Deputy Speaker calls for formation of special task force to identify haor problems

Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament Barrister Kaiser Kamal said that there is no other option but to take long-term, sustainable and integrated initiatives to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people of the haor region. At the same time, he called for the formation of a ‘special task force’ to identify the real problems of the haor region. He said these things while addressing as the chief guest at a seminar organized at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital today (May 17).
The seminar titled ‘Haor Disaster: Relevance and Action Plan of the Book ‘Chashbhusar Santan” was organized by Netrokona Journalist Forum, Dhaka. Referring to himself as a child of the haor, the Deputy Speaker said, “I was born and raised in the midst of the haor. Since childhood, I have been seeing the hardships, struggles and deprivations of the people of the haor region from close quarters.” Our farmers and cultivators are constantly fighting against natural disasters and making an important contribution to the country’s economy. However, very few effective and sustainable initiatives have been taken for the haor region since independence.
He lamented that haor is discussed only when there is damage. But a permanent solution requires research-based planning and realistic initiatives. The reality of the haor region, the struggle of people’s lives and the multidimensional impact of disasters are very clearly highlighted in the book ‘Chashabhushar Santan’. Such research-based books can play an important role in policy formulation and raising public awareness.
Accusing that anarchy is going on in the haor area in the name of fish farming, Barrister Kaiser Kamal said that a class of unscrupulous people have occupied the haor resources through the so-called lease system. Real fishermen do not get leases. The natural flow of water is being stopped by digging big holes in the beels and building ponds. As a result, farmers are suffering immensely and have been subjected to neglect and oppression for a long time.
He further said that the farmers of Haor do not get fair price for their produce. Again, due to the lease system, they cannot even catch fish. I myself am a witness to this injustice and discrimination. For the development of Haor region, the Deputy Speaker emphasized on effective water management, science-based research, innovation of technology suitable for early sowing of seeds and preparation of an accurate list of the real victims. Calling on everyone to unite, he said that since independence, the country has been run within a specific framework. Obstacles are coming step by step. Everyone should work together to implement the spirit in which our ancestors liberated the country and build a humane Bangladesh. Md. Anwarul Haque, journalists, researchers, writers, social workers and people from different walks of life of Haor region were also present at the seminar. The speakers called for taking coordinated initiatives to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people of Haor region.