The government has issued an order to protect Tanguar and Hakaluki haors. Using powers under the Bangladesh Water Act, 2013, and as part of implementing international commitments, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the Tanguar and Hakaluki Haor Protection Order. Under it, 19 directives must be followed in the Tanguar and Hakaluki haor areas.

A press release from the Ministry of Water Resources said Tanguar and Hakaluki are two of the country's important wetlands and among its most sensitive aquatic ecosystems. The protection order has been issued to protect the environment and ecology from uncontrolled tourism and boat traffic, illegal sand extraction, the use of banned China nets, destruction of swamp forest, excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, and waste discharge.

• Hunting birds or migratory birds in the haor area, commercial duck rearing in areas rich in migratory birds, cutting trees and any damage to the haor's swamp forest are completely banned.
• Cutting branches of the haor's swamp trees (hijal, koroch and so on) to build enclosures or to use as brush shelters for fish is banned.
• Tourists and houseboats may not enter areas declared sanctuaries or protected, or sensitive haor areas identified by the district administration, the Department of Environment or the Department of Haor (such as habitats and breeding grounds of birds, fish and other aquatic animals, or wildlife movement routes).
• The class of the haors and their land may not be changed without government permission.
• The natural flow of haor water may not be disrupted without government permission, subject to environmental and social impact assessment.
• No activity that could damage or alter the natural features of land and water in the haor area may be carried out.
• Prior approval from the district administration must be obtained for study tours and for carrying foreign tourists.
• Passenger numbers will be controlled according to the conditions of approval. No houseboat or vessel may carry more passengers than permitted or carry fishing gear or equipment, and vessels may not travel or anchor outside set routes.
• Carrying tourists will be completely banned in bad weather. Tourists' safety must be ensured when sudden storms, heavy rain or lightning are expected.
• Tour operators and tourists must show due respect for local customs and culture.
• Loud music and parties may not be held on houseboats or vessels.
• Houseboat and vessel owners and tour operators must strictly avoid using noisy engines or generators on their tours.
• Single-use plastic may not be carried on houseboats or vessels.
• Fishing in the haor with banned nets or by electric shock is prohibited.
• Leasing or extracting sand, stone or soil in the haor without permission from the proper authority is prohibited.
• No water body in the haor may be completely drained in the dry season.
• Tour operators may not operate vessels or houseboats longer than 100 feet.
• Liquid and solid waste from homes, industries and other establishments in the haor area may not be discharged into the haor.
• Building paved roads in the haor area must be avoided. If a road is needed for an emergency or special purpose, approval must be obtained from the proper authority, and environmental and social impact assessments must be carried out through a government-approved authority before construction begins.

Compliance with the protection order is mandatory, and violating it will be treated as a punishable offence under the Bangladesh Water Act, 2013, the environment and forest ministry said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.