Assessment of aquatic natural resources in the ...

Bangladesh J. Fish. Res., 15-16, 2011-12: 81-92

Assessment of aquatic natural resources in the Tanguar haor at Sunamgonj, Bangladesh M. Sahadat Hossain, M. Sirajul Islam*, P. Mondal1 and M. Enamul Hoq2 Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh 1 Planning Cell, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka 2 Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensing *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract The study from March 2011 to February 2012 in the Tanguar haor, Sunamgonj, Bangladesh found three habitat types of vegetation composition as upland, emergent and aquatic which included submerged plants (23), free floating plants (12), rooted floating plants (21), sedges and meadows (35), reed swamp (7), freshwater swamp forest (9), crop field vegetation (21) and homestead vegetations (36) species in the haor. The haor was rich in faunal composition that providing habitat of 122 species of fishes, 28 amphibians, 26 reptiles, 154 birds and 14 mammals in winter season. These natural resources made the habitat ecologically and socioeconomically important for the livelihood of haor dependent people. The study recognized the causes of degradation of the haor environment as insufficient information of its ecosystem elements, services and functions. Key words: Tanguar haor. Biodiversity, Flora, Fauna

Introduction Tanguar haor is the ‘mother fishery’ of Bangladesh, located between 25º06″ to 25º11″N and 91º01″ to 91º06″E at Tahirpur and Dharmapasha upazila with covering an area of 9727 ha, which 50% is water bodies and 31% crop land and the rest (19%) land providing habitat for more than 40,000 people through occupying 46 villages within its heart. It is also one of the famous breeding ground for native crabs and flat fishes of the country (Chakraborty et al. 2005). Another biodiversity investigation by Giesen and Rashid (1997) illustrated that Tanguar haor supports as many as 150 of an estimated total of 200 wetland plant species, 11 species of amphibians, 34 reptiles, 206 bird, 141 varieties of fish species and 31 mammals are found in this haor area. But there are 55 fish species are threatened of which 28 are endangered and out of 28 endangered fish species, 17 are found only in Tanguar haor. There are 400 species of migratory birds visit Bangladesh and Tanguar haor is the home to 98 species of migratory birds numbering about half a million at the peak period at the end of February.

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The millennium assessment of ecosystems puts freshwater biodiversity as the most threatened of all types of biodiversity in the world. The recent IUCN Red List (2010), listed 19 fishes, 34 mammals, 21 reptiles, and 29 birds, 16 plants are directly or indirectly dependent on wetland ecosystems but due to changes in demographic, economic, social and cultural behaviors resulting species under serious threats and extinction. These threats are mainly for anthropogenic reasons, rather than natural losses and degradation and Bangladesh has the highest percentage of threatened bird species (many of which are wetland-based) among all the South Asian countries where the highest percentage of threatened wetlands, of which 82 are found in Bangladesh alone. In this context, the present study was undertaken to assess the aquatic natural resources as well as fauna and floral composition in derelict haor ecosystem. Materials and methods Study area The study area was covered the South and North Sripur union of Tangaur haor, Sunamgonj was included different beels including Gozaria, Rajnagar, Noaler, Painnar, Kawar khal, Jor, Kainer konar, Dorer, Romiar, Satterpuri, Kolmar gop, Bhorar, Ainnar, Hatimara, Dholar chouk, and Kolmar beels are situated at south Sripur; and Kuirachatoler, Nowa haor, Shamsar, Rowa, Rupa, Kazzori, Karar, Biashkhali, Huar, Goinna kuri, Rowa, Purangaon, Erailla kona, Lechuamara, Tanergol, Nandinar, Purangaoner, Rowa, Goinna kuri and Dorer beels at the north Sripur union under the Tahirpur upazila in the Tanguar haor (Fig. 1).

