(BSS) - The Department of Environment is set to implement a Taka 44 crore project aimed at developing the wetlands of Tanguar Haor, one of Bangladesh’s largest freshwater reservoirs.

Funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the project will run until 2029 and focus on ecological restoration, habitat development, and community-based conservation.

Project Director Shaheda Begum shared the details at a workshop on the Community Based Management of Tanguar Haor Wetland Ecosystem Project.

She said the initiative includes creating 800 hectares of bird habitat, restoring 400 hectares of wetland and 300 hectares of reed beds, and carrying out restoration work on 20 hectares of beel areas.

Local communities will receive training and be actively involved in protecting the haor. A consulting firm will also be appointed to design and implement the wetland development activities.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Elias Mia emphasized community participation, stating that sustainable protection of Tanguar Haor is impossible through government efforts alone.

He said that the haor’s environment and resources are deteriorating over time, and urged that residents who depend on the haor—especially fishermen and farmers—must have secure livelihood opportunities to ensure their engagement in conservation.

Meanwhile, the government has expanded the jurisdiction of the Tanguar Haor Protection Order to include four unions across Madhyanagar and Tahirpur upazilas: Banshikunda North, Banshikunda South, Sreepur (South), and Sreepur (North). These unions cover Mouzas including Tanguar Haor, Moazzempur, Kismat Mendata, Jagadishpur, Lamagaon, and Rangachhara East.

The update was confirmed in a notification signed by Mohammad Lutfur Rahman, Director General of the Water Resources Planning Agency under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The notification outlines responsibilities for committees overseeing Tanguar and Hakaluki haor management, along with short-term (2 years), medium-term (5 years), and long-term (10 years) plans.

A 10-member committee has been formed to implement and monitor conservation activities, with the Deputy Commissioner serving as chair.

Members include the Deputy Director of the Haor and Wetland Development Department (Member Secretary), the District Police Superintendent, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, District Fisheries Officer, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, Divisional Forest Officer, concerned Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment, and one representative from local environmental or haor-related organizations.

The new project is expected to strengthen ecological protection, improve local livelihoods, and ensure long-term conservation of Tanguar Haor’s unique wetland ecosystem.