Tanguar haor is one of the largest wetland areas of Bangladesh. It is bestowed with unique combination of rare animals, birds, plants and herbs.

Tanguar haor is a vast flood land situated at the north-eastern part of Bangladesh and extended over Tahirpur and Dharmapasha upazillas of Sunamganj district. It comprises of 51 wetlands which covers about 7000 acres area, 6912.20 acres to be precise. The marshes of this area are interconnected by narrow channels and during monsoon merge into a vast single water body. It then covers as much as 20,000 acres of land if the reed forests are included.

Sunset at Tanguar Haor

This haor area is astonishingly charming. The surrounding green forests, different flora and fauna, variety of animals and birds and the vast water bearing wetland stretching beyond the horizon create a dazzling scenario. The nature as if awaits there to overwhelm you with its charms. The khasia hill of Meghalaya province of India in the background of the haor basin adds to the beauty of the land.

Tanguar haor is the home for numerous plants and animals. A number of rare animals, fishes, birds and platns are found here along with the common ones.

It harbors 200 aquatic plants and many aquatic lives. Hijol, koroch, balua, reeds , ban tulsi and some other threatened plant species can be found here. Besides these the haor also has blue lily, helencha, pani fol, shoal, sheetol pati, shotomuli, shornolota and some more rare kinds of wetland plants. Tanguar haor provides shelter to 141 fish species, 208 bird species, 34 reptiles and 11 amphibians.

In winter thousands of migratory birds of about 98 more species fly here to take shelter. Among the birds are many globally endangered birds such as Palaces Eagle, large Grey King stork, vultures, Baikal teal, Slaty wood pecker, Red headed trogon, Pallas’s fish eagle, Mangrove whistler, Mangrove pitta, Masked finfoot ,White winged wood duck and numerous other migratory birds. Local birds pankouri, kalem, boidor, gallinule, and other variety of ducks, river gulls, stork, cranes are also seen here. As the humming sound of all these various birds combine with each other it feels like some heavenly music being played.

In the winter it provides sanctuary to almost 50-200 thousands migratory birds every year. The reason that many migratory birds flock here may be the geographical situation of the haor. The birds seen here sum up to almost half of the total bird species found in the whole Indian subcontinent. Tanguar haor provides great opportunity to watch these large number of bird species closely. This haor is like a little heaven for birdwatchers.

Tanguar haor doesn’t only provide haven for birds it acts a as mother fishery enabling many fishermen to earn their living. As a result it plays vital role in the local as well as national economy. This haor offers one crop in the marshes during winter and serves as a source of livelihood for the inhabitants of the 46 surrounding villages.

About Naureen Afrose

Currently I am studying engineering. I don't posses much of a writing skill but I am happy to give it a try in my spare time.

Other recent articles by Naureen Afrose

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• Hakaluki haor: Largest haor of Bangladesh
• MOULVIBAZAR : The Land of Tea – Part :II