Haor
Littering threatens haor environment in Kishoreganj as tourists swell
The all-weather Itna-Mithamoin-Austragram road is attracting growing number of tourists to the Haor, now a popular tourist destination.
It has also become a source of widespread littering by visitors who are mindlessly polluting the beautiful water body.
The vast expanse of water, which has turned into a hotspot for the enthusiasts, mainly the young people to spend quality time with friends and family members, has now been witnessing huge non-biodegradable waste thanks to lack of awareness among the visitors.
During recent visits to the now-famous haor road, it was found that the visitors coming to enjoy the splendour of the spot were least bothered to protect the beauty and bio-diversity of the Haor.
The types of littering the haor-road face include dropping of plastic and other bottles, cans, cigarette butts, cigarette packets, papers, paper bags, waste from different food items, coconut shells, and tissue papers, as the visitors dump those here and there without considering any consequence.
Though now littering has become a big threat for this wonderful tourist spot due to the rush of travellers, no effective initiative to stop it is visible.
Talking to UNB, some visitors said careless littering is harming the environment besides undermining the beauty and biodiversity.
Terming the Haor wetland as a sensitive zone, a regular traveller and broadcast Journalist Shakil Hasan said, “Haor is the home of different species of fish, aquatic animals, and herbs. Besides, aquatic animals and fish of haor eat these as their food. The environment of the haor is being ruined due to the indiscriminate dumping of garbage by the increasing number of insensible tourists. The food cycle of fish and aquatic animals is being disrupted too.”
Besides, the pollution of water and the environment of the haor has created a shortage of food for the birds. The arrival of guest birds is decreasing day by day due to pollution and reckless movement of tourists, he also said.
The tourist stressed controlling the pollution and limiting the movement of the tourists in order to keep the environment of haor healthy.
He also urged the government to take initiatives to ensure stopping the littering and advised tourists to be seriously aware of this issue.
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Another visitor Nasimul Hasan said initiatives should be made to ensure proper monitoring and management issues to take care of the important project which is related to biodiversity.
Local fishermen told UNB that they are receiving more garbage after the opening of the road as tourists dump them in the water ignoring the adverse environmental impact.
Sharing some photos on littering on his Facebook profile Rezwan Ahmed Tawfiq, member of Parliament of Kishoreganj 4 constituency consisting of haor Upazilla- Itna, Mithamoin and Austragram, said that the massive development work being done under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following the path of Bangabandhu's dream, has also stirred up the haor in this remote area. Nikli, Itna, Mithmoin, Austragram have become one of the tourist hotspots in Bangladesh which are receiving thousands of visitors coming from different parts of the country every day.
Saying haor as the beautiful part of Bangladesh, the national treasure and everyone's pride,’ Rezwan Ahmed said that it is the national duty of all to maintain this invaluable resource and beauty of haor, conserve the aquatic natural environment, biodiversity and vitality of the haor. Therefore, the haor should be kept clean and free from any kind of pollution and environmentally harmful activities.
“If any dirt, garbage, waste material, especially plastic bottles, sticks, packets, polythene or utensils are left scattered in the haor water, it will cause a serious disaster. This will reduce the fertility of the land as well as disrupt the flow of water and hinder the development of fish breeding and plant resources,” he said.
Rezwan Ahmed, the son of President Abdul Hamid, said that the environment department has already warned against dumping hundreds of bottles, packets, and polythene in the haor. Strict laws should be enforced to protect the area from such environmental damages.
He urged the tourists to take utmost care in maintaining the balance of the environment and keep the national wealth, haor clean and natural through sensible practice and behaviour.
"We want a pollution-free fresh environment. So, we have to stand against pollution and take a vow to protect the haor,” he added.
Local administrations informed that the government is also formulating rules for punishing those who will dump wastes here and there on the site instead of dumping those in the designated installed bins.
Travel bloggers and thrill-seekers, or just normal people who like nothing better than to drive out of town, have their latest craze to travel to the north and towards Kishoreganj.
All of them seem to return with one message to deliver above all else: they have seen one of ‘the most beautiful roads in Bangladesh!’
While tourism is bound to generate extra incomes for the locals serving the industry directly or as ancillaries (e.g. boatmen said they are struggling to keep up with the number of tourists already), it does bring with it the danger of overexploitation of the natural bounties. The haor as an ecosystem may be even more vulnerable.
Almost half of Kishoreganj district, including four of its 6 upazilas - Itna, Mithamoin, Oshtogram, and Nikli - is designated as a completely haor area: unique wetland ecosystems that during the monsoon resemble vast inland seas.
The almost 30-km Itna-Mithamoin-Austagram highway, which connects these 3 upazilas of Kishoreganj by going straight through the haor, can be seen as part of that push, although work on the Tk 514-crore project was inaugurated in 2016 by President Abdul Hamid - the district’s most famous son.
The Roads and Highways Department implemented the project that includes the 29-km main highway, 7 box-culverts, and 7 RCC bridges, plus the three big bridges.
