The Hakaluki Haor

 

---

A. Warm op activity

Read the title of the article and look at the picture. Do not read the text yet. Guess what kind of information you are likely to get from the article. In pairs, discuss whether the article may contain the following information

 

a. Location and surrounding areas of Hakaluki haor
b. Kinds of fish available in Hakaluki haor
c. Kinds of migratory birds that visit the haor in winter
d. The economic importance of the haor

 

 

Here are the likely answers to the questions based on the title and picture of the article about Hakaluki Haor:

a. Location and surrounding areas of Hakaluki Haor

Yes, the article will likely contain information about the location and surrounding areas of Hakaluki Haor. This is typically included to give readers a geographical context and help them understand where the haor is situated.

b. Kinds of fish available in Hakaluki Haor

Yes, the article will probably discuss the kinds of fish available in Hakaluki Haor. Such information is relevant as it highlights the biodiversity and the importance of the haor for local fisheries.

c. Kinds of migratory birds that visit the haor in winter

Yes, the article is likely to include details about the migratory birds that visit Hakaluki Haor during winter. This would be relevant to showcase the haor’s role as a habitat for migratory species and its ecological significance.

d. The economic importance of the haor

Yes, the article will likely cover the economic importance of Hakaluki Haor. This might include information on how the haor supports local livelihoods, fisheries, agriculture, and other economic activities.

---

B.  Now read the artic: and see how much of the above information you cam find in it.

 

Hakaluki: A Rich Hub of Biodiversity and Livelihood

Bangladesh is blessed with huge inland open water resources. It has numerous wetlands, rivers, canals, beels, lakes, and vast areas of floodplains.

Hakaluki Haor is one of the major wetlands of Bangladesh. With a land area of 18,386 hectares, it supports a rich biodiversity and provides direct and indirect livelihood benefits to nearly 190,000 people. This haor was declared an Ecologically Critical Area in April 1999 by the government of Bangladesh.

Hakaluki is a complex ecosystem, containing more than 238 interconnected beels and jatmahals. The most important beels are Chaila, Pinlarkona, Dulla, Sakua, Barajalla, Balijhm, Lamba, Tekonia, Haorkhal, Tural, Baghalkon, and Chmaura. Hakaluki Haor is bounded by the Kushiara River as well as a stretch of the Sonai-Bardal River to the north, by the Fenchuganj-Kulaura railway line to the west and south, and by the Kulaura-Beamibazar road to the east. The haor falls under two administrative districts, Moulvibazar and Sylhet. Some 190,000 people live in the area surrounding the haor.

Hakaluki Haor is an important source of fisheries resources for Bangladesh. Kalibaus, Boal, Rui, Ghagot, Pabda, and Chapila are the main fish species found here. From the Kushiara, there are frequent upstream movements of fish towards the beels and tributaries of Hakaluki. The beels in Hakaluki Haor provide winter shelter for the mother fish.

In early monsoon, these mother fish produce millions of fries for the entire downstream fishing communities. Floodplains are also an important source of fisheries resources within the area. However, many of the beels have lost their capacity to provide shelter for mother fish because of sand deposits from upstream rivers and canals, use of complete dewatering techniques for fishing, and lack of aquatic plants to provide feed and shelter for parent fish.

The haor is a very important resting place for migratory waterfowl flying in from the north. The most interesting species is the Bar-headed Goose, which is now hardly seen in freshwater wetlands. Many other important species of waterfowl make the haor their temporary home. Unfortunately, illegal poaching has been a threat to the waterfowl population in this vast wetland.

Large areas of Hakaluki Haor dry up in winter and provide good grazing land for cattle. People from villages around the haor and also from distant areas send their herds for grazing. During this time, herders make temporary shelters near the beels and graze their animals for a period of 4-5 months. The haor area had very dense swamp forests in the past, but deforestation and a lack of conservation practices have virtually destroyed this unique forest in the last two decades.

Two small patches of swamp forests still exist in the area, one in Chatla Beel and the other near the village of Kalikrishnapur. The vegetation surrounding Hakaluki Haor is unique. It includes both swamp forest as well as mixed evergreen materials.

The haor system provides a wide range of economic and non-economic benefits to the local people as well as to the people of Bangladesh. These include fish production, buffalo rearing, duck rearing, cattle rearing, and collection of reeds and grasses, and collection of aquatic and other plants. The haor system also protects the lower floodplains from flash floods during the months of April and May, maintains the supply of fish in other lower water bodies, and provides habitat for migratory and local waterfowl.

