The government has formulated a comprehensive master plan to conserve haors (wetland ecosystems), initially undertaking four major initiatives: constructing embankments in five haors, afforestation, tourism protection and policy formulation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, provided this information at a seminar titled “Haor Crisis and Potential" at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on Tuesday morning.
She said: “We all talk about forests and rivers, but no one ever talks about haors. Discussions about haors remain limited to words only. Despite much discussion about the education and healthcare of haor residents, practical solutions are yet to be seen. I myself am from the haor region—my home is in Habiganj. Therefore, whenever haors are mentioned, I feel a special connection.”
She added that the master plan was finalized by the erstwhile government in 2023.
Work on the plan had commenced even before she assumed her current position.
Later, it was updated and necessary revisions were made, she said.
She added that the opinions of the haor inhabitants will be given due importance in the plan.
On afforestation in the haors, she said a preliminary list of haors where trees will be planted has been prepared.
Many trees have already been cut in several haors, she said, adding that she herself has filed a case regarding Hakaluki Haor.
According to the plan, trees will be planted in October or November when the water level decreases, she said.
Regarding haor tourism, she said a draft policy for tourism regulation has been prepared and will soon be published.
Rizwana further said: "It will include guidelines on tourists’ conduct, dos and don’ts, and other necessary instructions. Many people play loud music on the way to Saint Martin’s Island, but if someone plays loud music in the haor, it cannot be called eco-tourism. Monitoring through volunteers needs to be increased, and district commissioners must also fulfil their responsibilities.”
She added: “Haor ecosystems are rare in the world. It must be preserved. Boundaries of the haors must be clearly demarcated to prevent harmful activities such as soil extraction from agricultural lands.”
She also highlighted the need to introduce "floating hospitals" in haor areas and emphasized the formulation of policies for fish production and harvesting.
At the seminar, Shamimur Rahman Shamim, research secretary of the BNP, said: “While haors face numerous challenges, they also hold immense potential. The people of haors derive their livelihoods from the haors themselves. Only through coordinated efforts can haors be advanced.”
