Houseboats diminishes beauty of Haor

Tourists flock to Tanguar Haor, drawn by its blue waters, vast wetlands, and tranquil nature. The vehicle for enjoying this beauty is now the luxurious houseboat. However, bypassing designated water routes, these vessels are cutting across the heart of Matian Haor in Tahirpur Upazila, Sunamganj. In choosing this fuel-saving shortcut, pressure is being exerted on the haor's water and biodiversity. Glass and Plastic bottles and other waste thrown from houseboats are also creating additional risks for farmers during the dry season. Despite discussions about environmental protection, this is how houseboats continue to operate year after year during the tourist season, leaving marks of damage on the haor.

Local residents complain that houseboats enter Matian Haor through the Machinebari area of Bordial village in Tahirpur. They then proceed straight across the middle of the haor towards the watchtower of Tanguar Haor. However, there are waterways around Matian Haor designated for houseboat movement. Using the designated routes would eliminate the need for vessels to navigate through the vast expanse of the haor's wetlands.

Locals cite fuel savings as a primary reason for houseboats traversing the middle of the haor. Taking the river routes requires more time and fuel. Many houseboats travel directly across the haor to reduce fuel expenses. While this saves fuel in the short term, the long-term impact on the haor's environment is significant.

Askar Ali of Bordial village expressed anger over the houseboat movement. He said, "These houseboats are ruining the haor's environment. During paddy cultivation, we only find glass bottles in the fields. Many people are getting their hands and feet injured by these bottles."

There is also concern about the impact of large vessels navigating through the shallow waters of the haor on the bottom sediment and aquatic plants. The environmental impact of houseboats is not limited to their movement. To provide comfort to tourists, some houseboats are equipped with air conditioning systems. To keep these systems running, generators must operate almost constantly. This adds the noise of generators to the haor's once-silent environment, while also causing air pollution through smoke.

The increase in tourism in the haor is also boosting economic activity. There are positive effects on local trade, commerce, and employment. Environmentalists believe that if economic activities become detrimental to the haor's natural environment and the livelihoods of local people, then there is a need to rethink tourism management.

According to Sukhendu Sen, convener of the Sunamganj Public Initiative, "We must first consider whether we prioritize business or the environment. However, it is possible to manage tourism by maintaining a balance between the two without harming the environment."

He commented, "Commercial activities are proceeding unilaterally without giving due importance to the environment. Hundreds of houseboats are plying, and some vessels even have air conditioning systems." He also questioned the necessity of such excessive luxury for tourists coming to see the pristine, unspoiled nature of the haor.

Sukhendu Sen believes that if houseboats traverse through the middle of the haor, it will naturally have an adverse effect on the water, biodiversity, and ecological balance. The administration needs to take effective plans by coordinating the protection of the haor's environment, the interests of local people, and tourism management.

However, the houseboat owners' organization claims that no houseboat under their jurisdiction travels through the middle of Matian Haor. The president of the Houseboat Association, Md. Arafat Hossain Akhand, asserts that they take tourists via river routes to the watchtower, Shaheed Siraj Lake, and the Jadukata River.

The administration, however, says measures are being taken to prevent houseboats from sailing through the middle of the haor. The Additional District Commissioner (Overall) of Sunamganj, Md. Matiur Rahman Khan, said, "Houseboat owners have been instructed not to travel through the middle of the haor. They must take tourists along the designated river routes. Efforts are underway to mark the waterways with bamboo and red flags. It is taking some time due to the high water levels. During the dry season, the waterways will be clearly marked so that houseboats cannot freely traverse the middle of the haor."