haors

Haors are large, bowl-shaped floodplain wetlands located in the northeastern region of Bangladesh. They span parts of Sylhet, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sunamganj, and Kishoreganj districts and are part of the Meghna and Surma-Kushiyara river basins. The haor landscape comprises expansive depressions, beels (seasonal lakes), and a network of channels that form during regular river flooding.

Hydrology and ecology

During the annual monsoon, roughly from June to October, heavy rainfall and river overflows fill the haors, creating vast shallow lakes and wetlands that are interconnected by waterways. In the dry season, typically November to May, water recedes and much of the area becomes seasonally dry land. This cycle supports a rich biodiversity, including numerous fish species, amphibians, waterbirds, and aquatic plants. The beels provide important habitat for migratory and resident species and sustain productive fisheries.

Human use and livelihoods

Haor communities depend on fisheries, beel-based aquaculture, and agriculture. Farmers cultivate crops on raised fields or during the dry season, while fishing and boat transport form essential parts of the local economy. The seasonal nature of the wetlands also shapes cultural practices and livelihoods, with work and migration patterns often aligned to the flooding cycle.

Conservation and threats

The haor landscape faces threats from sedimentation, embankment and drainage projects, pollution, overfishing, and climate-related changes in flooding patterns. Upstream damming and land-use changes can alter hydrology and habitat quality. Some haor areas are recognized for ecological importance and designated as protected or Ramsar sites, highlighting their role in biodiversity and regional livelihoods. Tanguar Haor is among the well-known Ramsar-designated haor systems.