Mrigel, Kalaboush, Magur and Shin fish are produced from about 12 tons of reproductive mother fish of this fish breeding center.

Laxmipur can be reached by Greenland Express, Royal Coach, Himachal Express, Econo, Miami, Al Baraka, Jonaki Service and Dhaka Express buses from Syedabad Bus Terminal in the capital Dhaka. Besides, you can go to Laxmipur Mozu Chowdhury Ghat by launch from Dhaka's Sadarghat Launch Terminal. On reaching Lakshmipur you can go to Raipur Fish Breeding and Training Center by rickshaw or CNG. However, the permission of the authorities is required to enter the fishery center.

Laxmipur has residential hotels like Hotel Feroze, NR Guest House, Star Guest House, St. Martin's Residence, Sonar Bangla Guest House, Hotel Ab-e-Hyatt and Hotel Unique.

There are various quality restaurants, fast food shops and Chinese restaurants near the main road of Lakshmipur city. Tripti Hotel, Hotel Rajmahal, New Lakshmi, Grand Hotel, Kutum Bari, Abbas Ali Restaurant, Mohammadia Hotel and Food Garden are notable for good quality food. And if you get a chance, you can taste buffalo curd and chick jilapi from Ramgatti in Laxmipur.

Other places to visit in Laxmipur include Motirhat Beach, Jinn's Mosque, Char Alexander and Dalal Bazar Zamindar Bari.

Feature Image: Saifullah Khan