Speakers at a dialogue on Tuesday said that the reliance on chemicals for agricultural production increased in haor areas across the country.聽
Multinational companies are playing an important role in the expansion with an ever-growing influence on crop growers.
They made the observation at 鈥楴ational Haor Dialogue 2024鈥�, organised by BARCIK, Association for Land Reform and Development and the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association in the capital, said a press release issued by the ALRD.
BARCIK director Syed Ali Biswas said, 鈥楨mphasis is being placed on commercial fisheries by leasing haor wetlands, which is leading to the destruction of natural habitats and fish sanctuaries. The diversity of 230 species of native fish is steadily declining.鈥� 聽
He further said that agricultural land was being filled with sand brought by floodwaters, and swamp forests, vital habitats for the region鈥檚 fish, had been destroyed. 聽聽聽
Addressing the event as chief guest, Farida Akhter, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, emphasised that the responsibility for protecting the haor region should not be limited to the Ministry of Water Resources but should involve coordinated efforts by the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock.
She noted that aman rice was once the primary crop in the country, but now boro rice constitutes 54 per cent of total rice production, with 18 per cent of it produced in the haor areas, where 3,62,730 fishers are registered across seven districts.
Highlighting the impact of insufficient river dredging, she said that this prevented haors from accommodating water brought by flash floods.
鈥楶rotecting the haors is an international concern, and we need to engage in discussions with India on transboundary issues affecting the haor region,鈥� the adviser added.聽聽
Presenting a review and recommendations on the proposed draft 鈥楤angladesh Haor and Wetland Protection, Development, and Management Act 2022鈥�, ALRD programme manager Sanjida Khan Ripa said that the proposed draft granted only the director general or any officer empowered by them the authority to file cases in matters of offense and judgment, meaning complaints from the citizens will not be considered for filing cases, which contradicts the fundamental rights outlined in the constitution. 聽
She further noted that the draft law stipulates that no one can file a case against authorities or government officials if they are harmed due to actions taken in good faith under the law, which also contradicts the fundamental rights mentioned in the constitution.
To protect the haor region, the speakers emphasised the strict implementation of laws and the immediate cessation of leasing haors.聽
