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Assessment of aquatic natural resources in the Tanguar at Sunamgonj,

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Assessment of aquatic natural resources in the at Sunamgonj, Bangladesh

M. Sahadat Hossain, M. Sirajul Islam*, P. Mondal 1 and M. Enamul Hoq 2 Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh 1Planning Cell, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka 2Bangladesh 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 (23), free floating plants (12), rooted floating plants (21), sedges and meadows (35), reed (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 , 28 , 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 ’ of Bangladesh, located between 25º06 ″ to 25º11 ″N and 91º01 ″ to 91º06 ″E at Tahirpur and Dharmapasha 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 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. M.S. Hossain et al.

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 , 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 in the Tanguar haor (Fig. 1).

Uttar

Sreepur

Dakshin Sreepur

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

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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 (H max ) 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, expressed as the total abundance of all species, represented the species’ abundance and referred as the proportional species’ abundance. 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 m 2 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 (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

Aquatic natural resources in the Tanguar haor

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 and Reptiles of Bangladesh (IUCN 1990), , Biodiversity of Bangladesh by IPAC and other relevant bulletins and brochures were followed.

Results and discussion

Floral composition Three habitat types in the 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), 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 Scientific name Local name English name Scientific name Submerged plants Sedges-meadows Kureli/ - - Hydrilla verticillata Dhol kalmi Ipomoea fistulosa Jhangi - Drifting sword Kalmi - I. aquatica Aponogeton natans plant - Floating lace plant A. undulates Baranukha - Monochoria hastata - Cape weed A. distachyos Chailla - Hemarthria protensa - Round fruit blyxa Blyxa sp. - Jointvetches Aeschynomene aspera Eelgrass Eelgrass Vallisnaria spiralis - Indian jointvetch A. indica Singra Hornwort Lagarosiphon roxburghii Khakiweed - Alternanthera philoxeroides - Common hornwort Ceratophyllum desmersum - Giant cane Arundo donax - Water milfoil Myriophyllum tetrandrum - Spider flower Cleome hasslerana - Eura water milfoil M. tuberculatu Shital pati Cool mat tree Clinogyne dichotoma - Pike water milfoil M. spicatum Kachu Coco yam Colocasia esculenta - Brittle water nymph Najas minor Mutha - Cyperus - Duck lettuce Ottelia alismoides - False daisy Eclipta alba - Pondweed Potamogeton mucronatus - Water chestnut Eleocharis ducis - Curly pondweed P. crispus Helancha - Enhydra fluctuans - Hamilton Rotala rutundifolia Joina - Fimbristylis dichotoma Lappula - Sagittaria guayanensis spp. - Grasslike fimbry F. miliacea Keorali - Potamogeton - Tall fringe rush F. squarrosa - Arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia - Pink morning glory Ipomoea fistulosa Goisa - Najas - Red Ludwigia Ludwigia repens Panikola - Ottelia - Arrow leaf Monochoria hastana Chhotokul - Sagittaria - Brownbeard rice Oryza rufipogon Ghechu - Aponogeton Kukra - Polygonum glabrum Free floating plants Bishkatali - P. stagninum Kochuri Water hyacinth - Woolly sunflower Eichhornia crassipes P. lanatum pana Khudhi Water meal - - Wolffia arrhiza P. pedunculare pana - Asian water meal W. microscopica - Jointweed P. barbatum - Bladderworts Utricularia exoleata - Golden dock Mumex maritimus - Leafy bladderwort U. aurea - Yellow foxtail Setaria glauca - Sterblasiekruid U. stellaris - Cattail grass S. fusca Kuti pana Duckweed Pistia Stratiotes Palla - Schoenoplectus articulates Patajajhi Water ferns Salvinia natans - Sedge triangle Scirpus juncoides - Mosquito fern S. cucullata Vetiver - Vetiveria zizaniodes - Fairy moss Azolla pinnata Ditchbur - Xanthium indicum

