Staff Reporter :
Enormous potentials of Haor which could change economic scenario of Bangladesh remained untapped as the government kept it ignored, speakers at a journalists workshop said in Sunday.
“If the Haor and wetlands of the country come under proper management and the resources of the reservoirs can be used properly, Bangladesh will advance economically.
The country will move forward in many other ways.
However, the prospects and problems of Haor and wetland should be covered in mass media properly for the way-out,” said Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Development while presiding over the event.
He said that the role of mass media and journalists is essential to exploit the immense potential of Haor and wetland.
The DG called upon the media and journalists to play a vital role in conserving and developing the Haor and wetland by providing news in media outlets.
The department arranged the workshop titled ‘100 Years of Haor and Wetland’ at the conference room of the department at Panthapath in the capital on Sunday.
‘Amra Nari’ and Marine Journalists’ Network-MJN were co-organisers of the event.
Md. Akhtaruzzaman presented the keynote paper at the workshop, while Ehsanul Haque Jasim, Vice-President of Marine Journalists’ Network-MJN; presented an article on ‘Role of Media in Conservation and Development of Haor’ at the event moderated by MM Zahidur Rahman Biplob, Founder of ‘Amra Nari’.
Dr SM Tanvir Hasan, water resources expert of the Institute of Water Modeling (IWM); Raju Ahmad former General Secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU); Muhammad Anowarul Hoque, Secretary General of ‘Save Our Sea’; Nasima Akhter Shoma of Bangladesh Post; Rashad Ahamad, President of Marine Journalists’ Network-MJN; and Kafayet Shakil, General Secretary of the organization; took part in the discussion.
Md. Akhtaruzzaman, DG of the Department of Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Development, said that this department is working sincerely to conserve the Haor and wetlands of the country.
Mass media can play a vital role in the conservation and development of the Haor and wetlands. He sought the cooperation from media and journalists in this regard.
The DG said that 71 per cent of the country’s GDP can come from the export of freshwater fish. Three times more profit in fish farming than rice can be possible if plan is taken properly and it is implemented.
The Haor water could be the greatest sources of farming such fish to change the whole economic scenario of the country with changing the fate of the local people of the Haors, he said.
He said that sediment and siltation are the major problem in the Haor and wetlands at present. At least one billion metric tons of sediment falls every year. As a result, rivers and wetlands of the country are filling up.
Ehsanul Haque Jasim said Haor area generates 17pc of rice production, while 20pc of total inland fish output. Haor regions’ gas, mineral deposits, biodiversity, wetland, tourism, and other economic activities are all significant. Haor districts generate 90pc of the country’s overall gas output, he added.
He said, Haor is being degraded rapidly due to various unplanned projects and development activities of the government. The Haor area faces challenges in education, poverty, child labour, clean water, sanitation facilities, malnutrition, lack of health facilities, connectivity and natural disasters. Flash flooding occur frequently, which affect the northeastern part of the country adversely. Many people die every year due to lightning. However, these are not covered by media properly, he added.
Muhammad Anowarul Hoque said that the Water Development Board only constructs dams for water development projects. Ground water is being wasted by cultivating fish on the roof. It also spoils the quality of fish. There is no need for rooftop fish farming if Haor and reservoirs of the country are properly conserved and managed.