Nature and Life - Episode 183 (Tanguar Haor)

Bangladesh is the largest delta of the world.
Geographical position and seasonal diversity have made this country unique.
Bangladesh is one of the most waterlogged countries of the world.
The Meghalaya is in the north-eastern side of this country.
The freshwater flow from there has created a unique arrangement of wetland.
Tanguar Haor is an inseparable part of that arrangement.
Tanguar Haor is famous throughout the world as a reservoir of aquatic biodiversity.
Due to availability of water flow throughout the year, it has richer biodiversity compared to other Haors.
This flow of water occurs through rivers and canals.
The flow of water increases in monsoon.
The Haor becomes so full of water that it looks almost like a sea.
With multitude of Hijal and Karach, the Haor turns into a swamp forest; as if those trees are floating over water.
But the water dries up in winter.
Sediments, coming from upstream, fertilize the soil of Haor.
As a result, plenty of aquatic plants grow in Haor.
Some of these aquatic plants are floating and some are submerged.
Among aquatic plants Water lily, Lotus, Chandmala, Water chestnut are remarkable.
Lotuses, with large leaves, look beautiful on the Haor water.
Water Chestnut and Chandmala create a green layer on water.
Colorful flower bloom on them.
These aquatic plants decompose with seasonal shift and make soil fertile.
Hijal, Karach and Barun are mentionable trees of Haor.
These trees usually grow on the bank of wetlands.
Various colorful Butterflies, Grasshoppers and insects roam on these trees.
These aquatic plants provide numerous organisms with food and shelter.
Various species of fishes are available in the Haor.
Such as: Climbing Perch, Air, Kuria labeo, Pabda catfish etc.
Along with these, various invertebrates like: Shrimp, Snail, Oyster etc. are also available that are good source of food for birds.
As a result, along with resident birds, numerous migratory birds come to this Haor in winter.
The whole area becomes sonorous with the calls of those birds.
These birds are a vital part of the Haor ecosystem.
The population of Cormorant, Purple Swamphen and various species of Ducks & Egrets is richer in here compared to other places.
Beautiful Purple Swamphens forage for feeding in flock on aquatic plants.
Their purple color beautifies the Haor.
Cormorants can be seen warming themselves in the sunshine.
Most of the time they dive to forage for feeding.
Grebes can also be seen foraging for feeding in here.
They are expert fish hunter.
Various species of Egrets are common in here.
Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Indian Pond Heron are remarkable among them.
They sharply observe their prey and hunt if they get chance.
Various species of Ducks are one of the inhabitants of Tanguar Haor.
Common coot duck, Pochard duck, Garganey, Ruddy shelduck, are mentionable among them.
They usually roam in large flocks.
They can also be seen roaming alone or as couple.
Most of the time they feed on aquatic plants, fishes, Snails etc. in flock.
They also roost in here.
Some of their flocks may contain thousands of Ducks.
Flock of Lesser Whistling duck can be seen roaming in Haor.
They roam together with other birds.
If terrified, they also fly away with other birds.
Reed lands of Tanguar Haor is a safe home to wildlife.
Due to the presence of large number of insects, Grassbird, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Warbler, Bee eater etc. birds roam in reed lands.
They sometimes roam outside reed lands for feeding.
Critically endangered Pallas's fish eagle can still be seen in Tanguar Haor.
Large trees of the wetland are the perfect roosting place for them.
Various species of amphibians and reptiles can also be seen in this vast Haor.
Such combination of flora and fauna has made Tanguar Haor a unique wetland.
Moreover, it’s a huge repository of fishes.
For such unique features, it has been declared as Ramsar site.
Human life is closely related to this enormous ecosystem.
Tanguar Haor has merged with the life and tradition of local people.
But human habitation has been increasing around the Haor since the middle of last century.
Unplanned harvesting of fishes, trees and aquatic plants are increasing gradually.
Thus, population of birds and wildlife is decreasing alarmingly due to the disturbance in the natural balance of the ecosystem.
Resident and migratory birds are threatened due to illegal hunting.
Resident fishes are decreasing due to continuous use of Gill net, and migratory birds are being entrapped.
This is impacting the whole ecosystem.
So, we all have to be cautious to conserve the huge natural resources of Tanguar Haor.
Befitting initiatives need to be taken to conserve the biodiversity of this internationally important place.
Only then we’ll get more financial and ecological benefits from this wetland.