United News of Bangladesh

Anxious days are returning for farmers in the haor areas of Sunamganj as work on crop protection dams remains sluggish, even three weeks after the official deadline for starting construction passed. Although construction has begun in some haors, the overall pace has been slow, fuelling frustration among farmers who depend on the timely completion of embankments to protect their Boro crops from early floods. Many fear that continued delays could leave vast tracts of farmland vulnerable during the coming monsoon. According to the Water Development Board, several factors have hindered timely implementation. Delays in the recession of water from the haors and complications in forming Project Implementation Committee (PIC) have stalled work in multiple upazilas, including Tahirpur, Derai and Shalla. Fertiliser crunch threatens Kushtia’s onion boom despite high prices Officials also pointed out that administrative activities were disrupted earlier as officials remained busy with election-related duties. Despite these setbacks, officials said construction would gain momentum within a few days and that all projects are scheduled for completion by February 28. Mamun Hawlader, Executive Engineer of the Sunamganj Water Development Board, said that under the KABITA (Kajer Binimoye Taka) policy, a total of 705 projects have been approved for the construction of crop protection dams across 12 upazilas in the 2025–2026 fiscal year. An allocation of Tk 137 crore has been made to build approximately 500.5 kilometres of embankments. Although the construction work was formally inaugurated on December 15, progress has been limited. As of January 6, work had started on only about 400 projects, with overall progress standing at just 15 per cent. Bumper harvest, plunging prices; Chandpur’s potato market in crisis Officials said the remaining projects would begin within a week. A visit to several haor areas revealed that work has yet to begin on most approved projects, while some Project Implementation Committees are still waiting for official work orders. The slow pace has drawn criticism from the Haor Bachao Andolan. Leaders of the organisation recently held a press conference expressing concern that, despite the official start date, construction has not commenced in most upazilas. They also alleged irregularities in the formation of PICs, unnecessary projects and additional allocations, raising doubts over whether the work can be completed within the stipulated timeframe. Bijon Sen Roy, general secretary of the central committee of the Haor Bachao Andolon, said, “We are very worried about the dam work this time. The progress is very disappointing. If action is not taken now, it could spell bad news for the people of the haor.” In response, Executive Engineer Mamun Hawlader assured that monitoring has been intensified and that dam construction will be completed on schedule. According to the Department of Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Development, Bangladesh has a total of 373 haors as of 2026. These haors are spread across seven districts in the north-eastern and north-central regions, covering approximately 858,460 hectares. As haor waters recede, Sunnamganj farmers sow hope in every field Of them, 95 haors are located in Sunamganj district alone, spanning about 268,531 hectares. As the agricultural season advances, farmers across Sunamganj continue to watch the embankment work closely, hoping that construction will accelerate before rising waters put their livelihoods at risk.

As the floodwaters of Madhyanagar’s haors slowly recede, farmers have embarked on the crucial boro rice planting season, working relentlessly to ensure timely transplantation. The effort has drawn participation from all sections of haor-side communities. With examinations concluded, students have joined the fields with some delivering midday meals to labourers, while others assist with collecting seedlings to support the planting process. A field visit to Tanguar Haor, Ghoradoba Haor, Shaldigha Haor and other wetlands in the upazila revealed farmers actively engaged across expansive tracts of land. Read more: Rice prices keep food inflation high despite slight easing in Nov: GED According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, the target for this season is the cultivation of boro rice on 13,640 hectares. To date, approximately 2,815 hectares have been successfully planted. Nazar Hossain, a farmer from Nishchintpur village in Tanguar Haor’s Banshikunda South Union, pointed out that delayed water recession has hindered transplantation across all fields. “Once the water fully recedes, we will be able to complete planting swiftly,” he said. Similarly, Ghoradoba Haor farmer Abdul Majid said, “We are planting rice in the fields every day. This is the final period for boro transplantation, but the slow receding of water has caused some delay.” Meanwhile, Noor Alam, Assistant Engineer at the Upazila Water Development Board, reported that work has begun on strengthening the haor-protection embankments. “As water levels drop, we will fully resume construction. We hope the project will be completed efficiently in the near future,” he added. Upazila Agriculture Officer Ashayad Bin Khalil Rahat emphasised that, under government incentives, high-quality seeds and fertiliser have been distributed to marginal and smallholder farmers to boost production. Read more: Haor farmers reap early gains as mustard cultivation flourishes in Sunamganj With the normalisation of water levels, he assured, boro rice transplantation will be completed within the scheduled timeframe. The ongoing activity, Rahat said, underscores the resilience of haor communities, blending tradition and collective effort to meet seasonal agricultural demands despite climatic uncertainties.

