Haor Region Of Bangladesh Research Articles

BackgroundThe HAOR region, a 19,998 square kilometer wetland ecosystem in northeastern Bangladesh, is renowned for its rich fishing, biodiversity, and boro-rice cultivation. However, its people are poorer due to wet monsoon seasonality and most of them opted for microcredits to meet the food insecurity situation. The study aims to examine how microcredit, social safety net programs (SSNPs), flash floods, and COVID-19 simultaneously impact poverty reduction.MethodsFollowing a cross-sectional study design, primary data were gathered from 634 beneficiaries and 273 non-beneficiary households across 30 rural clusters in the HAOR region of Bangladesh. Using multiple binary logistic regression models, the study assessed the effects of microcredits, SSNPs, floods, and COVID-19 on poverty conditions.ResultsThe hardcore poverty status of the study households was estimated based on the severe and moderate food insecurity conditions. It was found that 32.08% of households were poor (hardcore) in 2022, while it was 37.10% in 2019. According to the separate models, microcredit and SSNPs had a favorable effect on non-poverty conditions, raising non-poverty status for families receiving SSNPs and microcredit by 43 and 73%, respectively. Floods and COVID-19, on the other hand, had a detrimental effect on the graduation from hardcore poverty. According to the combined model, there was a substantial impact of microcredit status, flood catastrophes, and COVID-19 on non-poverty status. Microcredit increases the chance of not being impoverished by 58%, whereas flood and COVID-19 decrease it by 35 and 41%, respectively. It was also shown that whereas the SSNP receiving status was significant in the individual model, it was insignificant in the combined model.ConclusionMicrocredit and SSNP can reduce poverty among residents of the Haor region in Bangladesh. Policymakers should improve the accessibility and widespread implementation of these initiatives as well as resilience to flash floods.

The present research aims to investigate the coping mechanisms adopted by local residents in the haor region of Bangladesh in response to poverty and flooding. The study was conducted in Galgali Mallikpur village of Mohonganj Upazila, Netrokona and employed observations, FGDs, household questionnaire surveys, and KIIs to collect data from the field. Mallikpur village is frequently flooded during the rainy season, impacting virtually all dwellings (95 percent). 43.2 percent of the households in this village use sandbags to protect their homes against floods, while 20.1 percent use a local bamboo fence, and 17.3 percent raise the level of their homesteads. Seasonal migration (43.2 percent), loans (82.7 percent), and alternative economic sources (29 percent) are the coping and mitigation strategies taken by the families to deal with flood induced poverty. However, these initiatives do not assist Mallikpur inhabitants break the cycle of poverty: 93.75 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and has limited access to healthcare and education. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 13(2), 2024, P 49-62

There are a limited number of studies addressing the spatiotemporal variability of pre-monsoon flash floods and their driving forces in Bangladesh. This study examines long-term trends in temperature, rainfall, and the frequency and magnitude of flash floods in the five most vulnerable haor districts of northeastern Bangladesh. Temperature, rainfall, and surface water level datasets, up to 2018, were collected from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). Based on the normal distribution of these datasets observed in quantile-quantile (Q-Q) plots, regression models were used to analyze the long-term temperature trends. The models predict a gradual rise in maximum temperature, ranging from 1.06% to 1.94% over decadal periods. Additionally, an average annual rainfall increase of 4.1% at Sreemangal and 2.28% at Sylhet stations are forecasted. Analysis of historical data from the past sixty years shows a relatively lower peak river stage in tidal rivers compared to non-tidal river stations during pre-monsoon months. The frequency of peak surface water levels at six non-tidal and ten tidal river monitoring stations was estimated using Gumbel's probability estimation method. Frequency analysis suggests a high probability of flash floods across most floodplain areas, with a return period of five to ten years, based on flood danger levels established by government agencies. Furthermore, MODIS satellite imagery (with cloud cover <10%) from the peak flood months (March to May) between 2004 and 2017 was analyzed to assess the extent of flash floods in the study area. Geospatial analysis revealed temporal variations in peak flood extents across different locations. While no clear trends were observed in the frequency of flash floods, their magnitude has significantly increased in recent decades, potentially leading to greater losses in agriculture and property. The increased vulnerability to flash floods in the region can be attributed to several factors, including a rise in pre-monsoon heavy rainfall in the upstream hilly regions of Assam and Meghalaya, high sediment loads in Transboundary Rivers, drainage congestion, poorly designed and maintained flood control structures, and the absence of a reliable flash flood warning system. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 50(1-2): 33-50, June-December 2024

