Deputy speaker calls for task force to protect haor regions

Barrister Kayser Kamal, deputy speaker of the parliament and BNP lawmaker for the Netrokona-1 constituency, today said since independence, no effective and lasting measures have been taken to address the challenges of the haor region.

“Although people of the haor areas make a vital contribution to the country’s food security and economy, they have long faced neglect and inequality,” he added.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a seminar, titled “Haor Disasters: Relevance and Action on the Book ‘Chashabhusar Shontan’”, held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. The event was organised by the Netrokona Journalists Forum–Dhaka.

The deputy speaker added, “There are also serious questions about the effectiveness of those working on haor-related issues.”

He said initiatives are often taken without consulting the affected communities. Due to bureaucratic complexities, even local members of parliament are frequently not consulted.

Emphasising the need for coordinated, long-term and sustainable action, he called for the formation of a special task force to protect the lives and livelihoods of people in the haor region.

Professor Anu Muhammad said certain past development interventions in the haor region have negatively affected biodiversity.

The seminar was chaired by Rafiq Muhammad, president of the Netrokona Journalists Forum-Dhaka. Lyricist Shahidullah Faraizi was present as discussant. Writer and journalist Muhammad Mofazzal presented the keynote paper. Among others, Netrokona-2 MP Anwarul Haque attended as a special guest.