Our Correspondent.
MOULVIBAZAR , Feb 16 : The biodiversity and environment of the Haor Hakaluki, the biggest haor of the world is being damaged. The number of birds is also being declined every year here.
Siltation in the haor-bed, catching of birds, absence of necessary care of the haor have been causing pollution  to   the environment of the haor. If the Hakaluki Haor is ruiuned  then not only the aquatic plants and shrubs and birds and biodiversity of the haor will be endangered but also the life and livelihood of the people living in the haor belt will also be hampered to a great extent.
 Speakers  expressed such views  in a citizen gathering organized in demand of taking effective steps to protect biodiversity of the haor.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) Sylhet unit organized the gathering Friday at Chowmuhana area at Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar district. A human chain was also formed to press home their demand.
The gathering presided over by Abdul Malik, president of the organization 'The Movement for Save Farmer, Save Agriculture Moulvibazar' and also a local senior politician, was  addressed among others by Sharif Jamil, joint secretary of central committee of Bapa, Abdul Karim, general secretary of Bapa Sylhet unit, cultural personalities Zakir Hussain, Shahidul Islam Tonoy, Rafiqul Islam, former councilor of Kulaura municipality, vice-principal Farhad Ahmed.
'Long term effective plan and steps  are  immediately  needed to protect the entire environment of the haor'- senior politician Abdul Malik said this adding that the livelihood of lacs of people under haor belt depends on the keeping well the haor.
Sharif Jamil said he himself along with a team visited the haor Thursday last and found less aquatic birds are on the verge of extinction  and the water of the haor had been dried-up. Quoting local people he also said the aquatic birds have now been seen declined in comparison with that of the past.  'We demand the government  to take effective plans and its prompt and effective implementation to protect the environment of the haor' - he added.