Uttar Sreepur

Dakshin Sreepur

Fig. 1. The map showing the Tanguar haor and the study area (IUCN 2005). 82

Aquatic natural resources in the Tanguar haor

Sampling The line transect method of systematic sampling type were used due to limited time of survey. A representative species were chosen to determine for individual species occur and how much present. Diversity measurements The Simpson’s Index was used for estimating Species Richness Indices as well as Shannon-Wiener Index for calculating the Species Diversity Indices. Simpson's Index (D) was used to measure the probability of two randomly selected individuals in the habitat those will not belong to the same species, their number and relative abundance. The Simpson's Index of Diversity is used for measurement of diversity in certain area (Simpson 1949). The formula of Simpson's Index of Diversity (SID) = 1-D, Where D is a measure of diversity, computed as follows: D= Where, n = the total number of organisms of a particular species and N = the total number of organisms of all species. The value of D ranges between 0 (for no diversity) and 1 (for infinite diversity).

Shannon-Wiener Index (H) was used for assuming to characterize a representative species randomly sampled from the Tanguar haor’s large population for both abundance and evenness of the present species (Shannon 1948). Log2 were used to compare for estimating evenness. The value was found 1.5 to 3.5 but rarely to 4.5. The expected Shannon diversity (Exp H') was used as an alternative to H' to illustrate as an equivalent number of common species that required for alternative (H') samples. The observed diversity (H') was compared to the maximum value of Shannon diversity (Hmax) for equally abundant species (Clarke and Warwick 2001). The Shannon-Wiener Index (H') was used for calculating the abundances as the proportions of total abundance in the sample unit by considering the richness (S) as:

Where, abundance and

expressed as the total abundance of all species, referred as the proportional species’ abundance.

represented the species’

Quadrate method was used to estimate the population density of each species in this community as well as their number in per unit area. There are four quadrates of 1mx1m (1m2) were selected randomly. Then the average densities of a particular species were taken in average into per m2 and multiplied by the ratio of larger area to the sampled area of each quadrate for calculating as well as estimating the population size within the site. 83

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The following equations were used to estimate the density, abundance and frequency of the species in this area. Density = % Frequency or Frequency Index = Abundance = Focus group discussion (FGD) and Interview The main aim of FGD was to bring out the present and past status of natural resources of Tanguar haor as their observation. The FGD groups were composed of community leader, local political leader, member of Village Conservation Group (VCC) of Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Program (CBSMTHP) and fisherman. There are four FGDs were conducted in research area with local inhabitants at Sripur Bazar, and Bagli Bazar of North Sripur and Lamagaon Bazar and Patabuka village of South Sripur union. There is an open answer questionnaire method (interview) was used as one of the primary data collection method where the respondents expressed their past and present observation on floral and faunal composition. The respondents were selected based on the age (old stakeholder), profession (fisherman and housewife), social status (Union Parisad member and VCC), etc. Secondary data collection Different publications, field work, project work and institutional data, were used to identify the biological composition (flora and fauna) and their present status in test to the past 20 years. There are various sorts’ of possible instruments like binocular with high resolution, visual documentary, and suggestion from environmental biologists and conservators were used for identifying the resources. The most relevant research papers like Wetland Resources Specialist Study on Northeast Regional Water Management Plan, Bangladesh Wetland Ecosystem Information and Knowledge Base by BCAS (2000), Red list of threatened animals (IUCN 1990), Bangladesh environment and natural resource assessment and Biodiversity of Tanguar Haor: A Ramsar Site of Bangladesh (IUCN 2005) were used for pre-understanding and estimation of natural resources of this study area. Species identification The species was identified through the field visit as well as with the help of local peoples. The scientific name of species was collected from the research journals and published documents or record. To identify the floral composition, fishes, amphibians, 84