The unique haor system contributes to the beauty of the landscape both during the monsoon and the dry season. In monsoon, the haor becomes a huge natural bowl of water which gives it a unique scenic beauty. In the dry season, it becomes a vast green grassland with pockets of beels serving as resting places for migratory birds. This unique natural system can be a major attraction for tourists.

[Adapted from: http://www.doe.gov.bd/old/ewhmp/owbmp_pdf/final_draft_hakaluki_evaluation.pdf, Economic Evaluation of Hakaluki Haor: Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Bangladesh]

---

C. Answer the following questions:

a. Why ia Hakaluki haor an important aource of fisheries?
b. What are ‘mother fisheries”? What do they do?
¢e. What bird species are seen in Hakalnki haor in winter?
d. What economic benefits does the haor provide to locals?
e. Describe the natural beauty of Hakeluki haor.

 

 

a. Why is Hakaluki Haor an important source of fisheries?

Hakaluki Haor is an important source of fisheries because it supports a diverse range of fish species. It provides vital winter shelter for fish, which is crucial for their survival and reproduction. The beels and floodplains within the haor serve as breeding grounds for fish and contribute to the production of millions of fries that are essential for sustaining downstream fishing communities. The haor’s extensive water bodies and nutrient-rich environment create ideal conditions for fish growth.

b. What are ‘mother fisheries’? What do they do?

‘Mother fisheries’ refer to adult fish that migrate to breeding grounds to spawn. In the context of Hakaluki Haor, these fish use the beels and floodplains as temporary shelters during the winter. They play a critical role in producing large quantities of fish fry, which are young fish that will eventually grow into adults and replenish fish populations in the rivers and lakes downstream. This breeding activity is essential for maintaining the overall fish population and supporting local fisheries.

c. What bird species are seen in Hakaluki Haor in winter?

In winter, Hakaluki Haor is known to host various migratory waterfowl. One notable species is the Bar-headed Goose, which is now rarely seen in freshwater wetlands. Additionally, the haor attracts many other important species of waterfowl that use the area as a temporary habitat during their migration.

d. What economic benefits does the haor provide to locals?

Hakaluki Haor provides several economic benefits to the local communities, including:

• Fish Production: The haor is a significant source of fish, contributing to the livelihoods of local fishermen.
• Buffalo Rearing: The dry areas of the haor in winter serve as grazing land for buffaloes.
• Duck Rearing: Local communities also rear ducks in the haor.
• Collection of Reeds and Grasses: The haor provides materials for construction and other uses.
• Aquatic Plants: Collection of various aquatic plants used for different purposes.

e. Describe the natural beauty of Hakaluki Haor.

Hakaluki Haor exhibits stunning natural beauty throughout the year. During the monsoon season, it transforms into a vast, water-filled expanse that creates a picturesque and serene landscape. The wetland’s expansive water bodies, framed by lush greenery, contribute to its scenic appeal. In the dry season, the haor turns into a sprawling green grassland, with pockets of water providing resting spots for migratory birds. This seasonal transformation enhances its natural charm and makes it an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts.

---

D. Visit or read about any wetland (becl, jalmahal, haor etc.) in your area and write a short article in 150 words about the wetland. Your article should contain
some or all of the following points:

 

a. The name, location , and area of the wetland

b. The kinds of fishes available

c. The kinds of vegetation that grow in and around the wetland

d. the benefits it provides

e. its natural beauty

 

 

Article: Exploring the Charm of Hakaluki Haor

Hakaluki Haor, located in the Moulvibazar and Sylhet districts of Bangladesh, spans an impressive 18,386 hectares. This significant wetland is renowned for its rich biodiversity and vital ecological functions. The haor supports various fish species, including Kalibaus, Boal, Rui, and Pabda, which are crucial for local fisheries.

In terms of vegetation, Hakaluki Haor is home to a diverse range of aquatic plants, such as water lilies and reeds, which provide essential habitat and food for wildlife. The surrounding floodplains also feature grasses that support grazing animals during the dry season.

The haor offers numerous benefits, including fish production, buffalo and duck rearing, and the collection of aquatic plants. Its seasonal changes enhance its natural beauty: a vast water expanse in the monsoon and lush green grasslands in the dry season, making it a picturesque and valuable natural resource.

---