The Bangladesh government is doing everything necessary to save the wetlands

Wetlands, locally known as Haor, are an integrated ecosystem of Bangladesh. The ecosystem of the Haors and wetlands in the northeast region of Bangladesh—including the districts of Sunamganj, Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, and Brahmanbaria—plays a vital role in ensuring our food and nutrition security and preserving the ecological balance of the country.

Md Shahab Uddin, Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), said,” The government is adopting various activities under various projects to protect the Haor by reducing the damage caused by climate change.”

For this purpose, the authorities have formed village conservation teams to protect the environment and biodiversity of the area.

The environment minister stated these while attending a Seminar on ‘Climate Change and Our Future: Policy Facing Youth’ organized by Environment and Social Development Organization at Dhaka.

‘Aquatic forests have been created in the Haor area, and conservation activities are underway. Wetland sanctuaries have been established through re-excavation of bill-canals,” the Minister added.

Along with the Hakaluki Haor, there built a Submergible Embankment to safeguard the household property from the onslaught of waves. It also made a green belt by tree sapling to strengthen the Embankment.

Some other notable activities related to the Haor conservation are cited below,

• Install solar-powered irrigation pumps to provide irrigation facilities to local farmers to mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Provision of small capital grants for alternative income-generating activities of the people dependent on natural resources.
• Provide material support directly from the project for alternative income-generating work.
• Facilitating various training programs to enhance the skill, etc.

The Minister said, ” Tanguar Haor in Sunamganj district and Hakaluki Haor in Moulvibazar district already declared as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA). On January 20, 2000, Tanguar Haor has also declared the second Ramsar site in Bangladesh and the 1031st.

Following are some activities banned in these areas,

• Deforestation or collection of natural forests and vegetation in these areas,
• killing/shooting of any kinds of prey and wildlife,
• capture or collection of oysters, corals, turtles, and other wildlife,
• destruction of habitats of animals and plants,
• All works that may degrade/alter the natural properties of land and water,
• establish industries or establishments polluting the soil, water, air, and noise,
• any activities harmful to fish and other aquatic animals,
• settlements in river-reservoirs-lakes-wetlands,
• industrial establishments and disposal of sewage and liquid wastes from other institutions and removal of solid wastes,
• extraction of any other mineral resources including stone by mechanical or manual or any other method, etc.

 “The Ecologically Critical Areas Management Rules, 2016, Bangladesh” enacted these ecologically fragile areas to protect and maintain law and order more efficiently,

The National Committee for Management of Ecologically Critical Areas and its District Committee, Upazila Committee, Union Coordination Committee, and Village Conservation Team has been formed to implement the rules. The government enforces Haor’s natural resource and environment management activities through these committees.

“Under the strong leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government continue to implement various activities to protect the environment and address the adverse effects of climate change at its own expense by formulating detailed plans and strategies, not just looking at the developed world, “the environment ministry claimed.

From 2009 to 2021, BDT.3,852 crore was set aside to implement climate adaptation and mitigation projects in Bangladesh. With the help of this fund, various ministries, government departments, agencies, and various organizations have taken up about 800 projects to address the adverse effects of climate change.

Climate spending has almost doubled in the last seven years, which has increased from BDT.12.00 billion to about BDT.25.00 billion at present. National Adaptation Plans  (NAP) are formulated to coordinate adaptation strategies and actions to address long-term climate change.

Grassroots consultative forums were also undertaken across the country to develop the NAP above. Special emphasis has been given to the youth to determine what to do to protect the future generation.

The Minister said the government is planting more than 70 million trees a year. He called upon all to plant more trees and tolled that the government would succeed in protecting the environment through the participation of all.