About 400 to 500 years ago Bhagirathi River flowed through Bhandardaha. In course of time with shifting of the course of river large water bodies like Bhandardaha were created in the Bhagirathi-Padma-Jalangi basin. Bhandardaha has been a very important water body of Murshidabad. Its contributions to natural environment and historical sites of the district are undeniable. Thousands of fishers earn their livelihood from this water body. Once a source of large amounts of fish, Bhandardaha played a very important role in the food security and nutritional status of local population. The farmlands around are watered from this water body. Now water inflow from Padma and adjoining areas has almost stopped. Silt, water hyacinth and pollution have devastating effects on the water and fish resources of the bil. Without getting fish the fishers are incessantly roaming around in search of livelihood. There are reports that a fund of Rupees 400 crores had been been sanctioned for restoration of Bhandardaha, but nothing happened on the ground. Most of the fishermen’s cooperatives that had come up around Bhandardaha have been usurped by people with vested interest. The water areas under these cooperatives are illegally sub-leased and general fishermen members are deprived of livelihood opportunities. Administrative indifference and delay-dallying make the situation worse.