Jewel Biswas,Dbrata24; Sunamganj — In a decisive move to safeguard the fragile ecosystem of Tanguar Haor, the Sunamganj district administration has issued an urgent 13-point regulatory directive.
The new policy imposes strict controls on tourist houseboats, bans engine-run vessels from sensitive zones, and strictly prohibits high-volume sound systems within the wetland area.
Signed by Mohammad Minhajur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Sunamganj and President of the Haor Protection Implementation and Monitoring Committee, the official notification mandates immediate compliance from all vessel operators.
Targeted Restrictions to Protect Critical Zones
Clarifying the operational scope of the new rules, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Motiur Rahman Khan stated that the restrictions were finalized following consultations with houseboat owners.
“Engine-driven vessels will not be allowed to enter or navigate the specific Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) of the haor, rather than the entire body of water,” Khan explained. “There are no restrictions on tourist boats operating in the remaining areas. Vessels carrying tourists can still travel through Matian Haor and the Boulai River to reach Tekerghat.”
The latest directives stem from the implementation of the ‘Tanguar Haor and Hakaluki Haor Protection Order 2025’ issued by the government on November 6 last year, updating a previous 12-point guideline introduced in June 2023.
Core Guidelines of the 13-Point Directive
To minimize environmental degradation and ensure tourist safety, the administration has outlined several non-negotiable requirements:
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Registration & Authorization: Mandatory registration for all houseboats. Unregistered or unauthorized vessels are strictly prohibited from operating.
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Noise & Plastic Control: A total ban on high-volume music, loudspeakers, and party events on houseboats, along with a prohibition on single-use plastics.
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Waste Management: Mandatory installation of septic tanks and at least two trash bins per vessel. Direct dumping of any waste into the haor is strictly forbidden.
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Vessel Dimensions & Hygiene: Houseboat length is capped at a maximum of 100 feet, and all vessels must carry water filtration systems.
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Safety Requirements: Adequate life jackets, lifebuoys, fire extinguishers, and safe gas cylinder handling are required on every vessel. Operators must halt operations during severe weather, thunderstorms, or heavy rainfall.
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Awareness & Emergency Contacts: Displaying tourist codes of conduct and emergency contact numbers (district/upazila administration, police, fire service, and local hospitals) in visible locations on every boat.
Tight Deadline for Operator Compliance
The district administration confirmed that the new directives take effect immediately.
Vessel owners have been instructed to submit their houseboat registration applications, complete with necessary documentation, to the Deputy Commissioner’s office by August 10.
Authorities warned that any vessel failing to meet the registration deadline or operating without official permission will be barred from navigating the Tanguar Haor waters.