reptiles, birds, mammals and crops, the following literatures were used: Red Book of Threatened Fishes of Bangladesh (IUCN 1990), Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh (Rahman 1989), Wildlife of Bangladesh (Sarker and Huq 1985), Red Book of Threatened Amphibian and Reptiles of Bangladesh (IUCN 1990), Banglapedia, Biodiversity of Bangladesh by IPAC and other relevant bulletins and brochures were followed. Results and discussion Floral composition Three habitat types in the Sylhet region were identified on the basis of a collation of systematic botanical records by Kanjilal (1934) and Bennett et al. (1995) as i) upland vegetation: plants at the beel fringe and at all higher levels, including Crataeva, Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, Ardisia, Trewia, Ficus, Clinogyn, Litsaea, Duabanga, Eugenia, Hypotianthera, Symplocos, Pealii, Rhabdia, Homonoia, Antidesma, Bunius, Cunia, Engelherdia, Draeaena, and so on; ii) grassland: Emergent vegetation including Hygroryza, Panicum, Phragmites, and Arundo; and iii) aquatic vegetation: These include Nymphaeaceae, Araceae, Lemnaceae, Alismataceae, Najadaceae, Eriocaulaceae and Cyperaceae. Elements of the sequence of plant communities, or sometimes the entire sequence, may be absent from particular landscapes due to disruption from human activities. In the study, there were eight communities (estimated number of species in parentheses) identified as submerged plants (23), free floating plants (12), rooted floating plants (21), sedges and meadows (35), floodplain grassland or reed swamp (7), fresh water swamp forest (9), crop field vegetation (21) and homestead vegetation (36) (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. The floral composition found at Tanguar haor.

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Submerged and free floating plants, sedges and meadows: Tanguar haor is rich with the freshwater plant species almost covering in the every spheres of its basin. There are 23 submerged plant species have been identified in the haor (Table 1). The submerged plants are decomposed and work as organic fertilizer during the winter season. Consequently low chemical pesticides are needed in the agricultural land of haor. The haor is also rich with the free floating plant species which almost covering in the every spheres of its basin. Among them, duckweed, water ferns, water cabbage and fairy moss are abundant (Table 1). There are 34 species of sedge and meadows plants species have been identified in the haor as Dhol kalmi, Kalmi, Chailla, Khaki weed, Kachu, Shital pati Make tree, Helancha, Bhikatal etc (Table 1). Table 1. List of submerged, free floating plants and sedges-meadows in the Tanguar haor Local name English name Submerged plants Kureli/ Jhangi Drifting sword plant Floating lace plant Cape pond weed Round fruit blyxa Eelgrass Eelgrass Singra Hornwort Common hornwort Water milfoil Eura water milfoil Pike water milfoil Brittle water nymph Duck lettuce Pondweed Curly pondweed Hamilton Lappula Keorali Arrowhead Goisa Panikola Chhotokul Ghechu Free floating plants Kochuri Water hyacinth pana Khudhi Water meal pana Asian water meal Bladderworts Leafy bladderwort Sterblasiekruid Kuti pana Duckweed Patajajhi Water ferns Mosquito fern Fairy moss

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Scientific name Hydrilla verticillata Aponogeton natans A. undulates A. distachyos Blyxa sp. Vallisnaria spiralis Lagarosiphon roxburghii Ceratophyllum desmersum Myriophyllum tetrandrum M. tuberculatu M. spicatum Najas minor Ottelia alismoides Potamogeton mucronatus P. crispus Rotala rutundifolia Sagittaria guayanensis spp. Potamogeton Sagittaria sagittifolia Najas Ottelia Sagittaria Aponogeton Eichhornia crassipes Wolffia arrhiza W. microscopica Utricularia exoleata U. aurea U. stellaris Pistia Stratiotes Salvinia natans S. cucullata Azolla pinnata

Local name English name Sedges-meadows Dhol kalmi

Scientific name Ipomoea fistulosa

Kalmi

-

I. aquatica

Baranukha Chailla Khakiweed Shital pati Kachu Mutha Helancha Joina Kukra Bishkatali -

Jointvetches Indian jointvetch Giant cane Spider flower Cool mat tree Coco yam False daisy Water chestnut Grasslike fimbry Tall fringe rush Pink morning glory Red Ludwigia Arrow leaf Brownbeard rice Woolly sunflower

Monochoria hastata Hemarthria protensa Aeschynomene aspera A. indica Alternanthera philoxeroides Arundo donax Cleome hasslerana Clinogyne dichotoma Colocasia esculenta Cyperus Eclipta alba Eleocharis ducis Enhydra fluctuans Fimbristylis dichotoma F. miliacea F. squarrosa Ipomoea fistulosa Ludwigia repens Monochoria hastana Oryza rufipogon Polygonum glabrum P. stagninum

-

-

Palla Vetiver Ditchbur

Jointweed Golden dock Yellow foxtail Cattail grass Sedge triangle -

P. lanatum P. pedunculare P. barbatum Mumex maritimus Setaria glauca S. fusca Schoenoplectus articulates Scirpus juncoides Vetiveria zizaniodes Xanthium indicum


