Government plans expanded media coverage to promote haor conservation and tourism.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasir Khan Chowdhury today acknowledged extensive media coverage on “haors” or wetlands as part of government efforts to address issues related to wetlands which serve as critical pillars for Bangladesh’s ecology, economy and food security.
Responding to a question Chowdhury said in recent days mainstream media outlets including state-run- BSS news agency were carrying extensive reports and documentaries on oxbow lakes and backswamps more knbown as “haors” and “baors” supplementing government efforts for their conservation and development.
Independent lawmaker Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal of Kishoreganj made the star-marked question at the Jatiya Sangsad when the junior minister said the media was highlighting the lifestyle, agriculture, fisheries resources, natural environment and tourism potential of the haor regions at the national level.
“(Government) plans to expand these initiatives further,” he said responding to the query on behalf of Information and Broadcasting Minister Andalib Rahman.
Yasir said various initiatives were being taken through public media outlets and publicity mechanisms to highlight development activities, agricultural potential and tourism infrastructure of the haor regions at home and abroad.
He said the government also planned to produce new programmes on haor tourism and broadcast special environmental programmes focusing on the conservation of the haor ecosystem.
Yasser informed the House Bangladesh Television (BTV) was broadcasting a documentary titled 'Banglar Protichchhobi (Nikli)', highlighting the lifestyle of important haor areas, including Nikli and Bajitpur in Kishoreganj.
He said Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) engaged a haor correspondent and one district correspondent stationed in Kishoreganj to cover on the lifestyle, local problems, agriculture, fisheries resources and natural environment of the haor regions to be disseminated to different media outlets.
He said the mainstream national media were making no discrimination in covering the issues of once neglected wetlands and problems of marginalized communities and their folk traditions there.
The state minister, however, said geographical remoteness, communication problems and technological infrastructure, and seasonal challenges in collecting news and producing programmes sometimes obstruct media access to the region while important national and international issues often eclipse haor issues in media.
Replying to the question, Yasir said currently the government had no specific plan to establish a “Haor Publicity Cell” but the proposal might be considered in the future in light of practical needs and circumstances.
