Narail, Nov. 24 -- As winter settles over Narail, open fields in Shalua of Maijpara Union and Sholpur of Singasholpur Union transform into makeshift drying yards where the district's famed dry fish season begins in earnest.

For the communities here, the annual cycle is more than a tradition - it is a vital source of income that supports hundreds of families.

Dry fish has long been considered a staple across the region, but in Narail it is an economic backbone. Fishermen, labourers, small traders, and transporters all rely on the trade, which has earned the district recognition as a notable hub for producing chemical-free dry fish.

On raised bamboo macha, fish sourced daily from canals, beels, and rivers are cleaned, salted and arranged...