Loud music banned on houseboats in Tanguar Haor

Tanguar Haor in Tahirpur Upazila of Sunamganj has become crowded with tourists during the Eid holidays. However, the administration has taken a strict stance to protect this protected wetland, which is rich in nature and biodiversity.

Loud singing and playing music on tourist-carrying houseboats and local boats have been completely banned.

Tahirpur Upazila Executive Officer Mohammad Abul Hashem confirmed the matter on Monday (June 9) afternoon.

At the same time, it was also informed on the Facebook page of the upazila administration: 'Loud singing and playing music on all tourist-carrying houseboats and local boats in Tanguar Haor is prohibited. Strict action will be taken if this rule is violated.'

Tanguar Haor is an internationally recognized protected wetland, which is identified as 'environmentally critical' under the Ramsar Convention.

Although the biodiversity of this haor is very important, in recent years, illegal and reckless houseboat traffic, loud music, plastic and human waste dumping in the name of tourism have threatened the nature of the haor.

Writer and social activist Abul Hossain said: "Although Tanguar Haor is under the Ramsar Convention, the music, dancing and waste dumping going on here are a terrible threat to the environment."

President of the Environment and Haor Development Organization, Kasmir Reza, made the same statement: "In addition to noise pollution, loud music and music disrupt the reproduction and habitat of waterfowl and aquatic animals. This decision of the administration is very timely."

Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Abul Hashem said that a quick and effective campaign will be conducted to stop loud music and music on boats at night. In addition, a plan has been taken for the management of plastic and human waste in the haor, which will be implemented soon.