Biological Diversity Status of Fish Genetic Resources at Tanguar Haor Wetland in Bangladesh

Author: Md. Gulam Hussain
DOI: doi.org/10.70279/bmj-v5-i1-1072
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Tanguar haor has been declared as an Ecologically Critical Area and a Ramsar site - wetland of international importance by the Government of Bangladesh due to recent gradual alteration of haor ecosystem habitat and over exploitation of natural resources including fish genetic resources. Present winter season study was conducted to assess the effect of dry season on the overall fisheries resources and biological diversity of existing fish species in the wetland ecosystem of the haor. In this study, Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and questionnaire surveys of different stakeholders such as Key Informant Interview (KII); Personal Interview (PI); Household Survey (HS) and spot visit to fish landing centers/ local fish markets were carried out within Tanguar haor area covering two Upazilas viz. Tahirpur and Dharmapasha of Sunamganj district, Sylhet. The existing fisheries resources and status of fish biological diversity of the wetland based on such consultations, discussion and intervention have been assessed. From this study, it has been revealed that there are only 58 fish species were captured among 141 species (as reported earlier) by the local fishermen during that winter season, among those numbers 16 fish (28%) were identified as Commonly Available Species (CAS), 18 fish (31.08%) were as Moderately Available Species (MAS), 12 fish (20.68%) were as Less Available Species (LAS) and 12 fish (20.68%) were as Rarely Available Species (RAS). Both LAS and RAS can be categorized as vulnerable species; those are on the line to be endangered within a few years of time. According to report of the fisher groups a total of 8 fish species were not recently available at all in their catch. The overall assessment result of the study was extremely alarming for fish biological diversity of the wetland. Therefore, it is strongly recommended by all the consulted stakeholders that the integrated Best Wetland Management Practices (BWMPs) should be continued, enhanced and re-adopted as useful solution by the GoB and concerned departments and ministries by coordinated way to restore the threatened natural ecosystem services and vales and conserve the fish biological diversity at Tanguar haor wetland.