Tanguar Haor: existence at stake in Bangladesh

11/10/2025
17:00 - 18:00
BBC Media Action

Why attend

Learn how impactful journalism has changed the existence of one of Bangladesh's largest wetlands.

Session Description

Tanguar Haor is one of the largest wetlands in Bangladesh, rich in resource and famous for its migratory birds. Every year, thousands of birds from different parts of the world flock to the haor, including a rare species of palace fish eagle. However, this paradise of biodiversity is under threat, due to an infiltration of silt, destruction of habitat, hunting, and lack of adequate security. According to the Bangladesh Bird Club, there were about 60,000 birds in Tanguar Haor in 2018, whilst this year, the number dropped sharply to 23,000. Md Khalilur Rahman is a journalist with over 18 years of experience, working on environmental and biodiversity topics. In this session, he highlights the importance of trusted and impactful reporting for the future of the Tanguar Haor and shows how journalism is vital for wildlife and biodiversity issues.