Public commission formed to investigate Haor disaster

Civil society members have formed a commission to find out causes and solutions to the devastation in the Haor or backswamp areas following the flash floods in early April.

Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury will head the 26-member commission while Hasnat Quaiyum will serve as member secretary.

"The body has been formed out of a sense of responsibility towards the people and nature," said Quaiyum during a media briefing at the National Press Club on Friday.

"It will try to find out causes of the catastrophe and work on bringing out long-lasting solutions," he said.

He said the commission, formed on demand by the Haor dwellers, would hear them and gather data from the people working in the areas of water, fisheries, communication, education and health sectors in the region.

"After doing research and analysing different government and non-government development policies, it will also consult the experts at home and abroad," said Quaiyum.

The committee will analyse international laws related to rivers, wetlands and nature and share the findings with the people as well, he added.

The speakers highlighted that 18 percent of paddy Bangladesh produces alone come from Haor areas while the region also accounts for the largest share of fish.

There are 374 to 411 Haors in the country. Eighty percent of paddy produced in Haors, worth more than Tk 50 billion, went under water due to flooding this year, they said.

Swapan Adnan, Anu Muhammad, Rizwana Hasan, Badrul Imam and Khalequzzaman are among the members of the committee.