We all need to continue our sustainable initiatives and efforts to conserve haors, said Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, on Monday.

The secretary also said that locals’ involvement is essential for the protection and preservation of haors for future generations.

Speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled "100 Years of Haor and What We Can Do" on Monday, organised by the Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Department at the Ministry of Water Resources, Ahsan said, "If we can raise awareness, people will protect the haors themselves."

He stressed the importance of preserving nature, noting that this responsibility falls on everyone to ensure a better future for the next generation.

Ahsan highlighted the diverse natural beauty of Bangladesh, from its haors and sea to its mountains, and drew a parallel between taking care of nature and maintaining one’s health. "Just as we take care of our bodies, we must also take care of nature," he said. "If we nurture nature, nature will protect us."

He emphasized that the younger generation should be taught to cherish the environment. Ahsan also described haors as "living entities" that require the active participation of local people for their conservation. "To protect haors, we need the involvement and ownership of those living in these areas," he added.

The Secretary also stressed the need to create a comprehensive list of wetlands across the country, identifying critical areas such as the southern regions, where freshwater is scarce. "We must preserve water bodies for drinking water in these areas, especially in upazilas or unions, to ensure access to clean water," he said.

Additionally, Ahsan pointed out that while the Haor and Water Bodies Department operates in only two of the seven haor-surrounded districts, efforts should be made to establish offices in the remaining districts.

"We must address haor issues at the local level, not just in Dhaka," he urged, instructing the concerned department to take immediate action.