A vast golden carpet has spread across the haor wetlands of Madhyanagar upazila in Sunamganj, as a bumper mustard harvest this season brings renewed hope and financial relief to local farmers. The low-lying fields, riverbanks and wetlands of Banshikunda Uttar and Dakshin, Chamardani and Madhyanagar Sadar unions are now awash with bright yellow mustard flowers, transforming the landscape into a striking spectacle that is also drawing curious visitors. Mustard, widely known as a low-cost and high-profit oilseed crop with a short growing cycle, has gained growing popularity among farmers in the haor region. According to the Madhyanagar upazila agriculture office, mustard was cultivated on around 550 hectares of land this season, with officials optimistic about meeting, and possibly exceeding production targets. Read more: Chuadanga farmers thrive as cauliflower yields hit new high For many farmers, the shift towards mustard has been driven by rising production costs and price uncertainty surrounding paddy and other staple crops. “We often suffer losses from rice cultivation due to high input costs and unstable market prices,” said one farmer. “Mustard needs less investment, grows quickly and sells well. It is safer for us.” As a result, mustard cultivation has expanded significantly in fallow lands and haor-adjacent areas this year, making productive use of land that often remains uncultivated after the monsoon. The agriculture office said sowing typically begins at the end of Kartik, with harvesting completed by mid-Poush, allowing farmers to earn returns early in the season. Even before harvesting the seeds, farmers generate additional income by selling mustard flowers and leaves, which are used locally to prepare dishes such as bora (fritters) and leafy vegetables. After harvesting, the dried stalks are sold as fuel, further adding to household earnings. Read more: Sirajganj’s mustard fields bloom into golden seas, promise bumper harvest Upazila Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Akmal Hossain said the outlook remains positive. “Like previous years, the mustard production target has been achieved. If there is no major pest or disease outbreak, farmers can expect a bumper harvest,” he said. He said timely distribution of fertilisers and seeds under government incentive programmes ensured smooth cultivation this season. Across Bangladesh, mustard cultivation has emerged as a profitable rabi-season crop, particularly in districts such as Magura and Narail. With the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) keeps on developing high-yielding mustard varieties to support the farmers and keep up the encouraging growth trend, farmers have responded equally with the adoption of improved seeds and modern techniques. Mustard farming is playing an increasingly vital role in Bangladesh’s agricultural economy with the country striving to reduce its dependence on imported edible oil, officials said. Read more: Naogaon farmers make a fortune on mustard and honey

