Haors of Sunamganj

Exploring the Haors of Sunamganj

Haors are special type of Inland Wetlands of Bangladesh situated in thenorth-eastern zone of the country. They are fresh water (seasonal) inland lakes. Considering the importance of Haorin the national economy as well as of its hydrological characteristics and very rich biodiversity, it wasfelt necessary to prepare a separate volume of the report, exclusively dealing with Haors.

Sunamganj is located in the Sylhet Division with the Sylhet District to its east,Habiganj District is to its south and Netrakona District to its west.It has an area of 367,000 ha and a population of 2,443,000 (Census, 2011). The Surma River and KushiyaraRiver run through the district whilst Ratna River crisscrosses the district and beyond. 

The River Da'uka or Danuka also run through district Sunamganj. It has 11 Upazilas:- Bishwambarpur, Chhatak, Derai, Dharmapasha, Dowarabazar, Jagannathpur, Jamalganj, Sulla, Sunamganj Sadar, Dakshin Sunamganj and Tahirpur. There are 95 Haors andnumerous Beels in this districts.Sunamganj is a major source of freshwater fish. This districtisfamous for fishery business.Dekar, Kalikota, Naluar, Pagnar, Shanir, Tanguar Haor aresome of the many Haors of Sunamganj District among which Tanguar Haorhas beendeclared as Ramsar site.

There are11 Upazilas and 95 Haors in Sunamganj District.Among these Upazilas, Bishwambarpur does not have any Haors. Haors of the rest 10 Upazilas and their Sunamganj District.

• Some Haors are stretched over more than one Upazila, sometimes over more than one district. While recording these Haors, they have been shown in all Upazilas, hence theapparent discrepancy is observed in the total number of Haors.

• In Sunamganj District,the following Haors are stretched over more than one Upazilas:Baram, Chaol,Dekar, Dhakua, Dhamai, Dhankuniar,Dubail,Gurmar,Huramondira,Jamaikata, Joal Bhanga, Kalnar, Lusni Beel, Naidar, Naluar, Pagnar,Sashkar, Shanghair, Shanir, Suktiar,Suraya Bibiyanaand Tanguar Haor.

• Chayer, Doyalong, Gomrar, Goradoba, Kalikota, Shimultala-Jalla Haors are stretched over more than one district.