Rooted floating plants and floodplain grassland or reed swamp: The haor covers almost all fresh water rooted floating plant species like nilshapla, sadashapla, chandmala, kumudini, Singra, Paniphal, Helencha etc (Table 2). These plant species are composed of the transitional includes sedge or meadow and reed swamp species along with the grass species which are not identified yet. These are more useful resources for the local community. Table 2. List of rooted floating plants, floodplain grassland/ reed swamp, homestead vegetation, fresh water swamp forest and crop field vegetation in Tanguar haor Local name English name Rooted floating plants Nilshapla Sadashapla Water lily Chandmala Fringed water lily Floating heart Floating-heart Kumudini Banana lilly Panchuli Singra, Paniphal Makhna Parua Barnyard grasses Perennial grass Rice paddy herb Purple mudwort Water clover Padda Lotus Shapla Water lily Proso millet Switch grass Thankuni Helencha Floodplain grassland/ reed swamp Binna, Gandhabena Khagra Hogla Khag/ Kash Khuri Nol/ Baranol, Bonolat Satamuli Bhuiokra Gunja kata Sanskrit Shon Homestead vegetation Aam Mango trees Ada Shell ginger Bansh Common bamboo Baroi Indian plum Bel Bengal quince Bot Indian banyan tree

Scientific name Nymphaea stellata N. nouchali Nymphoides cristatum Nymphoides aurantiaca Nymphoides aquatic Nymphoides cordata Nymphoides hydrophylla Nymphoides indicum Trapa maximowiczii Euryale ferox Echinocholoa colonum Hygroryza aristata Limnophila sessiliflora Limnophila heterophylla Mersilea quadrifoliata Nelumbo nucifera Nymphaea stellata Panicum paludosum Pseudoraphis brunoninan Centella asiatica Enhydra flactuans Vetiveria zizanioides Phragmites karka Typha elephantina Saccharum spontaneum Sclerostachya fusca Arundo donax Ficus heterophylla Asparagus racemosus Lippia javanica Rosa involucrata Asparagus racemosus Imperata cylindrica Mangifera indica Alpinia sp. Bombusa sp. Zizyphus mauritiana Aegel marmelos Ficus bengalensis

Local name English name Homestead vegetation Corol Coral tree Rumpfs fig tree Pepul Peepul tree Ficus tree Giant crape-myrtle Climbing hempvine Heartleaf hempvine Tropical almond Rain tree Rain tree Sil koroi Sanskrit Screwpine Sirises Silk trees Supari Areca nut palm Tetul Tamarind Thankuni Tula Cotton tree Zam Fresh water swamp forest Hijal Koroch Barun Gotagamar Bias, Panihijal Chitki Potato bush G. milkweed Madar Crop field vegetation Sessile joyweed Spiny amaranth Water fern Wormseed Ban tulsi -

Wid camomile Ban tulsi Bermuda grass Sneezewort Creeping lickstoop Indian crabgrass Purple spikerush Indian goose grass Indian heliotrope

Scientific name Erythrina variegate Ficus rumphii Ficus religiosa Ficus benjamina Lagerstromia speciosa Mikania scandens Mikania cordata Terminalia catappa Samanea saman Albizia procera Pandanus tectorius Albizia sp. Areca catechu Tamarindus indica Centella asitica Bombax ceiba Syzygium fruticosa Barringtonia acutangula Pongamia pinnata Crataeva nurvala Trewia nudiflora Salix tetrasperma Phyllanthus disticha Phyllanthus reticulatus Asclepias climbers Erythrina variegata Alternanthera sessilis Amaranthus spinosus Ceratopteris thalictroides Chenopodium ambrosoides Cotula hemispherica Croton bonplandianum Cynodon dactylon Centipeda orbicularis Dentella repens Digitaria longiflora Eleocharis atropurpurea Eleusina indica Heliotropium indicum

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Dhutra Harikakra Hoary basil Jambul Kadam Kandhal Kannada Kola Narikel