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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 Scientific name Local name English name Scientific name Rooted floating plants Homestead vegetation Nilshapla - Nymphaea stellata Corol Coral tree Erythrina variegate Sadashapla Water lily N. nouchali - Rumpfs fig tree Ficus rumphii Chandmala - Nymphoides cristatum Pepul Peepul tree Ficus religiosa - Fringed water lily Nymphoides aurantiaca - Ficus tree Ficus benjamina - Floating heart Nymphoides aquatic - Giant crape-myrtle Lagerstromia speciosa - Floating-heart Nymphoides cordata - Climbing hempvine Mikania scandens Kumudini Banana lilly Nymphoides hydrophylla - Heartleaf hempvine Mikania cordata Panchuli - Nymphoides indicum - Tropical almond Terminalia catappa Singra, Paniphal - Trapa maximowiczii Rain tree Rain tree Samanea saman Makhna - Euryale ferox Sil koroi - Albizia procera Parua Barnyard grasses Echinocholoa colonum Sanskrit Screwpine Pandanus tectorius - Perennial grass Hygroryza aristata Sirises Silk trees Albizia sp. - Rice paddy herb Limnophila sessiliflora Supari Areca nut palm Areca catechu - Purple mudwort Limnophila heterophylla Tetul Tamarind Tamarindus indica - Water clover Mersilea quadrifoliata Thankuni - Centella asitica Padda Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Tula Cotton tree Bombax ceiba Shapla Water lily Nymphaea stellata Zam - Syzygium fruticosa - Proso millet Panicum paludosum Fresh water swamp forest - Switch grass Pseudoraphis brunoninan Hijal - Barringtonia acutangula Thankuni - Centella asiatica Koroch - Pongamia pinnata Helencha - Enhydra flactuans Barun - Crataeva nurvala Floodplain grassland/ reed swamp Gotagamar - Trewia nudiflora Binna, - - Vetiveria zizanioides Bias, Panihijal Salix tetrasperma Gandhabena Khagra - Phragmites karka Chitki - Phyllanthus disticha Hogla - Typha elephantina Potato bush - Phyllanthus reticulatus Khag/ Kash - Saccharum spontaneum G. milkweed - Asclepias climbers Khuri - Sclerostachya fusca Madar - Erythrina variegata Nol/ Baranol, - Arundo donax Crop field vegetation Bonolat - Ficus heterophylla - Sessile joyweed Alternanthera sessilis Satamuli - Asparagus racemosus - Spiny amaranth Amaranthus spinosus Bhuiokra - Lippia javanica - Water fern Ceratopteris thalictroides - - Chenopodium Gunja kata Rosa involucrata Wormseed ambrosoides Sanskrit - Asparagus racemosus - Wid camomile Cotula hemispherica Shon - Imperata cylindrica Ban tulsi Ban tulsi Croton bonplandianum Homestead vegetation - Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon Aam Mango trees Mangifera indica - Sneezewort Centipeda orbicularis Ada Shell ginger Alpinia sp. - Creeping lickstoop Dentella repens Bansh Common bamboo Bombusa sp. - Indian crabgrass Digitaria longiflora Baroi Indian plum Zizyphus mauritiana - Purple spikerush Eleocharis atropurpurea Bel Bengal quince Aegel marmelos - Indian goose grass Eleusina indica Bot Indian banyan tree Ficus bengalensis - Indian heliotrope Heliotropium indicum 87

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Dhutra Dhautura Datura suaveolens - Leucas Leucas lavendulifolia Harikakra - Erythrina ovalifolia - False pimpernel Lindernia Hoary basil - Ocimum americanum - Buffalo grass Paspalum conjugatum Jambul Black plum Syzygium cumini - Hack Rottboellia protensa Kadam - Anthocephalus chinensis - Yellow cress Rorippa indica Kandhal Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus - Nightshade Solanum khasianum Kannada Ficus Ficus hispida - Tit begun Solanum filicifolium Kola Banana tree Musa paradisiacal Kalodhuli Black nightshade Solanum nigrum Narikel Coconut Cocos nucifera - Toothache plant 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).

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Table 4. List of common fish species in Tanguar haor

