By Sattaranjan Saha from Harirampur, Manikganj
On the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2026, Harirampur Green Coalition and BARCIK jointly organized an event at Bhatchala Beel under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.”
Farmers and community members observed diverse crops and exchanged experiences. Participants emphasized that restoring water flow especially through the Ichamati River would halve production costs, protect biodiversity, and ensure food security for both farmers and the nation.
During the event farmers in Bhatchala Beel of Harirampur shared that earlier the beel held water year-round, allowing natural fish harvesting and cultivation of traditional rice varieties like Jali Aman and Bhawalya. Today, due to water scarcity, farmers depend on groundwater irrigation, increasing costs and reducing crop diversity.
The participants said that wetlands are essential for protecting life, nature, and traditional practices. When wetlands retain water, biodiversity survives, indigenous fish species return, and farmers can cultivate diverse crops independently. They mentioned that seed diversity is preserved, farming costs remain low, and lost species such as snails, frogs, monitor lizards, birds, and insects regain their habitats.