Dhautura Black plum Jackfruit Ficus Banana tree Coconut

Datura suaveolens Erythrina ovalifolia Ocimum americanum Syzygium cumini Anthocephalus chinensis Artocarpus heterophyllus Ficus hispida Musa paradisiacal Cocos nucifera

Kalodhuli -

Leucas False pimpernel Buffalo grass Hack Yellow cress Nightshade Tit begun Black nightshade Toothache plant

Leucas lavendulifolia Lindernia crustacean Paspalum conjugatum Rottboellia protensa Rorippa indica Solanum khasianum Solanum filicifolium Solanum nigrum Spilanthes acmella

Homestead vegetation, crop field vegetation and freshwater swamp forest: The adjacent landmass to the fresh water body, there are almost all types of homestead plants species like other parts of Bangladesh are found in the villages situated in the haor. There are many fresh water swamp forest plants species were identified in the haor (Table 2). Faunal composition It is extremely rich in fisheries resources. The varied number of fish species is linked with a complex network of food web in the entire ecosystem and so maintaining the integrity of the food web is a must for ecological balance of the haor and to increase fish production in Bangladesh. The present study shows that the common fish species 39% in Tanguar haor is higher than other faunal species (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. The faunal composition found at Tanguar haor.

Fishes: A total of 104 common fish species (Table 4) and 18 catfish species (Table 5) were recorded from the haor. Another related study shows 135 fish species have been recorded, including 15 species listed as critically endangered in Bangladesh: Bagarius bagarius, Clupisoma garua, Crossocheilus latius, Ctenops nobilis, Eutropiichthys vacha, Labeo boga, Mystus seenghala, Notopterus chitala, Pangasius pangasius, Rasbora elanga, Rasbora rasbora, Rita rita, Rohtee cotio, Silonia silondia and Tor tor (Rahman 1989). 88


Table 4. List of common fish species in Tanguar haor Local name Angra labeo Anju Baghair Baim Baitka Balitora Bamosh Banspata Bata Bechi Bele Bele Bhol Bhut bele Bilturi Boal Bou mach Chapila Chebli Chela Chenua Chep chela Chewa Chital Chital Chuna Chunobele Dari Darkina Darkina Dhal magur Gachua Gachua Gang tengra Ghar poia Ghonia Ghor poa Ghora chela Ghora mach Gilipunti Goti poa Gozar Grass carp

English name Zebra danio Dwarf goonch Zig-zag eel Not known Balitora minnow Bengal eel Sind danio Bata Blue panchax Scribbled goby Tank goby Trout barb Dusky sleeper Mottled loach Wallago Bengal loach Indian river shad Giant danio Silver minnow Indian glass barb Clown knifefish Bronze featherback Honey gourami Flying barb Slender rasbora Walking snakehead Sucker head Boggut labeo Golden barb Archerfish Great snakehead Grass carp

Scientific name Labeo angra Danio rerio Bagarius bagarius Mastacembelus armatus Labeo pangusia Psilorhynchus balitora Ophisternon bengalense Devario devario Labeo bata Aplocheilus panchax Awaous grammepomus Glossogobius giuris Raiamas bola Eleotris fusca Acanthocobitis botia Wallago attu Botia dario Gudusia chapra Devario aequipinnatus Salmostoma acinaces Sisor rabdophorus Chela laubuca Pseudapocryptes elongatus Chitala chitala Notopterus notopterus Trichogaster chuna Gobiopterus chuno Schistura scaturigina Esomus danricus Rasbora daniconius Glyptothorax telchitta Channa gachua

Local name Kakila Kalibaus Kanchanpunti Kani tengra Kani tengra Katol Keti Khailsha Khorsula Koirka Kosuati Kuchia Kumirer khil Kursha Kutakanti Long chanda Mola punti Mola Mrigal Muri bacha Muribacha Napte koi Nodoi Nuna bailla Phasa Phutani punti Poa Poia Potka Puiya Punti Punti

English name Freshwater garfish Orange-fin labeo Rosy barb Catla Banded gourami Corsula Cuchia Crocodile pipefish Kalabans Elongate perchlet Glass-barb Mola carplet Mrigal Garua Bachcha Badis Gangetic leaffish Hairfin anchovy Spottedsail barb Pama croaker Gongota loach Green pufferfish Loktak loach Swamp barb Puntio barb

