After the Sundarbans, the second “Ramsar site” in the country is the Tangua’s Haor, which spans an area of 12,655 hectares in the upazilas (sub-districts) of Taherpur and Dharmapasha in Sunamganj. This haor was once known for its abundant birdlife and rich natural fish resources. Fish were plentiful in its waters.
Those days are gone now. The people living around Tangua’s Haor no longer catch local fish, but they buy imported fish. However, experts recognize this haor as the “Mother of Fisheries,” while the local people call it the “Mother of all haors.”
Around a dozen years ago, the administration started managing this haor. Initially, there were many hiccups in its management. Over time, the management lost its significance, according to local residents. For the conservation of this vast haor, there used to be around 2,000 to 2,500 lessees (local fishermen). Now, only 24 members of the Ansar force are responsible for the haor’s resources. Local people and experts argue that this negligible number of people cannot effectively manage the haor’s resources. The locals catch fish as they please, and extract natural resources, and no one seems to be taking care of its conservation. The haor is now facing an existential crisis.
If this situation continues, Tangua’s Haor’s extensive fishery could vanish soon. The local people involved in haor management say that if they could strictly enforce regulations on fishing and resource extraction, fish stocks in the haor would increase. However, it is essential to stop building dams and cutting canals in the haor. Additionally, tourist activities need to be regulated, as unrestrained tourism is impacting the environment and wildlife negatively.
Tangua’s Haor is currently a favorite tourist destination, attracting hundreds of tourists daily who explore its waters in numerous boats. This has a detrimental impact on the haor’s environment and nature. Night stays on the haor in boats have also become a trend, which is not only promising for tourism but also a threat to the biodiversity of the haor. Recently, the local administration has imposed some restrictions on tourists and boat operators, but compliance with these rules is low. Throwing litter in the haor also damages the environment.
Didarul Alam, the District Commissioner, said, “There are some issues in terms of management. Right now, anyone can enter the haor from all sides. We want to restrict it. We have formulated policies for tourists. To protect the haor’s resources, biodiversity, nature, and the environment, Tangua’s Haor will be operated with the utmost importance.”
Abdul Karim Chowdhury, a central member of the Bangladesh Environmental Movement (Bapa), expressed his concerns about the changing landscape of haors due to tourism development. He mentioned that while tourism has developed haors in a new way, it has also exposed them to natural threats. If we cannot keep the haors in their natural state, tourism will one day be adversely affected.
