Ratargul is not only a wetland but another freshwater wetland is ‘Mayavan’. The location of this reservoir is Jugirkandi Haor in Alirgaon Union of the same upazila (Goaighat, Sylhet). A team of researchers from Sylhet Agricultural University-SAU and Khulna Agricultural University-KAU have started research on this reservoir, which is hidden from the sight of tourists.
Ankur Chowdhury, a lecturer-researcher of the department of fisheries biology and aesthetics of Khulna Agricultural University and Iftekhar Ahmed Fagun, a postgraduate researcher of the aquatic resources management department of Sylhet Agricultural University, visited Mayaban on Saturday to conduct research activities.
The research team also includes lecturer-researcher Debashish Pandit of Khulna Agricultural University Department of Oceanography. The research is being supervised by Sylhet Agricultural University’s Water Resources Management Department Professor Dr Mritunjay Kund and Professor Dr Ahmed Harun-Al-Rashid.
During the visit the research team members talked to the local people. Theya also recorded the list of plants, fish and other animals. They also collect geological data.
Lecturer-researcher Ankur Chowdhury said, ‘It was thought that Ratargul reservoir is the only freshwater reservoir in Bangladesh; But there are also some other wetlands including Mayaban. We have started some basic research activities on Mayaban. This wetland is constantly maintaining the ecological balance of the Haor of the region. The reservoir is largely hidden from public view. Although there is potential for the tourism sector, if it is not possible to develop a sustainable tourism sector, the biodiversity here may be threatened.
Researcher Iftekhar Ahmed Fagun said, `Wetlands of Haor region are one of the most important shelters for breeding, propagation and growth of native fish. The Mayaban wetland is important for forestry science as well as fisheries and botany. This wetland is playing a key role in maintaining the balance of the Haoran ecosystem. After the research program, it will be possible to give more detailed information about this forest. It is estimated that this wetland covers an area of about 180 hectares. Jugirkandi Mayvan has rows of hijal, jam, barun, karach and various species of trees floating on the water. As it is a dense water forest, the sunlight in the interior cannot penetrate the leaves and reach the water. On the south side of the forest there is a forest. On the east side there is a huge bill with kurundi and roua full of shapla and lotus flowers. To the west is a river known as Hidairkhaal (Baulikhaal in official documents), on the banks of which is one of the largest murta gardens in Bangladesh owned by the forest department. Various species of birds such as herons, different species of buck, dahuk, dove, sari, doel-shyama, finge, mallard and pankauri roam in Jugirkandi Mayavan. A sanctuary for various species of snakes and various types of snakes, the wildlife in this reserve includes monkeys, wild boars, squirrels, tigers, etc. Correspondent