Some 28.5 per cent people in the country’s haor areas are unemployed, a study has found.
Excessive fishing and lack of crop rotation are harming the ecosystem of haor areas, creating crises, the study titled ‘Governance at Haor Areas and Rights of Haor People in Bangladesh’ revealed this at a seminar in the capital on Saturday.
The research, conducted by Human Development and Research Centre (HDRC) with the support of Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), further showed that corruption in the haor areas occurs during construction and renovation of crop protection embankments and in lease payments.
Dr Abul Barakat, Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka (DU), disclosed the findings at the programme organised by ALRD with its Executive Director Shamsul Huda in the chair.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) Chief Executive Advocate Syeda Rizwana Hasan, among others, was present on the occasion.
The study also found that 54 per cent people in the haor areas depend on agriculture and 13 per cent are involved in business.
Although the wealthy leaseholders grabbed the haors legally, the real owners of the wetland are supposed to be the poor and fishermen, the study mentioned.
It recommended that people responsible for corruption be brought to book immediately.
To root out corruption, the construction work of embankments must be completed within February 28 each year and red alert should be issued by April 15, the study suggests, adding that coordination among land, water and fisheries ministries are a must in this regard.
Speaking at the event, Dr Abul Barakat said micro and macro projects should be taken for developing robust infrastructure in the areas.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the leasing system should be scrapped to ensure rights of the haor people.
Pointing out the extreme lack of good governance in the haor areas, she also laid emphasis on proper education and treatment for the inhabitants of wetland.
