Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Poribesh O Haor Unnoyon Sangsta and Nagorik Uddyog have placed a 16-point set of recommendations to address ongoing floods, waterlogging, crop loss and overall disaster conditions in the Haor region.
The organisations presented the proposals at a press conference on Sunday morning at the National Press Club’s Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall in Dhaka.
The recommendations call for year-round financial support for real farmers affected by early floods in the Haor region. They also demand interest-free loans and rescheduling of existing debts. The groups stressed monthly food and cash assistance for affected families until the next harvest.
They further proposed government procurement of Boro rice directly from farmers. The plan includes community-based threshing centres, supply of rice drying machines and creation of alternative employment opportunities.
For sustainable management of the Haor ecosystem, the organisations urged scientific dredging of rivers, canals and beels to ensure proper water flow. They also called for an end to unplanned road and embankment construction and strict action against corruption in crop protection embankments.
The recommendations include removal of unnecessary sluice gates to reduce waterlogging, effective measures to prevent lightning strikes and opening of water bodies (jalmahals).
They also stressed long-term planning using climate funds for research and eco-friendly development projects to improve living standards in the region.
Poribesh O Haor Unnoyon Sangsta President Kashmir Reza read out the proposal at the event. BAPA President Nur Mohammad Talukder chaired the conference, while organisation treasurer Aminur Rasul conducted it.
Kashmir Reza said around 20 percent of the country’s total rice production comes from the Haor region. He warned that crop loss in this area directly affects national food security. He said at least 75,000 hectares of Boro paddy were submerged this season due to three rounds of rainfall between mid-March and late April and breaches of crop protection embankments in different Haors. Around 800 hectares were additionally damaged by hailstorms.
He said waterlogging was the main reason for this year’s losses, which had not been seen at this intensity before. He blamed reduced river navigability, unplanned embankments and roads, delays in embankment construction, irregularities and corruption.
He urged that Haor issues must be treated not only as natural disasters but also as policy and management failures.
BAPA President Nur Mohammad Talukder said floods and crop losses occur every year in Haor areas, but no effective solution has been found. He questioned why flood control remains unsuccessful despite heavy spending and called for accountability from responsible authorities.
Executive Director of Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) Shamsul Huda said the problem in Haor areas is human-made rather than natural.
He said unplanned roads and embankments block natural water flow, triggering early floods. He called for removal of such structures if needed and restoration of natural flow.
Shamsul also demanded an end to waterbody lease trading, subsidies for farmers, modern equipment support and safe working conditions for women workers.
Disaster management expert Gowhar Naeem Wara said the current leasing system shifts the full burden of crop loss onto farmers. He said this increases poverty, disrupts education and raises child marriage rates. He also urged fair and transparent listing of affected people.
Others speaking at the event included former Communist Party Of Bangladesh General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, BAPA Joint Secretary Halimdad Khan, Executive Member Hafizul Islam, Parveen Akhtar, Haji Sheikh Ansar Ali, Harun or Rashid, Farid Hasan and former additional secretary Umar Khayyam, among others.
They emphasised maintaining natural water flow in Haor areas, stopping sluice gate construction, preparing a science-based master plan and ensuring compensation for genuine affected farmers.