Despite clear instructions from higher authorities, concerns are growing over the increasing number of crop protection dam projects in the haor (wetland) areas of Sunamganj district. Crop protection dams are built to protect crops from early floods and landslides. Haors are wetland ecosystems found in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. Sunamganj district is famous for its numerous haors. Recently, the Adviser to the Ministry of Environment and Climate, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, and the Chairman of the district committee for crop protection dams, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Ilias Mia, visited the region and instructed local officials to avoid taking up unnecessary projects. However, it appears that these directives are not being followed, with the number of approved projects continuing to rise. Jashore florists expect Tk 100 crore flower sales despite weather setbacks According to local government records, the number of approved crop protection dam projects in the haor region had ballooned to 675 by December 12, 2024, even though the initial plan was for 600 projects. It is likely the number may increase even further, potentially reaching 700 projects. This surge in projects comes despite previous statements by the authorities that only essential projects would be undertaken this year. The Water Development Board has also sought an initial allocation of Tk 125 crore from the government for the renovation and repair of 534 kilometers of crop protection embankments across 53 haors in the current season. The funds will be used to repair and renovate existing dams, as well as to address major breaches in the haor. The construction was set to begin on December 15 and is expected to be completed by December 28. Local residents and environmental groups have expressed concerns that many of these projects are unnecessary and could harm the natural balance of the haor ecosystem. Bitter cold grips Meherpur: Over 1,200 hospitalized, lack of warm clothing intensifies crisis In particular, the Haor Bachao Andolan (Save the Haors Movement) has protested against the ongoing increase in projects. The Haor Bachao Andolan held press conferences, rallies, and submitted memorandums, claiming that many of the dams are excessive and wasteful. One of the key allegations is that funds are being misused by approving projects for existing dams that are either intact or only slightly damaged, but are allocated as new, full-scale projects. It is also claimed that local political leaders and activists are using these projects as a way to access government funds, with some involved in bribery and corruption. Despite these allegations, the Sunamganj Water Development Board insists that it is taking extra care this time to ensure the proper implementation of the projects. Executive Engineer Mamun Hawlader said that there are strict instructions to avoid irregularities, and that the board is closely monitoring the process. However, local leaders remain skeptical. Senior members of the Haor Bachao Movement, including Jasim Uddin, have warned that the system remains vulnerable to manipulation. Key sections of Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in dire need of renovation Jasim accused some officials of using various tactics to approve unnecessary projects and divert funds. He also claimed that projects are being approved secretly, without transparency, which could lead to further corruption. Talking to UNB, Advocate Shishir Monir, a Supreme Court lawyer, called for greater public oversight of the project approval process. He suggested that the project list should be made public, and farmers should have a say in the decisions about the dams, through public hearings or social media platforms. He argued that this would prevent unnecessary projects and ensure that government funds are used effectively, without harming the environment. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Ilias Mia said that the government is committed to reducing corruption in the implementation of the crop protection dam projects. He said that monitoring committees have been formed across the district, and these committees will submit reports to ensure transparency and accountability. The controversy surrounding the crop protection dam projects highlights the ongoing tension between development needs, environmental concerns, and the proper use of government funds. While the authorities maintain that measures are in place to avoid mismanagement, local communities and environmentalists are adamant about the need to remain vigilant, demanding greater transparency and adherence to environmental guidelines. There are 95 haors in Sunamganj district, spread across 10 of its 11 upazilas.

