Speakers at a workshop have said that the Haor and wetlands of Bangladesh have immense potential for strengthening the country’s economy. If the Haor and wetlands of the country come under proper management and the resources of the reservoirs can be used properly, Bangladesh will advance economically.
However, the prospects and problems of Haor and wetland should be covered in mass media properly for the way-out.
Delivering his presidential speech at the event, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Director General (additional secretary) of the Department of Bangladesh Haor & Wetlands Development; said that the role of mass media and journalists is essential to exploit the immense potential of Haor and wetland. He called upon the media and journalists to play a vital role in conserving and developing the Haor and wetland by providing news items.
The department arranged the workshop titled ‘100 Years of Haor and Wetland’ at the conference room of the department at Panthapath in the capital on Sunday. ‘Amra Nari’ and Marine Journalists’ Network-MJN were co-organisers of the event.
Md. Akhtaruzzaman presented the keynote paper at the workshop, while Ehsanul Haque Jasim, vice president of Marine Journalists’ Network-MJN; presented an article on ‘Role of Media in Conservation and Development of Haor’ at the event moderated by MM Zahidur Rahman Biplob, founder of 'Amra Nari'.
Dr SM Tanvir Hasan, water resources expert of the Institute of Water Modeling (IWM); Raju Ahmad former general secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU); Muhammad Anowarul Hoque, secretary general of ‘Save Our Sea’; Nasima Akter Shoma, President of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Samity (BANASAS); Rashad Ahamad, president of Marine Journalists’ Network-MJN; and Kafayet Shakil, general secretary of the organization; took part in the discussion.
In his speech, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, DG of the Department of Bangladesh Haor & Wetlands Development; said that this department is working sincerely to conserve the Haor and wetlands of the country. Mass media can play a vital role in the conservation and development of the Haor and wetlands. .
He believes that sediment and siltation are the major problem in the Haor and wetlands at present. At least one billion metric tons of sediment falls every year. As a result, rivers and wetlands of the country are filling up.
