The government has issued Tanguar and Hakaluki Haor Protection Order to safeguard the environment and ecosystem from uncontrolled tourism and boat movement, illegal sand extraction, use of banned Chinese fishing nets and destruction of aquatic forests.
The order has been promulgated under Sections 22 and 27 of the Bangladesh Water Act, 2013, and as part of the country’s commitment to international conventions, said an official handout today.
Among the directives are: for both haors are hunting of birds, including migratory ones, commercial duck farming in migratory bird-rich areas, felling of tress, and any damage to aquatic forests are strictly prohibited.
Cutting branches of aquatic trees (such as Hijol abd Koroch) to build enclosures or use as fish shelters is forbidden.
Tourists, houseboats, and vessels are barred from entering ecologically sensitive or protected areas identified by the district administration, the Department of Environment, or the Haor Department such as habitats or breeding grounds of birds, fish, and other aquatic or wild species).
No alteration of land type or obstruction of natural water flow shall be allowed without government approval and an environmental and social impact assessment.
Activities that may harm or alter the natural characteristics of land and water in the haor are prohibited. Educational trips and foreign tourist visits require prior permission from the district administration.
No activities shall be undertaken in the haor areas that may damage or alter the natural characteristics of land and water. Prior permission from the respective Deputy Commissioner must be obtained for study tours and the transportation of foreign tourists.
Passenger numbers on boats and houseboats must remain within the permitted limits. No vessel may transport excess passengers or carry fishing gear or equipment. Boat movement and anchoring must follow designated routes. Tourist transport is strictly prohibited during adverse weather conditions.
Tour operators must ensure the safety of tourists during storms, heavy rains, or lightning, and both operators and tourists must respect local culture and traditions. Loud music or parties on houseboats and vessels are banned.
Operators must avoid using sound-polluting engines or generators and cannot carry single-use plastics. Fishing using banned nets or electric shocks is prohibited.
Sand, stones, or soil extraction or leasing within haor areas without proper authorization is forbidden. Draining haor water bodies completely during the dry season is not allowed. Tour operators may not operate boats or houseboats longer than 100 feet.
Discharge of liquid or solid waste from nearby houses, factories, or establishments into haor waters is strictly prohibited.
Construction of paved roads in haor areas must be avoided; if absolutely necessary, proper approval, environmental impact assessment, and social impact assessment must be conducted before commencing work.
Compliance with this protection order is mandatory, and any violation shall be treated as a punishable offense under the Bangladesh Water Act, 2013.
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