Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Saturday called for a complete end to the leasing system in the country’s haor (wetland) regions, asserting that no haor should be leased out as these water bodies belong to local communities whose rights must be safeguarded.

“A discriminatory system has long been allowed to operate around the haors. Even now, about 29 per cent of people in these regions live below the poverty line,” she said while speaking at a discussion titled ‘Government Jalmahal Management Policy 2009: Inequality and Mismanagement in the Haor Region’, held at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Farida criticised the fragmented control over haor management, stating that different ministries hold jurisdiction over various haors. She pointed out that most are under the Land Ministry, which primarily focuses on revenue collection through leasing rather than community welfare or ecological protection.

Highlighting a case of policy misstep, she said the construction of an “all-weather road” in Mithamain, Kishoreganj, has caused extensive environmental damage – demonstrating the harmful consequences of poorly planned development in ecologically sensitive zones.

The adviser also voiced strong concern over illegal and destructive fishing practices. “While we’ve banned current nets, another harmful method known as ‘China-duari’ has emerged. These too must be immediately prohibited,” she urged.

She emphasised the need to designate specific haor areas as protected sanctuaries to help conserve endangered fish species. “Biological management will be a crucial step in ensuring the long-term survival of the haor ecosystem,” she said.

The discussion was presided over by Rasheda K Choudhury, convener of the environmental advocacy group Dharitri Rakkhay Amra (DHARA). Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian and former Secretary and ex-Chairman of the National River Conservation Commission Dr Mujibur Rahman Howlader also spoke at the event.