Muria Haor at risk for over-fishing

The existence of Muria Haor in Biyanibazar of Sylhet is now under threat for lack of a fish sanctuary along the vast water body, once bountiful with fish resources.
Unabated fishing through use of current nets and mosquito nets not only disturbs fish breeding but also destroyed sanctuary of many species of fishes in the haor.
Once the home to at least 115 species of fish, several species including Rani, Bagha Air, Rayek, Madhu, Pabda, Chital, Boro Bain, Ritha, Boal, Koi and Magur are now rarely found in the eight square mile haor.
Besides, sand carried by hill and flood water has filled some 19 marshes of the area.
With the degradatian of the haor, livelihood of the people of 17 villages surrounding it is now at risk.
A number of projects were taken up for developing the haor, but none of those had been implemented in the last 41 years.
Muria Union Parishad Chairman Abul Khayer said if the Muria Haor projects are not implemented soon, the haor's geographical features and ecology of the area will be under threat in the next one decade.
Inhabitants of the haor area said the haor once resounded with chirping and fluttering of migratory birds including Balihans and Golgolihans only 15-20 years ago.
But, various species of birds including heron, Kora, Kori-Kata, Shamukbhangri, kite and Pankouri have been disappearing day by day, they said.
No initiative was taken to save the plats of the haor, they added.
Upazila Fisheries Officer Kabir Ahmed said Tk 50 crore is needed for the uplift of Muria haor.