The Haor region of Bangladesh is an ecologically critical area that accommodates a large percentage of livestock farmers of the country. Exposure of this region to southwest monsoon and water flow from Indian hilly areas cause surface runoff and consequent flash floods from June to November. Flood leads to sickness, stray and death of animals, and as an adaption strategy, selling, all of which leads to halting the livestock farming and associated economic damage. Another challenge is the scarcity of feed and fodder, as the green grass on which livestock primarily feed is submerged during the flood. The scarcity of clean water is also a major issue in livestock rearing. However, an effective policy that integrates modern technology with indigenous knowledge and customs can alleviate the negative impacts to reduce the vulnerabilities of livestock in Haor during the flood. Herein, this study focuses on the idea of cooperative livestock shelters with proper housing, feeding, disease management, and feasible marketing and transportation of animals and animal products which could be a pivotal portion of that policy. Moreover, the concept of cooperative livestock shelters as a control measure to tackle the situation is outlined here which can be adapted widely with optional further improvement and engineering.

The study aims to make a comparative study of microcredits (formal and informal) in terms of interest rate, instalment types, payment, volume, purposes, users and impact on poverty alleviation in the economic lagging area of Bangladesh. In conducting the study, we used clusters sampling technique while the study area was divided into 23 clusters and size of respondents were determined using systematic probability proportionate to size and the UNICEF pencil-spin method was used to select the households randomly and finally a total 2340 households were surveyed with a semi-structured questionnaire where 780 households were treatment group who were not users of microcredit but eligible. The collected data were analyzed using a Z-test and factor analysis mainly. The findings showed that there is a significant difference between formal and informal credits in respect of interest rate, cost, instalments, number, volume, duration, and collateral. The borrowers preferred informal sources over formal sources and the study suggested redesigning the formal sources considering the socioeconomic condition of the Haor people. The study originally identified the socioeconomic characteristics of both formal and informal microcredits in Bangladesh. The study will directly help to achieve SDG-1(no poverty) and SDG -17(sustainable finance).

The study aims to construct the socio-economic profile of Hoar people in respect of micro-credit activities. Methodology: Primary data have been collected from 2340 households consisting of 1560 micro-credit borrowers and 780 non-borrowers from 30 clusters of Haor region of Bangladesh. It has also conducted 30 KII and 30 IDI to cross check the survey data. Z-test, F-test, t-test and factor analysis have been used in analysing the data. Findings: The Haor people live below the national and rural poverty levels. About 95% households have knowledge on micro-credits while 85.8% tried to get that support, 59.2% borrowed from formal, 18.4% from informal sources and 8.2% from the both. The reasons for exclusion from micro-credits are credit misappropriation, non-cooperation of authorities, bureaucratic complexity, budget limitations, ignorance and corruption. Other negative aspects are high interest rate, short term loan, insufficient amount, local loans are easier and client friendly, low cost and flexible terms and conditions are applied. Based on these findings, a set of recommendations have been developed to improve the current situation for the people of the studied area. Practical Implications: The micro-credit authorities will gain pragmatic insights of the socio-economic characteristics of Haor people. They will also be able to re-structure or re-design micro-credit programs and concerned policies to get better results from the related programs. Originality/Value: Appropriate micro-credit programs can maximize productivity to the Haor people which can bring them out from the vicious cycle. Limitations: The study was restricted to the formal and informal micro-credit sources. Modern financial technologies were excluded for some practical reasons.

