Freedom fighter and MP Fazlur Rahman urged the government to establish a dedicated ministry for Bangladesh’s haor region, citing climate vulnerability, economic decline and the need for targeted development and connectivity.
Kishoreganj-4 lawmaker and freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman, who represents a constituency in Kishoreganj district under Bangladesh’s Dhaka Division, on Thursday called for the establishment of a separate ministry for the country’s haor (wetland) region, saying its unique geography and recurring climate-related vulnerabilities demand dedicated policy attention.
Speaking during the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year at the 13th Jatiya Sangsad’s second budget session on its 15th day, he said a specialized institutional framework is necessary to address the region’s long-standing development challenges.
Describing the haor belt as a distinct ecological zone, the MP said it stretches from Chandpur through parts of the Brahmaputra basin to the Sylhet wetlands and up to the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hill tracts. He said the area, once known in parts as “Kalidhar Sagar,” has a rich cultural and historical heritage that has gradually been overshadowed by economic hardship and climate vulnerability.
“My birthplace is in the haor area. Once this region was prosperous and culturally vibrant. Today, it has become a crisis-prone area where people are forced to move across the country in search of livelihoods,” he said.
He noted that while Rangpur once supplied labour to other parts of Bangladesh, the haor region now sends a large number of workers nationwide, reflecting declining local economic opportunities.
Referring briefly to the region’s cultural history, he said the wetlands were once admired by poets and visitors, including Rabindranath Tagore, who was reportedly captivated by the beauty of the Sylhet-Sunamganj landscape.
Fazlur Rahman said the haor region, covering around 30 upazilas, has distinct geographical and socio-economic characteristics similar to other special administrative zones in the country, such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
“To save this water-dependent region, a separate ministry must be formed,” he said, adding that he was formally placing the demand before policymakers.
He also urged political leaders, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and ministers, to consider the proposal for institutional recognition of the region’s unique needs.
Highlighting infrastructure challenges, the lawmaker said a proposed Tk 5,200 crore elevated expressway project in the haor area had been halted. He urged the government to reconsider the project or explore a more cost-effective alternative to ensure year-round connectivity between Dhaka and the haor districts.
