'Save two water bodies in Hakaluki Haor'
Yudhishtipur-Baddeuli Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) Management Multipurpose Co-operative Commitee Limited and Ekota ECA Management Multipurpose Co-operative Committee Limited in Barlekha upazila submitted a written application to the deputy commissioner yesterday, demanding protection of two water bodies in Hakaluki Haor from illegal fishing that has been going on for a month.
The applicants said the government had announced Hakaluki Haor as an ECA under the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act in 1999 to protect its natural environment. For nearly two decades, extensive programmes were taken up and implemented to protect the environment, ecology and biodiversity of Hakaluki Haor. As part of this programme, the government handed over Baya Beel, including North Gajua Beel and South Gajua Beel, to the two orgaisations in 2011.
General Secretary of Yudhishtipur-Baddeuli ECA Management Multipurpose Co-operative Committee Limited Morom Ali said the two co-operative commitees have carried out many development works in the beels since then.
Under the development work, they hired six permanent guards for protection of the beels. Due to initiative, water has been available during the dry season since 2011 in about 267 acres, whereas there used to be water crisis before. Availability of water throughout the year provides opportunity for breeding a large number of native fish and attracting migratory birds in the winter. Farmers can also irrigate their crops two or three times a season.
In addition, 82,550 hijal and 90,000 koroch trees were planted with the help of Climate Resilient Ecosystems and LiveLihood in ECA (CRAEL-ECA) project implemented in the beels in 2014-15 and 2015-16. Nearly 90 percent of the planted trees are still alive.
Hasan Ali Babul and his men have been catching fish in the beels for the last one month and harming the diversity in the beels, Morom said.
Babul claimed that he took Baya Beel on lease from the government, but he could not show any documents regarding the lease, he added.
“The land ministry asked us what development work was done. We sent letters to the upazila nirbahi officer asking about the details, but they have not replied yet. I will look into the matter,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Ashraful Alam Khan.
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