By S M Zahid Hossain KHULNA, Jan 23, 2026 (BSS) - The historic 'Kuthi Bari' in Morrelganj, Bagerhat, built by Robert Morrel of the British East India Company, is on the verge of destruction due to river erosion and illegal encroachment.  The centuries-old structure, which reflects the harsh history of indigo cultivation and colonial oppression, has suffered severe damage from neglect. Recently, the Department of Archaeology officially listed the Kuthi Bari as a protected archaeological site and announced that preservation work will begin soon. Historical records indicate that after Robert Morrel's death in 1849, his wife settled on the western bank of the Panguchi River with their two sons and started indigo cultivation under the Sundarbans settlement system.  At that time, Bagerhat was not yet a subdivision, and Khulna was part of Jashore district. Using laborers from Barishal, the family cleared forestland and built the sprawling Kuthi Bari complex. Following the suppression of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny, the British strengthened control in the region through Kuthi-based administrative structures, with the Morrel residence serving as a key example.  The Kuthi Bari included stables, entertainment halls, warehouses, torture chambers, quarters for armed guards, court offices, detention rooms, and storage for agricultural equipment, all surrounded by a high wall to protect against wild animals, including tigers. Robert Morrel, recorded as "Captain Robert Morrel of the 2nd Edmonton Royal Middlesex Militia Rifle Regiment," oversaw the area. According to historian Satish Chandra Mitra, the Morrel family also established coconut and betel nut plantations and a marketplace on the eastern bank of the Panguchi River.  The market grew into Morrelganj, later declared a port by the British and nicknamed "Little Calcutta" for its commercial activity, though river sedimentation eventually led to its closure. The Morrel family was notorious for oppressing local farmers, including a violent conflict with Rahimullah, son of farmer leader Jahangir from Baroikhali village, over land rent in 1861.  Rahimullah initially resisted by sending a wooden box containing torn women's shoes as a protest. Subsequent armed clashes led to his death, prompting an investigation by local magistrate and writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. By 1878, the Morrel family had withdrawn from Morrelganj, ending their rule. Local residents claim that valuable architectural elements of the Kuthi Bari, including doors, windows, iron grills, chests, and staircases, have been looted. River erosion has washed away parts of the land, while other portions have been allegedly encroached.  Villagers Mohiuddin Ahmed, Sabbir Ali, Shahid Gazi, and Nuru Mia told BSS that a higher secondary school was built on encroached Kuthi Bari land, with ownership records reportedly manipulated. Elderly resident Rabiul Islam said the historic structure is now on the brink of collapse. Morrelganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Habibullah said the Department of Archaeology is aware of the situation and responsible for preserving the site.  Khulna Field Officer of the Department of Archaeology, Mosammat Irene Parvin confirmed that the Kuthi Bari has been officially listed as a protected archaeological monument and that preservation work will begin soon.  However, she warned that restoring the original land area and safeguarding the site without riverbank protection along the Panguchi River would be challenging due to limited resources and manpower.

KHULNA, Jan 23, 2026 (BSS) - Live yeast and flaxseed supplements can significantly increase milk production of cows and improve milk quality, a recent research conducted by Khulna University (KU) has found.  The findings were presented at a workshop titled 'Enhancing Milk Production and Quality through Supplementation of Live Yeast and Linseed Seed in Dairy Cows', held at the KU's Central Research Laboratory Conference Room on Thursday.  The research project was implemented by the Agrotechnology Discipline of the university with financial support from the Southeast Bank PLC. In his keynote presentation, Professor Dr Sardar Shafiqul Islam, Principal Researcher of the project, said that dairy farming remains a major source of livelihood for rural households across Bangladesh. However, milk yield and quality at the farm level have yet to reach expected standards, primarily due to inadequate balanced nutrition and a lack of modern feeding management practices.  He explained that nutritional biotechnology has opened new opportunities in livestock nutrition, where natural feed additives such as live yeast and flaxseed can be effectively utilized. According to the research findings, live yeast enhances rumen fermentation efficiency, improves digestion, and enables cows to extract maximum nutrients from feed. This results in increased milk production, improved milk composition, enhanced disease resistance, better body condition, and improved reproductive performance. Flaxseed, a locally available feed ingredient in Bangladesh, is rich in high-quality oil, protein, fibre, and essential minerals. It is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which significantly enhance the nutritional value of milk. The study revealed that supplementing dairy cow diets with 400-600 grams of flaxseed per day increased milk yield by an average of 20-25 percent.  In a field trial conducted in the Khulna region, average daily milk production increased from 8.55 kg to 10.48 kg per cow. Researchers further noted that alpha-linolenic acid present in flaxseed increases omega-3 fatty acid levels in milk, which is beneficial for human health, particularly in reducing heart disease risk, supporting brain development, and strengthening immunity. Additionally, the supplementation increased milk protein, fat, and total solids content, thereby improving milk quality and market value. Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) of Khulna University Professor Dr Md Harunur Rashid Khan said the ultimate objective of research is to ensure that its outcomes benefit people and contribute meaningfully to national development.  He stressed the importance of increased research in the agricultural sector, noting that there remains considerable scope for further studies on improving milk yield and quality. He also highlighted that Khulna University has consistently prioritized research, adding that for the first time, funding has been allocated for collaborative research, which will be expanded in the future. Special guest Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nurunnabi emphasized that research outcomes must reach marginal farmers and grassroots-level beneficiaries. He underlined the need for cost-effective technologies so that farmers can adopt the findings easily, leading to reduced production costs and better market prices. "Unless farmers and dairy entrepreneurs achieve economic security, research cannot be considered truly effective," he added. Professor Md Rezaul Islam, Head of the Agrotechnology Discipline, chaired the workshop. Director of the Research and Innovation Centre Professor Dr Kazi Mohammad Didarul Islam and Khulna District Veterinary Officer Dr Sanjay Biswas, among others, spoke. Teachers, students, livestock professionals, and marginal farmers participated in the workshop, reflecting a strong interest in applying research-based nutritional strategies to improve dairy productivity in Bangladesh.