Scientific name Xenentodon cancila Labeo calbasu Puntius conchonius Glyptothorax cavia Pseudolaguvia shawi Catla catla Osteobrama cotio cotio Colisa fasciata Rhinomugil corsula Schistura corica Oreichthys cosuatis Monopterus cuchia Microphis cuncalus Sinilabeo dero Erethistes hara Chanda nama Puntius guganio Amblypharyngodon mola Cirrhinus cirrhosus Eutropiichthys murius Clupisoma garua Badis badis Nandus nandus Brachygobius nunus Setipinna phasa Puntius phutunio Otolithoides pama Somileptus gongota Tetraodon fluviatilis Lepidocephalichthys irrorata Puntius chola Puntius puntio

Channa orientalis

River catfish

-

Eutropiichthys vacha

Rui Savon khorka Shada ghonia Shankhachii Shol Shorpunti Silver carp Suncush Suncush Taki

Rohu Kuria labeo Banded eagle ray Snakehead murrel Olive barb Silver carp Dwarf whipray Cowtail stingray Spotted snakehead

Labeo rohita Schistura savona Labeo gonius Aetomylaeus nichofii Channa striata Puntius sarana Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Himantura walga Pastinachus sephen Channa punctata

Tara baim

Lesser spiny eel

Macrognathus aculeatus

Tengra Tengra

Day's mystus Ocellated pufferfish Onespot barb Ticto barb River stone carp Chaguni

Batasio batasio Mystus bleekeri

Gura tengra

-

Gutum Hatchetfish

Annandale loach -

Gagata cenia Garra gotyla gotyla Labeo boggut Garra annandalei Securicula gora Labeo dyocheilus Puntius gelius Toxotes chatareus Channa marulius Ctenopharyngodon idella Chandramara chandramara L. annandalei Chela cachius

Jaya

Jaya

Aspidoparia jaya

Tepa

Kachki Kachki Kajuli Kajuli

Ganges river sprat Yellowtail mullet Gangetic ailia Jamuna ailia

Corica soborna Sicamugil cascasia Ailia coila Ailiichthys punctata

Teri punti Tit punti Titari Utii

Tetraodon cutcutia Puntius terio Puntius ticto Psilorhynchus sucatio Chagunius chagunio

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Table 5. List of catfish species in Tanguar haor Local name Air Ayre Arwari Catfish Catfish Cheka Gagla Gang magur Kani pabda

English name River catfish Long catfish Menoda catfish Indian catfish Not known Squarehead catfish Gagora catfish Gray eel catfish Butter catfish

Scientific name Sperata seenghala Sperata aor Hemibagrus menoda Amblyceps mangois Gagata gagata Chaca chaca Arius gagora Plotosus canius Ompok bimaculatus

Local name Madhu pabda Koi Koi Nuna tengra Pabda catfish Pangas Pankal baim Shillong Shingi

English name Pabdah catfish Walking catfish Spike tail fish Whiskers catfish Pabo catfish Yellowtail catfish Barred spiny eel Silond catfish Stinging catfish

Scientific name Ompok pabda Clarias batrachus P. cupanus Mystus gulio Ompok pabo Pangasius pangasius M. pancalus Silonia silondia Heteropneustes fossilis

Reptile, mammals and amphibians species: A total of 28 reptile species were recorded from study on Tanguar Haor. Due to the climate change, pollution, disturbance and lack of proper management, there are some species have been extinct from the Tangaur haor. A total of 15 mammal species were recorded from study on Tanguar Haor. A total of 28 amphibian species were recorded from study on Tanguar haor (Table 6). The most common amphibians are Indus Valley Toad, Common Indian Toad, Smith's Litter Frog, White-bellied pug-snout frog, Marbled balloon frog, Southern cricket frog, Indian Fivefingered Frog, Jerdon`s Bullfrog, Common Tree Frog etc. Table 6. List of reptile, amphibians and mammals species in the Tanguar haor Local name English name Reptile species Keel back Ghokra Cobra Sada shap White snake White keel back Wall's keel back Barbour's snake Zigzag snake Black keel back Northern snake Tiger keel back Yellow keel back Atretium Sea leopard snake Mud snake Rice paddy snake Macleay's snake Water snake Monitor lizard Monitor lizard Monitor lizard Monitor lizard Monitor lizard -

