Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on Sunday stressed the need for long-term, sustainable and coordinated initiatives to protect the lives and livelihoods of people living in the country’s haor regions.
He called for the formation of a special taskforce to identify the real problems facing the haor areas and recommend effective solutions.
The Deputy Speaker made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “Haor Disaster: Relevance of the Book ‘Chashabhushar Shontan’ and the Way Forward” as the chief guest.
The seminar was organised by Netrakona Journalists Forum Dhaka at Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.
The event featured extensive discussions on natural disasters in the haor region, the struggles of farmers, sustainable embankment management, the impacts of climate change and future development planning.
“I am a son of the haor,” Barrister Kayser Kamal said.
“My birth and upbringing took place in the middle of the haor region. From my childhood, I have closely witnessed the suffering, struggles and deprivation of the people there. Our farmers and cultivators constantly fight natural disasters while making a significant contribution to the national economy. Yet, since independence, very few effective and sustainable initiatives have been taken for the haor region,” he said.
He observed that discussions on haor issues usually emerge only after major damage occurs while long-term solutions remain neglected.
“When losses occur, only then do discussions about the haor begin. But permanent solutions require research-based planning and practical initiatives,” he said.
Referring to the book ‘Chashabhushar Shontan’, the Deputy Speaker said it vividly portrays the realities of the haor region, the struggles of its people and the multidimensional impacts of disasters.
He said such research-oriented publications could play an important role in policymaking and raising public awareness.
Barrister Kamal also alleged widespread irregularities in the name of fish farming in haor areas.
“Through the so-called leasing system, a section of dishonest individuals is occupying haor resources. Genuine fishermen do not get leases. Large pits are being dug inside wetlands to create ponds, obstructing the natural flow of water,” he said.
“As a result, farmers are being severely affected and have long been subjected to neglect and exploitation.”
He further said that haor farmers are deprived of fair prices for their produce and are also unable to catch fish because of the leasing system.
“I myself am a witness to these injustices and inequalities,” he added.
The Deputy Speaker underscored the importance of effective water management, science-based research, innovation of technologies suitable for early seed plantation and preparing accurate lists of genuinely affected people in the haor region.
“Since independence, the country has been run within a fixed framework. Obstacles emerge at every step. Therefore, everyone must come forward in unity,” he said.
He also called for collective efforts to build a humane Bangladesh in line with the spirit and aspirations behind the country’s independence.
Among others, lawmaker Anwarul Haque, journalists, researchers, writers, distinguished citizens and stakeholders related to the haor region attended the seminar.
Speakers at the event called for coordinated initiatives to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of people living in the haor areas.