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Eco-environmental Changes of Wetland Resources of Hakaluki Haor in Bangladesh Using GIS Technology

M. J. Uddin
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A. S. M. Mohluddin
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

S. T. Hossain
Friends in Village Development, Bangladesh (FIVDB).

A. Hakim
Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bangladesh is traversed by numerous rivers and it comprises most of the delta of three great rivers- the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna. Specifically, the greater part of northeast region is taken up by the wetland basin and is characterized by the presence of numerous large, deeply flooded depressions, known as haors, between the rivers where Hakaluki haor is one of them. A study was conducted using the soil and landform information of 1985 and 2003 of Hakaluki haorwetland ecosystem. Areas of soil boundaries between 1985 and 2003 were estimated using polygon attribute tables (PAT) files which revealed that this wetland ecosystem has been decreasing at an alarming rate due to sedimentation from the surrounding hilly areas. These estimates were verified using the land type information because soil boundaries and land types are the inter-related issues. Besides, a soil profile study also revealed that a buried horizon formed beneath the plow layer which signifies the sedimentation. Thus, the wetland ecosystem degradation seriously affects the bio-resources of the study sites. A sustainable technology should be adopted to prevent the degradation of hilly lands and conservation and caring of soil resources in the basins.

Keywords: Hakaluki haor, Wet land resources; GIS Technology Introduction

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Non-commodity: Weather/Climate, GIS

Objectives:

To investigate the eco- environmental changes of the Hakaluki haor, one of the major wetland resources of Bangladesh using GIS technology.

Methodology:

Hakaluki haor; locates in the North-East of Bangladesh is the largest haor in South Asia and one of the most important fish and bird sanctuaries supporting around 1,90,000 people for their livelihood. The study site comprise mainly of wetlands, surrounding hillocks, reserve forests, planted forest and tea garden etc. It was designated as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) and recognized as one of the RAMSAR site of international importance for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. It is a wetland haor of shallow basin between the Patharia and Madhab hills in the East and the Bhatera hills to the West. It is made up of more than 276 small interconnecting beels, some of which are perennial and others are seasonal. withdrawal of the annual monsoon, four distinct seasons are recognized. These are: Pre-monsoon season which extends from April to May and is characterized by the increasing rainfall. Monsoon season which spreads over from the period June to September and is characterized by heavy rainfall occurring over longer duration. Post-monsoon season which extends from October to November and is characterized by decreasing rainfall. Dry season which extends from November to March and is characterized by little or no rainfall. Only 3 to 4 percent of the total rainfall occurs during this season. Above all, the present situation is somehow different due to irregular rainfall pattern in the study sites. These are the scenarios of present climate change in the study sites. A scenario on temperature, wind velocity, sunshine hours, relative humidity and evapo-transpiration for the study sites have been presented. The river system of the northeastern corner of Bangladesh have played a very significant role in shaping the physical characteristics of Hakaluki haor. The Kushiyara river flows by the northern boundary of the study sites. The two main rivers, namely the Sonai- Bardal river enters the wetland haor from the east and the juri river from the southeast. A smaller river, namely the phanai river enters wetland haor from the Southwest. Besides, these a large number of smaller hilly streams enter the study site from the surrounding hills. The water levels inside Hakaluki haot are governed by the water levels in the Kushiyara river at the outfall of the Juri river. If the water levels in the Kushiyara river is lower those of Hakaluki haor, water flows from the study sites to the river. However. if the river stage is higher than that of the study sites. water flows into this wetland haor from the Kushiyara river as back flow. To complete the present research, different base materials were collected from different organizations. Topographic maps of Messers Capital Air Survey Ltd. Canada during 1974-75 and revised on the ground during 1982-83 and verified during 1987-88 and also 1989-90. In addition, aerial photo of 1984 was used for some verification. Other sources were used to verify it. The scale used for these data sources was 1:50,000. ESRI developed ARC/GIS 8.1 software was used to prepare the digital databases on soil resources and land type. The areas of different soil boundaries along with other geographic features were estimated using the polygon attribute tables (PAT) files of the soil map of 1985 and 2003 A field study was conducted to find out sedimentation and other process of degradation of the wetland ecosystems.

Source of Information: J. Biodivers Endanger Species, Vol. 1, Issue 1-1000103, ISSN: JBES an open access journal

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the time series data analysis by GIS technology, it is confirmed that wetland ecosystems of Hakaluki haor is decreasing in course of time due to sedimentation, irregular rainfall and other related anthropogenic causes. This decreasing trend is becoming serious due to the lack proper management planning. Henceforth, this wetland eco-system is degrading seriously which impacts on the bio-resources and biodiversity of the study areas. A sustainable technology should be adopted to prevent the degradation of hilly lands and conservation and caring of soil resources in the wetland basins.

Knowledge Management: Journal