Dhaka, Dec 10 (V7N)- Farida Akhtar, Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, has called for an immediate cessation of leasing in haor areas, emphasizing the adverse impacts on local livelihoods and ecosystems. She made these remarks while addressing the National Haor Dialogue 2024, held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

Speaking as the chief guest, Farida Akhtar highlighted the challenges faced by haor regions. "There is no question of granting leases that destroy people's lives and livelihoods," she stated. She also lamented the loss of indigenous rice varieties in haors, replaced by hybrids that necessitate pesticide use, harming livestock and aquatic life.

The advisor expressed concerns over mechanized harvesting methods disrupting the haor's delicate ecological balance, particularly affecting fish populations.

The dialogue was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIC), Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), and the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA). Haor protection movement activists from across the country participated in the event, underscoring the urgency of sustainable haor management to protect these vital wetlands.

The discussions reiterated the importance of preserving haor ecosystems for their role in supporting biodiversity, agriculture, and local communities.

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