Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has called for the immediate halt of leasing in the haor areas, stressing that leasing lands that ruin people’s lives and livelihoods is unacceptable.
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 let us know the areas facing problems, and we will visit those places.”
The adviser made these remarks as the chief guest at the “National Haor Dialogue 2024” organised by Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), BARSIK, and Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) at the SIRDAP auditorium in the capital this morning (10 December).
The adviser said that there is always a tug-of-war between ministries over who should take responsibility for the haors.
“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 added.
She highlighted the presence of both fish and rice in the haors, along with livestock. During the dry season, the use of pesticides and herbicides on rice crops in haor areas causes significant damage to the fisheries and livestock sectors.
She said, “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.”
