Can you hear the farmer’s cry in the endangered haor region?

The country’s haor region is rich in natural resources. Paddy in the winter and fish in the rainy season are the main livelihoods of the haor people.

However, these two areas have been the subject of rampant corruption, irregularities and mismanagement for years.

The dams that were once built to protect the haor crops have now become a noose for the farmers due to waterlogging.

However, the farmers are taking the initiative to cut the dams themselves to save their crops. Despite all this, the farmers’ cries do not stop.

These disappointing pictures have emerged from newspaper reports on ‘endangered haors’.

According to media reports, hundreds of crores of taka are allocated every year to protect haor crops, but a large part of the allocation is lost due to mismanagement and corruption.

It is alleged that corruption has been committed in 300 dams in the current fiscal year, including 100 new dams and 200 old ones.

The farmer leaders of the haor areas have also described the new 100 dams as ‘unnecessary’. In other words, many dams are basically nothing more than money-laundering projects.

Regarding this, Dr. Halim Dad Khan, the chief coordinator of the organization called ‘Haoranchalbasi’, alleged that projects are made for corruption.

Although the allocation for crop protection dams is increased day by day to get political credit, nothing is done except looting.

The reports have revealed a sad picture of the rivers in the region. About 300 rivers and 3,000 canals have almost filled up.

In addition, there is also the black hand of vested interests. Every year, silt accumulates. Along with this, encroachment and unplanned development go hand in hand.

It has been seen that many rivers and canals have been killed by building dams in some places and roads in others.

Due to this, floods occur in hilly areas and crops are washed away in flash floods.

Apart from rice and fish, haor is a haven for countless wildlife. It is a habitat for rare species. Many guest birds arrive there every year.

New tourism has also been developed. But the situation as it stands will completely destroy the environment of the haor area.

We believe that there is no alternative to well-planned measures to protect the haor region.

Strong steps must be taken to stop the looting of government funds in the name of unnecessary projects.

First of all, we must think about the protection of the marginal farmers, fishermen, and wildlife of the haors.

We must implement environment- friendly projects with the opinions of experts, including emphasizing river dredging.