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Monitor lizard Monitor lizard Monitor lizard Monitor lizard

Scientific name Amphiesma andrae Naja naja A. flavifrons A. leucomystax A. xenura Rhabdophis barbouri Rhabdophis lineata R. nigrocincta R. spilogaster Rhabdophis tigrinus X. flavipunctatus Atretium schistosum Enhydris bocourti Enhydris gyii Enhydris plumbea E. polylepis E. sieboldi Varanus bitatawa V. mabitang V. olivaceus Python molurus Geochlemys hamiltoni V. flavescens Asperderetes hurum Kachuga tecta Lissemys punctata

Local name English name Amphibians species Garo hill frog Cope's assam frog Taipei frog Chunam tree frog Common tree frog Bubble nest frog Green puddle frog Pierre's wart frog Terai wart frog Alpine frog Cricket frog Nepal wart frog Indian frog Skittering frog Northern frog Burrowing frog Indus bullfrog Jerdon`s bullfrog S.Lankan bullfrog Mammals species Shushuk Gangetic dolphin Shiyal Bengal fox -

Coated otter Indian pangolin Common otter Small indian civet

Scientific name Hylarana garoensis Hylarana leptoglossa Hylarana taipehensis Polypedates maculatus P. leucomystax Raorchestes parvulus Occidozyga lima Fejervarya pierrei Fejervarya teraiensis Fejervarya limnocharis Fejervarya syhadrensis Fejervarya nepalensis Euphlyctis hexadactylus Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Occidozyga borealis Sphaerotheca breviceps H. tigerinus Hoplobatrachus crassus Kaloula taprobanica Platanista gangeticus Vulpes benghalensis Lutra perspicillata Manis crassicauda Lutra lutra Viverra indica


Amphibians species Indus valley toad Indian toad Crowned toad Smith's litter frog Berdmore's frog Ornamented frog White snout frog Asian painted frog

D. stomaticus D. melanostictus Xenophrys parva Leptobrachium smithi Microhyla berdmorei Microhyla ornata Ramanella variegata Kaloula pulchra

Ban biral Shiyal

Jungle cat Fox

Felis chaus Canis aureus

Idur

Mongooses Squirrel

Herpestes spp. Ratufa bicolor

Rat

Bandicota bengalensis

Badur

House shrew

Crocidura fuliginosa

Bat

Cynopterus sphinx

Mecho biral

Sunda pangolin

Manis javanica

Fishing cat

Prionailurus viverrinus

Wetlands are the most important ecosystem of aquatic organism where aquatic organisms are live and Tanguar haor is the great wetland ecosystem of Bangladesh. Although it is very rich by depository of vegetations, aquatic plants, reeds and algae but hampering its natural eco-environment through human interfere such as hunting, shooting or catching of wetland flora and fauna. The major causes of wetland conversion and degradation have been recognized as incomplete information on their ecological services and functions, the high opportunity cost of their maintenance, the structural causes associated with who bears the costs and enjoys the benefits from their maintenance or conversion, and the lack of appropriate and recognized property rights i.e., policy related to environment, especially biodiversity, in the country demands further attention. So, it is necessary to prevent un-wise wetland conversion and minimize their unsustainable uses; strictly prohibit trawler and engine boat; declaring some part as core zone where any human activity will be under punishment; prohibit fishing or any activities that destroy or hamper the fish breeding ground; some demarcated region as hatchery; afforestation program of water tolerant plant species; ensuring fence and resting place for migratory birds; local participation for biodiversity conservation; identification, promotion and replication of successful cases of partnerships for wetland management and conservation as well as large-scale awareness at all levels for sustainable management of wetland and wetland based biological resources in Bangladesh. Acknowledgements Special thanks to the officials of IUCN-Bangladesh, CNRS-Bangladesh, and Sripur Union Council in the haor region for providing guidelines and sharing their experiences about the natural resource degradation and management of Tanguar haor. References BCAS (Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies), 2000. Wetlands of Bangladesh, Published by Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 6-12.

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