Role of entrepreneurship in regional development in the haor region of Bangladesh: a trajectory equifinality model analysis of local entrepreneurs

Heavy metal concentrations in water, fish, and sediments from Bangladesh's haor region were investigated. Fish and sediment samples were taken once a season and evaluated using standard methods, while water samples were collected monthly. Results showed that metals in water (mg/L) were found in order of Mn (0.1694) > Cu (0.0189) > Zn (0.0045) > Pb (0.0040) > Cd (0.0028) within the maximum permissible level of Environment Conservation Rules (ECR). Mean concentrations of metal in fish (mg/kg–dry wt.) found in order of Zn (56.16) > Cu (25.47) > Mn (4.36) > Pb (2.19) > Cd (1.27) that were higher than maximum allowable level of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) except Cu. Metal in sediments (mg/kg) found in order of Mn (127.61) > Zn (32.51) > Pb (10.09) > Cu (5.40) > Cd (0.43), and except Cu all metal concentrations were lower than the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) probable effect concentrations. In water and sediments, pollution indices revealed a critical pollution threshold for water, and a range of unpolluted to highly polluted for sediments. Sampling sites had low potential ecological risk, despite the fact that metals were showing signs of a negative impact on people' health. Furthermore, bio-concentration factor for fish and water was low to extremely high, but for fish and sediment was low. The level of heavy metal contamination in haor shows the situation is alarming for biota and residents of the region. The relevant authority should control and monitor the aquatic ecology in order to protect it.

Bangladesh faces various types of natural hazards from its birth due to geographical location and physiographic conditions. Flood is the most common event among them. Northeastern part of Bangladesh faces flash flood almost every year with large scale of damage. Tanguar haor, (a famous Ramsar site of Bangladesh) located in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamgonj district. This wetland adjacent area is the most vulnerable zone in terms of flash flood hazard. About more than 80%, people are the direct victim of this hazard. The aim of this study was to assess the risk and resilience status of flash flood at community level. A risk and resilience assessment matrix leads to fulfill the assessment where only primary data were used. A comparative study between those statuses is computed based on Pearson correlation of co-efficient analysis that presents the difference of risk and resilience of the study area that helps to realize the emergence of flash flood risk reduction. The findings of this study will be a pathway for the policy makers, local administrators for the development of sustainable community level risk management, policy-making and its implementations.
 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(2): 47-53, December 2020

Assessment of farmers' perception on rice reaper in the haor region of Bangladesh

BackgroundChildhood stunting is an important public health problem in the haor region of Bangladesh. Haor areas are located in the north-eastern part of the country and are vulnerable to seasonal flooding. The key objective of this study is to identify the capabilities of the parents and their children that shape multidimensional child growth outcomes in the haor region in the first thousand days of life.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in two sub-districts of the haor region, including in Derai in the Sunamganj district and Baniachang in the Habiganj district. We facilitated eight focus group discussions with the parents of children under age two. To allow us to explore individual stories, we conducted in-depth interviews with four fathers and four mothers. A capability framework to child growth was used in shaping the interview guides and analysing the data.ResultsThe findings were categorised at four levels: a) capabilities for the child, b) capabilities for the mother, c) capabilities for the father, and d) capabilities at the household level. At the child’s level, the parents discussed the capability to stay away from disease and to eat well, the capability to stay happy and playful, and the capability to be born with God’s blessings and the hereditary traits needed to grow in size. The mothers frequently mentioned the capability to stay healthy and nourished, to stay away from violence, and to practice autonomy in allocating time for child care. The fathers stressed the earning opportunities that are affected by long-term flooding and the loss of agricultural productivity. At the household level, they discussed the capability to live in a safe shelter, to be mobile, to overcome their struggles with the earth, and to have a source of safe drinking water.ConclusionsThe capability framework for child growth helped identify relevant capabilities in the haor region. These findings can guide discussions with communities and policy makers about developing programmes and interventions aimed at enhancing the identified capabilities for child growth in this vulnerable region.

