For want of excavation, repair and upkeep, 10 government fish sanctuaries in the Hakaluki and Hail haors of Moulvibazar are filling with silt and sand. The space where fish move and breed is shrinking, putting about 143 native species at risk.
According to the fisheries department, nine beels in the Kulaura, Barlekha and Juri parts of Hakaluki Haor have been declared permanent sanctuaries, among them Tekunia, Maiyajuri, Koar Kona, Maichhlar Dak and Sane Medi. They were set up in stages from 2011, the latest being one hectare of Sane Medi beel in 2025. In Hail Haor at Sreemangal, the Baikka Beel sanctuary was created in 2003 from three beels covering 118 hectares.
On the ground, the water has grown shallower in many places. In the dry season the shelter for fish shrinks as water falls, and in the monsoon water hyacinth and weeds spread. With deep pools and natural hollows filled in, spawning and the growth of fry are held back. Lotus and water lily habitat is contracting, and there are fears that fewer migratory birds will come.
Minnat Ali, president of the Boro Gangina Beel management committee that runs Baikka Beel, called for urgent dredging, restored depth and closer government oversight. A S M Saleh Sohel, a central leader of the environmental group Bapa, said scientific silt removal and planned excavation are urgently needed to protect the native species that remain.
District fisheries officer Arif Hossain acknowledged the damage and said a proposal for re-excavation has gone to higher authorities. He said he hopes repair work will begin soon. Deputy Commissioner Tauhiduzzaman Pavel and Moulvibazar-4 MP Md Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury also expressed hope of a coordinated effort.
Environmentalists say excavation alone will not end the crisis. Regular maintenance, an end to illegal occupation and harmful catching in the breeding season, and protection of aquatic plants and bird habitat are needed as well.
Photo: Shahnoor Habib Munmun / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Source: samakal
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