News Flash
By Md Mamun Islam
RANGPUR, Sept 22, 2025 (BSS) - Re-excavated Bharardaho and Patoakamri Beels,
located side by side in Badarganj upazila of Rangpur, with boasting
breathtaking natural beauty and lush greenery, are soon to be declared as a
natural sanctuary.
The 11-member committee, formed by the district administration as directed by
the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in its recently
submitted report recommended declaring 'Bharardaho and Patoakamri' Beels as
'Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation'.
Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has re-excavated Bharardaho
(11.59 acres) and Patoakamari (11.30 acres) Beels under the 'Expansion of
irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and
conservation of rainwater (EIR) project'.
On-site inspection shows that the enchanting appearance of Bharardaho Beel is
as captivating as if nature has adorned itself in its own form.
More than 6,500 timber, flower, fruit and medicinal trees of 213 rare and
extinct species of trees planted on the 100-feet wide banks of Bharardaho
Beel have created a verdant spectacle.
The still waters of the Beel and the blue glow of the sky above are like a
fair of friendship in the natural landscape there.
The water play of 'Pankauri' and kingfishers, and thousands of 'Pati Sarali'
and 'Gitiya' ducks floating on the chest of the Beel, the wandering and
chirping of the 'Giriya' ducks sometimes fill the minds of people with a
sense of wonder.
The colorful flowers, birds, and trees combine to create a breathtaking
beauty, a creation of the natural world. It is like a bridge between the love
of nature and humans.
The Beel is also a home to many native birds including the Jalpipi, Jalmayur,
Dahuk, Shalik, Dove, Cuckoo, Hadichacha, Doel, Bau Katha Kao, Papiya,
Bulbuli, Hudhud, Soheli, Khanjana, Chatak, Tuntuni, storks and Kingfishers.
Among the trees planted on the banks of Bharardaho Beel are - Nageshwar,
Naglingam, Hijal, Kaizelia, Ashok, Gorjan, Agar, Nishinda, Saffron, Palm,
Kadbel, Date, Jamrul, Plum, Gab, Safeda, Fig, Mahua, Kathgolap, Jarul, Chatim
and Kadam.
The water and banks of Beel are home to many unknown aquatic plants and
animals, including flora, fauna, fish, grasshopper, butterfly, squirrel, bee,
lizard, snake, beetle, firefly, frog, forest ant, mongoose, lizard, fox,
Bejee, rabbit and other living beings.
Currently, Bharardaho and Patoakamari Beels are open. There is free movement
and presence of cows, goats, and people. As a result, the safety of trees,
fish, and birds has been at risk.
The 11-member committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner
(Revenue) in its report mentioned that a watch tower can be constructed
without damaging the nature, flora, and fauna, which attract nature and
wildlife researchers, students, and nature lovers.
Bharardaho Beel has developed as a natural habitat for flora and fauna,
plants and animals and an area rich in scenic beauty, with trees, water,
birds, wildlife, plants, and aquatic animals.
The committee recommended declaring the 'Bharardaho-Patoakamri' Beels and the
adjacent khas land as a special biodiversity conservation area according to
Section 22 (1) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act, 2012.
The committee also recommended widening Patoakamri Beel and developing it
like Bharardaho Beel for the purpose of developing the natural environment
and conserving biodiversity.
Riverine People Director and Begum Rokeya University Professor Dr Tuhin Wadud
told BSS that re-excavated Bharardaho Beel has revived the lost ecosystem to
become a safe home for native fish, insects, birds and animals with
extinction.
"The Beel has become a sanctuary for migratory and local birds, indigenous
small fishes, insects, small snails, algae, moss, aquatic plants and other
stem-less watery plants," said Dr Tuhin, also a noted river expert and
environmentalist.
EIR Project Director and BMDA Superintending Engineer Md Habibur Rahman Khan
said people are enjoying the stunning beauty of Bharardaho Beel, which can be
connected to Patoakamri Beel by digging a distance of just 116 meters.
"Patoakamri Beel banks can be developed like Bharardaho Beel and both the
Beels can factually become a popular tourist destination and eco-park amidst
revived ecosystems in the Rangpur region," he added.
The interim government will declare the two Beels as a sanctuary soon, he
added.