Aims: To identify the potential environmental impacts and influence of climate change on the pond fishery in haor region and impact of exotic species on the indigenous species through aquaculture.
 Study Design: An investigation on the influence of the pond fishery approach to determine whether the approach is successful with respect to the climate change impacts in the haor area.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study sites are located in five haor districts in Bangladesh for a period of one-year (May 2018 – April 2019) covering HILIP working area.
 Methodology: The study includes collection and analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data. For quantitative study, 92 sample households in 58 unions of 28 upazilas (sub-districts) in five project districts were randomly selected. Fish catch data, including information on species composition, production and sale were collected from perennial and seasonal ponds. The qualitative primary data obtained through in-depth interviews, key informants interviews and focus group discussions have been used in this paper.
 Results: Fish production was found to be better at perennial ponds, but not significantly more than that in the seasonal ponds. However, biodiversity was found to be better in seasonal ponds and greater than that in the perennial ponds. The findings clearly support the observation that pond fish culture is an attractive activity for haor people, especially those who are able to run both perennial and seasonal ponds and manage minimum feeding requirements, maintain those and market the outputs effectively. The present study fills gaps in existing knowledge of fish pond culture diffusion in haor region of Bangladesh.
 Conclusions: Pond fishery appears to perform better so, aquaculture production would mitigate some lost capture fisheries in the haor area of Bangladesh. Existing cultural practices could support experimentation and learning under future initiatives in the haor area. Pond fishery in the haor area mainly has an income-generating feature and less probability of being affected by climate change impacts. However, future initiatives should emphasize on culturing fish, which has the potential of balancing the haor ecosystem.
 Aims: To identify the potential environmental impacts and influence of climate change on the pond fishery in haor region and impact of exotic species on the indigenous species through aquaculture.
 Study Design: An investigation on the influence of the pond fishery approach to determine whether the approach is successful with respect to the climate change impacts in the haor area.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study sites are located in five haor districts in Bangladesh for a period of one-year (May 2018 – April 2019) covering HILIP working area.
 Methodology: The study includes collection and analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data. For quantitative study, 92 sample households in 58 unions of 28 upazilas (sub-districts) in five project districts were randomly selected. Fish catch data, including information on species composition, production and sale were collected from perennial and seasonal ponds. The qualitative primary data obtained through in-depth interviews, key informants interviews and focus group discussions have been used in this paper.
 Results: Fish production was found to be better at perennial ponds, but not significantly more than that in the seasonal ponds. However, biodiversity was found to be better in seasonal ponds and greater than that in the perennial ponds. The findings clearly support the observation that pond fish culture is an attractive activity for haor people, especially those who are able to run both perennial and seasonal ponds and manage minimum feeding requirements, maintain those and market the outputs effectively. The present study fills gaps in existing knowledge of fish pond culture diffusion in haor region of Bangladesh.
 Conclusions: Pond fishery appears to perform better so, aquaculture production would mitigate some lost capture fisheries in the haor area of Bangladesh. Existing cultural practices could support experimentation and learning under future initiatives in the haor area. Pond fishery in the haor area mainly has an income-generating feature and less probability of being affected by climate change impacts. However, future initiatives should emphasize on culturing fish, which has the potential of balancing the haor ecosystem.

Community perceptions of flood resilience hinge upon translation of impressions of events and built environment, which thereby influence a community's ability to resist, cope with and recover from adverse impacts of flooding. Particularly in developing countries, NGOs, often in collaboration with communities, design and fund non‐traditional structural measures to enhance community resilience. This study examines community perceptions of flood resilience in the Haor region of Bangladesh, where communities live on constructed islands, reinforced by structural flood mitigation measures. Wave activity due to riverine flooding places communities at significant risk, especially as NGO‐funded non‐traditional structural measures intended to increase resilience may fail to do so. Small group meetings with community members were facilitated in graphically depicting and discussing areas of risk and relative safety during flood events. Maps constructed by community groups indicate that perceptions of community vulnerability are shared between generations, and that measures intended to enhance resilience may actually increase community perceptions of vulnerability, highlighting a need for a more nuanced understanding of community adaptation to ongoing risk. Findings identified the use of non‐language‐dependent tools such as cognitive mapping as quick and effective data collection mechanisms. Incorporating this local knowledge allows for more effective targeted measures, increasing community resilience and better informing NGO practices.