Once the indigenous varieties of paddy were cultivated on a large scale in haor areas in Sunamganj. But with the passage of time the native paddies have almost disappeared thanks to the arrival of high-yielding hybrid varieties. Local farmers and others involved with agriculture blamed the growing dominance of multinational companies and hybrid paddy cultivation. Just two decades ago, the haors such as Shani, Matian, Mahalir and Bordi Gurmas in Tahirpur upazila of the district had been thriving with various native varieties of Boro paddy, grown to shield against floods. Indigenous Boro paddy was easy to cultivate with no fertilizers or pesticides. These varieties were resilient to climatic changes, surviving excessive rainfall or drought with minimal impact and even didn’t need irrigation. However, in recent years, the rise of hybrid paddy and the aggressive dominance by multinational companies are pushing the traditional varieties out of the fields. In search of higher yields, farmers are shifting to hybrid paddy as the government is encouraging hybrid paddy cultivation to ensure food security and self-sufficiency. Despite this shift, Tahirpur Upazila Agriculture Office continues to advise farmers to preserve seeds of local paddy varieties alongside high-yield hybrids. Among the native varieties that have already disappeared from the haor region are Rata, Gachi Shail, Najishail, Lakai, Pani Shail, Bor, Tepy, Rangila Tepy, Rajashail, Begun Bichi, and Boro Zira. These varieties, once used to prepare delicious dishes for guests, were not only known for their taste but also their nutritional value. Read: Govt to procure 51,973 MT paddy from Khulna amid bumper harvest Local agriculture officials said that the low yield of indigenous paddy has caused farmers to lose interest in cultivating. Now varieties like BRRI Dhan-28, BRRI Dhan-29, BRRI-1203, and Shakti are now the dominant crops in the haors. In Shani Haor of the upazila, farmer Jasim Uddin said that cultivating indigenous paddy used to be cheaper and during harvest time, the village was filled with traditional snacks like pithas (rice cakes), payesh (rice pudding), chira (flattened rice), khoi (puffed rice), and muri (puffed rice). These celebrations have now disappeared. He also said that indigenous paddy cultivation did not require excessive use of fertilizers or pesticides. Echoing Jasim, another famer Satyar Ray said that they didn’t need to buy paddy seeds from the market in the past. They would simply store some of their harvest to use as seeds for the following year. However, now they must purchase expensive seeds every year, and they also need to apply large amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, and water to achieve satisfactory yields, he recalled. Asaduzzaman, plant conservation officer at Tahirpur Upazila Agriculture Office, shared that farmers are opting for high-yielding paddy varieties to get more benefits. Read more: Bumper Aman paddy yield brings joy to farmers in Chapainawabganj He said that during various training sessions organised by the agriculture office, they encourage farmers to preserve indigenous paddy seeds along with hybrid varieties. Despite the lower yield, indigenous paddy is sold at a higher price in the market, he observed.

Tourism businesses in Sunamganj are bouncing back gradually after suffering significant losses for over two months due to three rounds of flood and political instability. Restrictions in several tourist areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts redirected tourists to Sunamganj’s famed Haor region, including Tanguar Haor and the Tahirpur border areas, providing a much-needed boost to local businesses. Houseboat owners said they suffered losses amounting to around Tk 50 crore during this period. Tour operators said they are now facing overwhelming demand, with all houseboats fully booked in advance. Travel ban hits tourism businesses in CHT hard Popular tourist destinations like Tanguar Haor, Shaheed Siraj Lake (Niladri), Shimul Garden, and the Jadukata River are now filled with visitors. Aziz Sarkar, a banker from Rajshahi, expressed his amazement after exploring the region for the first time. “The Tanguar Haor has amazed us greatly. We are overjoyed. We have never seen such large haor before. The diversity of the haor, especially the settlements on its shores, and how they survive and live, has left a mark on our minds,” said Aziz, who came with a group of 36 people, most of whom are bank employees. Tourist Mahbuba Rahman Sathi, a tourist from Dhaka, said, “We had been planning to visit Tanguar Haor for a long time. The weather is good now, so we came. Our group consists of 12 family members. Sylhet is always beautiful, but the haor is even more beautiful. We’ve been touring in a houseboat since morning. It feels great.” However, the region’s poor road infrastructures are challenge for visitors, said some tourists. Moulvibazar Travel Guide: Explore the Top Tourist Attractions “The road from Sunamganj to Tahirpur is in bad shape. Women and children, in particular, had a hard time getting here. These things stand as obstacles to the development of tourist areas,” said Manjurul Islam Soumik from Feni. He also raised concerns about the lack of visible tourist police and disconnected phone numbers listed on safety sign boards. Responding to these complaints, Habibur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of the Tourist Police in Sunamganj, explained that his mobile phone had been out of service due to damage but is now operational. “We have 8 members. The tourist police are working round the clock to ensure the safety of tourists,” he said. Arian Emon, CEO of Haimanti Houseboat, said, “We have incurred losses of around Tk 50 crore in the past two months. Currently, due to the restrictions in Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari tourists are coming to the Haor. All our boats are fully booked. Many are still trying to book. There’s now a festive atmosphere in the Haor,” he said. Trip to Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj: Majestic aquatic beauty soaking the horizon

