Chalan Beel needs to be protected: Scientists

BSS, Rajshahi :
Scientists and researchers viewed there is no way but to conserve natural resources in the region, particularly the Chalan Beel area to face the adverse impact of climate change in the greater interests of the future generation.
They demanded formulation of a law restricting further encroachment and degradation of wetland, biodiversity and ecosystem of Chalan Beel area seeking political will and commitment for resisting unethical intervention in the matter with restoration of the Chalan beel that is the largest and important wetland in the country’s northwest region.
The demand was made at a wildlife conservation related seminar held at the Shingra Pourasava Auditorium yesterday. Wildlife Management and Natural Resource Conservation Department and Chalan Beel Biodiversity Protection Committee jointly organized the programme.
Prof Dr Bidhan Chandra Das of Department of Zoology of Rajshahi University addressed the discussion as chief guest while Mollah Rezaul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation division), spoke as focal person with Ishahaque Ahmed, Shingra Upazila Press Club President, in the chair.
Shingra Poursava Mayor Shamim Al Razi, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shalma Khatun, former principal of Rajshahi College Dr Ashraful Islam, Dr Hasanur Rahman and Dr Ali Haider of RU Botany Department and UP Chairmen Abul Kalam, Jahurul Alam, Lutful Habib, Minhaj Uddin, Shamina Haque Rozi and Altaf Hossain also spoke.
Chief Guest Prof Bidhan Chandra referred to evidence-based method to support natural resource conservation in the dried area and its prospects and challenges. Obviously, we have to devise ways and means on how to cope with the adverse impact of climate change. Integrated approach has become an urgent need to mitigate the adverse impact, he said.
“We need plan for Chalan Beel restoration,” he said focusing on the real picture of Chalan Beel region, urging the government to adopt a long-term plan for restoration of the beel area that covers 12 upazilas of Natore, Pabna, Sirajgonj and Naogaon districts.
Rivers and their tributaries have formed a water network over the entire chalan beel area. Besides, the beel is one of the largest productive regions of the country. There are 12 rivers and several tributaries here. But, unfortunately, many of those have lost their heritages due to various unplanned infrastructures, Dr Bidhan added.
Referring to various research findings he said the existence of identified species of fish is 129, annelids eight, arthropods 11, mollusces 13, amphibians seven, reptiles 17, birds 34, mammals eight and aquatic vascular plants 52 in the beel. The number of cultivable fish specie is 7 and self recruited fish species are more than 50.
Pourasava Mayor Al Razi called for removing the illegal embankments to help regain the normal flow of the rivers in the Beel area and save the water bodies as well as its ecological balance.
Many of the wetlands of the Beel have become cultivation land and using of injudicious chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the farming fields is posing a serious threat to the ecosystem and biodiversity especially fisheries resources.
Prof Ashraful Islam said there are huge pollution pressure, climate change impact and unsustainable development interactions.