The inadequate supply of tilapia seed mostly fingerling which consider as the secured stock because of lower mortality rate is considered as one of the major present constraints to the development of the culture industry in annual flooded region of haor in Bangladesh. The floating bamboo net-hapa nursery system was observed to be very efficient in the mass production of tilapia fingerlings at haor water body in Sunamganj district, Bangladesh. This system was therefore, recommended for small-scale (artisanal) commercial operators consisting of fishermen families mostly involvement of women in order to uphold their socio economic contribution and hasten development of haor communities. The research was conducted by three treatments with three replicates each. It was found that treatment I showing stocking density of 750/m 2 with FCR and SGR were 1.14 ± 0.038 a and 10.55 ±0.103 a respectively was found to be the most favorable treatment among all. But while considering the cost benefit ratio treatment II found better for commercial aquaculture as the survival rate was higher in treatment II. Besides the treatment with moderate stocking rate of 900/m 2 found to be most profitable with Tk. 793.12±67.73 b while in treatment I (stocking density 750/m 2 ) and treatment III (stocking density 1050/m 2 ) the net profit were 582.45 ± SD 88.75 a and Tk. 655.04 ±51.76 ab , respectively. As in the commercial production the increasing in stocking density also increase net profit with the same unit area and resources. But in small scale farming like tilapia fingerling production not only profit but also investment capability need to be take into consideration. The cost-benefit ratio found in this study showed that in treatment I, II and III the benefit-cost ratio were 2.17:1, 2.36:1 and 1.99:1 respectively which indicate a moderate stocking density of treatment II is most profitable. It was emphasized that the operational and managerial skills of the culture operators in fingerling production account largely to the production cost minimizing and profitability as well.

Stratagem to promote improvement based on the cultivating, nurturing, harvesting, jamboree, processing, collecting period and diversifying of acclimatized species implicitly target households as principal beneficiaries in haor region of Bangladesh. This paper suggests that the cultivation and domestication of acclimatized species can play important roles for enhancing food security in these co-managed areas. Sunamgonj is a haor based district in Bangladesh where local communities are affected by the unwanted deluge throughout the approximately six months round the year. Most of haor inhabitants are hampered on food insecurity including fundamental needs and networks in this period. For these overcomes, succession of vegetative-floristic compositions including fauna and genetic diversification introduced in these areas not only for upliftment of food security but also shelter bank free from devastating. This study focuses on four Upazillas in Sunamgonj that derive a significant portion of their livelihoods from providing of cultivated species including flora and fauna in the mentioned haor region. The author applied social science methods for relevant data and information collection surrounding these haor areas. About 65% respondents of these regions are opined for seasonal species cultivation and domestication through the co-managed partners both government and development organizations including national and international agencies. The author wants to aware for species selection, domestication, tending, training and development among the enthusiastic farmers on the priority requirements on species gene bank to accomplish a broader concept of food security and to ensure that short-term food benefits lead to longer-term food security. It concludes that both research on the cultivation and domestication of acclimatization and co-management practices that are needed to allow haor inhabitants to continue to live ensuring food security round the year in this region within a sustainable manner of haor resources. Finally, the author infers the future research trajectories of the co-managed approaches and recommendations for how to further sustainable develop the probable domesticated resources alternatively for food security in the aforesaid.

Potential production of Boro rice in the Haor region of Bangladesh: Part 1. The simulation model, validation and sensitivity analysis

Potential production of Boro rice in the Haor region of Bangladesh: Part 3. Normative analysis using a simulation model

Potential production of Boro rice in the Haor region of Bangladesh: Part 2. Simulation experiments on the effects of management variables and flooding time

Shallow Tubewell Irrigation in Jawar Village, the Haor Region of Bangladesh