Rising tourist deaths put Tanguar Haor safety in spotlight

The rising number of tourist fatalities at Tanguar Haor in Sunamganj in recent months has sparked growing concern, despite government efforts to improve safety and regulate tourism in the area.
Known for its vast wetlands, Tanguar Haor covers around 12,655 hectares across Tahirpur and Madhyanagar upazilas. During the monsoon, the haor turns into a vast waterbody, attracting thousands of tourists eager to enjoy its natural beauty.
More than 200 houseboats and around 400 other boats operate in the area to carry visitors. However, inadequate safety measures, lack of awareness and poor enforcement of administrative directives have contributed to a series of accidents, according to local residents and concerned officials.
The latest death occurred on 27 August, when Abdul Majed, 24, a student from Naodapara in Rajshahi, drowned while bathing in the haor. Majed had travelled there with 10 friends on a houseboat from Madhyanagar. His body was recovered after a three-hour search.
Earlier, on 21 August, 10-year-old Rokaiya Noor of Faridpur went missing after falling into the water while visiting Tanguar Haor with her family. Her body was recovered the following day. On 7 August, Ali Akbar Khan, 72, of Sirajganj, drowned while bathing at Karach Bagan in the haor.
On 6 June, eight-year-old Moumata Sarkar of Kamlabaj village in Dharmapasha was killed after being struck by a boat engine while visiting the haor with her family. On 30 May, 17-year-old Tamim Islam of Dharmapasha fell from the roof of a boat and drowned. His body was later recovered.
A similar incident occurred last year when five-year-old Masum Ahmed drowned after falling into the water through a boat window while visiting the haor with his parents on 15 August. In most of the recent incidents, the victims were not wearing life jackets, sources said.
Local residents and tourism-related stakeholders said visitors often ignore safety rules, including restrictions on swimming and bathing in dangerous areas. Many boats also lack adequate safety equipment. They alleged that although the administration regularly issues directives, their implementation remains weak.
The administration issued 13-point emergency instructions on 3 August following the government’s order on 6 November last year to protect Tanguar and Hakaluki haors. The directives include mandatory registration of tourist boats, ensuring adequate safety equipment, regulating boat movement and protecting the haor’s environment and biodiversity.
Obaidul Haque Milon, general secretary of the Haor and River Protection Movement, said the geographical risks of the haor, combined with tourists’ lack of awareness, were behind most accidents.
“Most accidents occur when tourists enter the water or swim without wearing life jackets,” he said, calling for mandatory use of life jackets and warning signs and red flags in dangerous areas, including Niladri Lake.
Arafat Hossain, president of the Houseboat Owners Association of Bangladesh, said greater awareness among tourists and boat operators was needed to prevent accidents. He also acknowledged that many boats, particularly those entering the haor through Madhyanagar, lack necessary safety equipment.
Md Matiur Rahman Khan, additional deputy commissioner of Sunamganj, said the administration and Department of Environment were conducting mobile court drives twice a week and that stricter legal action would be taken against violators.