Urgent actions are needed to safeguard migratory bird sanctuaries across Bangladesh.

Hakaluki Haor, one of the largest freshwater wetlands in Bangladesh, spanning five upazilas in Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts, was once a safe haven for migratory birds during winter.

South Asia’s largest wetland ecosystem, the Hakaluki haor, is currently under threat as its fish population and aquatic plants is in decline due to illegal fishing.

The number of migratory birds at Hakaluki Haor has been gradually decreasing over the last five years for a variety of reasons.

Exactly when the world went into a complete standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak, it was also time for Bengal loach or Rani fish to breed. Good weather and total absence of people from the haors due to a shutdown resulted in their return.

When farmers were looking forward to some earnings by fishing, the Hakaluki haor in Moulvibazar has turned into a contaminated wetland with dead fish floating ashore.

About 1,276 tonnes of fish die in haor areas of four districts following last month’s flash flood caused by incessant rain, a government report says.

Fishermen can catch fish in Hakaluki haor in Moulvibazar soon as its water becomes normal, an official says.

Fish at the rich Hakaluki haor start dying, spreading unbearable stench and posing health hazard following the flash flood caused by last month’s incessant rain.

Though unusual, fishermen are catching hilsa in Hakaluki Haor, the largest wetland in the country.

In Sylhet's Hakaluki Haor a new generation of villagers is discovering the economic potential of duck farming. Many previously