Md. Al-Fahad

World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd. This date marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, an international treaty aimed at conserving and sustainably using wetlands around the world. To celebrate this year’s theme of “protecting wetlands for our common future.” Haor is a unique wetland ecological system of Bangladesh. World Wetlands Day promotes the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems for current and future generations.

Haors with their unique hydro-ecological characteristics are large bowl shaped floodplain depressions located in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh covering about 1.99 million ha (19,998 sq km) of area and accommodating about 19.37 million people.

There are 373 Haor/wetland located in the districts of Sunamganj, Sylhet, Habiganj, Maulvibazar, Netrakona, Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria. These 373 Haor cover an area of about 859,000 ha which is around 43% of the total area of the Haor districts. It is a mosaic of wetland habitats including rivers, streams, canals, large areas of seasonally flooded cultivated plains and beels. These bowl-shaped depressions, also known as backswamps, are a vital part of the country's ecology and economy.

During the monsoon season, haors become vast stretches of turbulent water, receiving surface runoff from rivers and canals. This annual flooding replenishes the soil and creates a fertile environment for agriculture during the dry season. Haors are biodiversity hotspots, supporting a wide array of plant and animal life. They provide critical habitats for fish, birds, and other aquatic species. The wetlands also play a crucial role in flood control, water purification, and groundwater recharge. The livelihoods of millions of people depend on haors. Fishing, agriculture, and livestock rearing are the primary economic activities in these areas. Haors also provide resources such as reeds, grasses, and medicinal plants.

However, haors face numerous challenges, including overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. These threats jeopardize the ecological integrity of these vital ecosystems and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect haors and ensure their sustainable use. Community-based management, sustainable fishing practices, and habitat restoration are some of the key strategies being implemented. By understanding the importance of haors and working together to address the challenges they face, we can ensure the long-term health and productivity of these unique wetland ecosystems for the benefit of both people and nature.

The writer is a, Postgraduate Student, Haor and Char Development Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202