Hakaluki Haor, Moulvibazar, Sylhet: Umpteen Aquatic Fascination Full to the Brim
To experience a unique outline of riverine life, visit Hakaluki Haor, the largest freshwater wetland of Bangladesh. This 44 sq-km swamp has covered Borolekha, Kulaura in the Moulvibazar district. The haor area also spreads through Fenchuganj, Golapganj, and Beanibazar in the Sylhet district. In the winter, Hakaluki Haor becomes the heaven of migratory birds. The same Haor takes the form of the sea in the rainy season. This captivating Haor attracts the local and international tourists round of the year. In this article, we have focused on some interesting features of this vast expanse of water. Let's know more about Hakaluki Haor
Background to the naming of Hakaluki Haor
Although no exact evidence has been found for the origin of "Hakaluki", there are a number of myths surrounding it.
Many years ago, in fear of the army of Omar Manikya who was the king of Tripura, Hangor Singh, the cookie leader of Borolekha, hid in a vast area covered with jungle and mud. So over time, the name of the area became "Hangor Luki", which gradually evolved into "Hakaluki".
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According to another legend, a king named "Aka" and his kingdom were completely buried due to an earthquake about two thousand years ago. Over time, this submerged lowland became known as "Akaluki" and later changed to "Hakaluki".
At one time a tribe called "Hengkel" lived in the western part of Borolekha police station. This "Henkeluki" later bears the name Hakaluki.
Another legend tells that once there were two tribes named “Kuki” and “Naga” who lived near Hakaluki Haor. In their tribal language, this mesmerizing Haor is called "Hakaluki", which refers to 'hidden treasure'.
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The riverine beauty of Hakaluki Haor
This Haor, consists of almost 238 swamps, contains various species of fish and aquatic plants. Among the aquatic plants, there is a considerable amount of Puti in the extinct Makna swamp region, Hingajur, Hawa, etc. During the boat trip over Hakaluki Haor, you can see a few old Hijol and Tomal trees in the water.
In winter, this place turns into a vast green desert, paddy fields and ditches somewhere. During this time about 25 species of ducks and aquatic birds migrated from Siberia in northern Asia. In addition, about 100 species of local birds are visible in the haor zone throughout the year.
In the Haor area, you will find some high grounds wrapped in the carpet of green grass creating amazing views by throwing reflections in the water of the swamp. During the sunrise and sunset, the reflection of the sun on the water of the haor creates a captivating scene.
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Surrounding these pastures and swamps of the huge wilderness, the rustic lives and simple livelihood of the local people will disconnect you from the din and bustle of city life. What is more? The chirpings of migratory birds in Hakaluki Haor give a thrill to the tourists.
Best time to visit Hakaluki Haor
You can choose the time between November and mid-February to visit Hakaluki Haor. During this period, with the arrival of birds, the Haor seems to have turned into a paradise on earth. However, if you want to witness the sea-look of Haor, you have to come in the month of June to August.
Nikli Haor, Mithamoin-Astagram Road Trip: On the Way to Kishoreganj
Over the last few years, Nikli Haor in Kishoreganj has become a popular tourist attraction. What makes the Nikli Haor trip more interesting is the 47 km long Mithamoin-Ashtogram Road built-in 2019. It is also called ‘All-Weather Road’. Filled with water in every monsoon, Nikli Haor shows its real beauty. To enjoy the enthralling beauty of Nikli Haor, you have to plan your trip between July and September. Let's learn more about Nikli Haor and Mithamoin-Ashtogram Road.
The natural beauty of Nikli Haor, Mithamoin-Astagram road
The large freshwater wetland breadth through Nikli, Mithamin, Astagram, and Itna Upazilas is a great place for long trips by boat. Small villages floating like islands on the water, fishermen busy with fishing in clear water, small swamps like Ratargul. You will find all of these in the Nikli Haor, which is 110 km away from Dhaka city.
While floating over the Haor, Chhatirchor village will fill your eyes with the fascination of a magical water forest. When there is less water, you will see half floating Monpura Char. You can walk around there for a while. However, if the Haor is filled to the brim with water, the char will not be visible. Finally, the reflection of the rays of the setting sun over the Haor water will create an unforgettable memory in your mind.
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The beauty of Haor at night is mesmerizing. The quiet environment of the Haor will engross you in a magical feeling of silence. Sometimes songs of boatmen come from distant boats, which makes the ambient more dramatic. The reflection of the moon over the small waves of Haor water will captivate anyone's heart. It seems that the moon has started floating on the water along with the boat.
Even during the winter or dry season, you can enjoy the beauty of Nikli Haor from a different perspective by virtue of the newly constructed elevated paved All-weather Mithamoin-Astogram Road. The water of Nikli Haor recedes at the beginning of the dry season. In the next few months, the place becomes a green state of paddy. And, when the paddy ripens, this zone turns into a golden carpet.
Thousands of tourists flock to Mithamoin-Ashtogram Road all year round to enjoy the eye-catching beauty of Nikli Haor where it is filled with water or paddy fields. Not to mention, the Mithamoin-Astogram road has added new dimensions to the beauty of the whole Haor.
Read The Most Beautiful Tea Gardens in Bangladesh to visit