Seventy percent of the Boro paddy in haor areas have been harvested, the Ministry of Agriculture (Bangladesh) has said. In Sylhet, 55 percent paddy was harvested, in Moulvibazar 70 percent was harvested, in Habiganj 67 percent, in Sunamganj 73 percent, in Kishoreganj 58 percent, in Netrokona 77 percent, and in Brahmanbaria 67 percent of Boro paddy was harvested, according to a press release of the ministry today. Boro paddies were sown on 452,000 hectare of land in haor areas of seven districts this year.And a total of 953,000 hectares of Boro paddy has been cultivated in the highland outside of the haors. The production target is 40 lakh tonnes of rice, said the release. Read More: Record Boro production to be achieved this year: Agriculture Minister Recently, Bangladesh's Agriculture Minster Abdur Razzaque launched the Boro paddy harvest in haor areas of Sunamganj ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. At the time, he said if there was no natural disaster and rice can be brought home on time, there will be record production in Boro this year. He said only in Sunamganj, around 1,000 combined paddy harvesters are working, adding that there will be no problem in harvesting paddy this time. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Boro has been sown on 50 lakh hectares of land across the country this year, while the production target is 21.5 million metric tonnes of rice. Read More: Govt to procure 16.50 lakh tonnes Boro paddy, rice In the last fiscal year 2021-22, Boro rice was sown on 48,14,000 hectares of land, and about 20.2 million tonnes of rice were produced in Bangladesh, the release said.

A 12-year-old schoolgirl died as a boat capsized in Burikeyari haor in Fenchuganj upazila of Sylhet early Wednesday, said police. The deceased was identified as Morshed Jahan Ferdousi, of the upazila. She was a sixth grader of Fariza Khatun Girls’ High School. Read: Lightning strike leaves fisherman dead in Sylhet A boat carrying 17-18 people including Ferdousi sank in the haor around 9 am, said Md Shafayet Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Fenchuganj police station. Although locals rescued the other people the girl drowned in the haor. Later, police fished out the body, said the OC.

Body of a Rural Electrification Board (REB) officer, who went missing in a haor faced with  with a heavy current while fishing Monday, was recovered in the district Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Hossain, son of Nur Mohammad at Char Jabbar union in Subarnachar upazila of Noakhali district. He was assistant enforcement coordinator (ANC) of Mithamoin zonal office in Kishoreganj Palli Bidyut Samity. Kalindra Nath Goldar, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mithamoin police station, said the REB officer went to a Haor near Itna-Mithamoin-Astagram road to catch fish with net around 6 pm Monday. A heavy current took him away when he threw the net  in the Haor as  the net was tied with his hand, the OC said. Read: Missing tourist’s body fished out of Kishoreganj haor On information, divers of fire service and civil defense rushed to the spot and carried out the salvation work but failed to find him initially. The divers finally were able to find body of the missing officer some 200 meters away from the road Tuesday, the OC added.

Two poultry farmers went missing after their small boat capsized in Chapati haor (back swamp) during a storm in the district's Derai upazila on Wednesday night, police said. The missing farmers have been identified as Mujibur Rahman, 45, and Anhar Mia, 23, of the upazila. Read: Missing tourist’s body fished out of Kishoreganj haor Locals said that three farmers went to Chapati haor on a small engine-driven boat to collect food for ducks on Wednesday afternoon and it capsized during a storm around 9.30pm. Though locals rescued one of the farmers, Parvez Miah, and rushed him to a nearby hospital in the Kolyarkapan market area, the two others couldn't be traced. Akram Ali, officer-in-charge of Derai police station, said a team of fire service divers carried out a search and rescue operation till 12 noon on Thursday, but couldn’t find the missing duo.