Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has urged for the immediate suspension of land leasing in haor areas, emphasizing that leasing lands which harm local communities and their livelihoods is unacceptable.
Speaking as the chief guest at the "National Haor Dialogue 2024," organized by ALRD, BARSIK, and BELA at the SIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, she said, "I believe the lease of haors should be stopped immediately. There is no question of leasing lands that destroy people's lives and livelihoods. Please inform us about the areas facing these issues, and we will visit them."
The Adviser also discussed the ongoing conflict between ministries regarding the responsibility for protecting the haors, stressing that safeguarding these critical areas is a collective responsibility. "The responsibility of protecting the haors lies with all of us. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will fulfill its duty to protect the haors," she said.
She also addressed the impact of agricultural practices on the region's ecosystems, particularly highlighting the use of pesticides and herbicides on rice crops in haor areas during the dry season. These practices cause significant harm to both the fisheries and livestock sectors. "Machines are used for harvesting crops, and when these machines enter the haors, they harm the fish. I have informed the Agriculture Adviser to ensure that no pesticides are used on rice in the haors. We must protect the mother fish," she added.
The event was chaired by human rights activist and Executive Director of ALRD, Shamsul Huda, and attended by several prominent figures, including Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Director of the Environment Department of Rangpur Division; Tetsu Chuchui, President of Share the Planet Association; and Taslima Islam, Acting CEO of BELA.