Local name English name Scientific name Local name English name Scientific name Angra labeo - Labeo angra Kakila Freshwater garfish Xenentodon cancila Anju Zebra danio Danio rerio Kalibaus Orange-fin labeo Labeo calbasu Baghair Dwarf goonch Bagarius bagarius Kanchanpunti Rosy barb conchonius Baim Zig-zag eel Mastacembelus armatus Kani tengra - Glyptothorax cavia Baitka Not known Labeo pangusia Kani tengra - Pseudolaguvia shawi Balitora Balitora Psilorhynchus balitora Katol Catla Catla catla Bamosh Bengal eel Ophisternon bengalense Keti - Osteobrama cotio cotio Banspata Sind danio Devario devario Khailsha Banded gourami Colisa fasciata Bata Bata Labeo bata Khorsula Corsula Rhinomugil corsula Bechi Blue panchax Aplocheilus panchax Koirka - Schistura corica Bele Scribbled goby Awaous grammepomus Kosuati - Oreichthys cosuatis Bele Tank goby Glossogobius giuris Kuchia Cuchia Monopterus cuchia Bhol Trout barb Raiamas bola Kumirer khil Crocodile pipefish Microphis cuncalus Bhut bele Dusky sleeper Eleotris fusca Kursha Kalabans Sinilabeo dero Bilturi Mottled loach Acanthocobitis botia Kutakanti - Erethistes hara Boal Wallago Wallago attu Long chanda Elongate perchlet Chanda nama Bou mach Bengal loach Botia dario Mola punti Glass-barb Puntius guganio Chapila Indian river shad Gudusia chapra Mola Mola carplet Amblypharyngodon mola Chebli Giant danio Devario aequipinnatus Mrigal Mrigal Cirrhinus cirrhosus Chela Silver minnow Salmostoma acinaces Muri bacha - Eutropiichthys murius Chenua - Sisor rabdophorus Muribacha Garua Bachcha Clupisoma garua Chep chela Indian glass barb Chela laubuca Napte koi Badis Badis badis Chewa - Pseudapocryptes elongatus Nodoi Gangetic leaffish Nandus nandus Chital Clown knifefish Chitala chitala Nuna bailla - Brachygobius nunus Chital Bronze featherback Notopterus notopterus Phasa Hairfin Setipinna phasa Chuna Honey gourami Trichogaster chuna Phutani punti Spottedsail barb Puntius phutunio Chunobele - Gobiopterus chuno Poa Pama croaker Otolithoides pama Dari - Schistura scaturigina Poia Gongota loach Somileptus gongota Darkina Flying barb Esomus danricus Potka Green pufferfish Tetraodon fluviatilis Darkina Slender rasbora Rasbora daniconius Puiya Loktak loach Lepidocephalichthys irrorata Dhal magur - Glyptothorax telchitta Punti Swamp barb Puntius chola Gachua - Channa gachua Punti Puntio barb Puntius puntio Walking Gachua Channa orientalis River catfish - Eutropiichthys vacha snakehead Gang tengra - Gagata cenia Rui Rohu Labeo rohita Ghar poia Sucker head Garra gotyla gotyla Savon khorka - Schistura savona Ghonia Boggut labeo Labeo boggut Shada ghonia Kuria labeo Labeo gonius Ghor poa - Garra annandalei Shankhachii Banded eagle ray Aetomylaeus nichofii Ghora chela - Securicula gora Shol Snakehead murrel Channa striata Ghora mach - Labeo dyocheilus Shorpunti Olive barb Puntius sarana Gilipunti Golden barb Puntius gelius Silver carp Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Goti poa Archerfish Toxotes chatareus Suncush Dwarf whipray Himantura walga Gozar Great snakehead Channa marulius Suncush Cowtail stingray Pastinachus sephen Grass carp Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella Taki Spotted snakehead Channa punctata Chandramara Gura tengra - Tara baim Lesser spiny eel Macrognathus aculeatus chandramara Gutum Annandale loach L. annandalei Tengra - Batasio batasio Hatchetfish - Chela cachius Tengra Day's mystus Mystus bleekeri Ocellated Jaya Jaya Aspidoparia jaya Tepa Tetraodon cutcutia pufferfish Kachki river sprat Corica soborna Teri punti Onespot barb Puntius terio Kachki Yellowtail mullet Sicamugil cascasia Tit punti Ticto barb Puntius ticto Kajuli Gangetic ailia Ailia coila Titari River stone carp Psilorhynchus sucatio Kajuli Jamuna ailia Ailiichthys punctata Utii Chaguni Chagunius chagunio

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Table 5. List of catfish species in Tanguar haor

Local name English name Scientific name Local name English name Scientific name Air River catfish Sperata seenghala Madhu pabda Pabdah catfish Ompok pabda Ayre Long catfish Sperata aor Koi Walking catfish Clarias batrachus Arwari Menoda catfish Hemibagrus menoda Koi Spike tail fish P. cupanus Catfish Indian catfish Amblyceps mangois Nuna tengra Whiskers catfish Mystus gulio Catfish Not known Gagata gagata Pabda catfish Pabo catfish Ompok pabo Cheka Squarehead catfish Chaca chaca Pangas Yellowtail catfish Pangasius pangasius Gagla Gagora catfish Arius gagora Pankal baim Barred spiny eel M. pancalus Gang magur Gray eel catfish Plotosus canius Shillong Silond catfish Silonia silondia Kani pabda Butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus Shingi Stinging catfish 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 , White-bellied pug-snout frog, Marbled balloon frog, Southern cricket frog, Indian Five- fingered 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 Scientific name Local name English name Scientific name Reptile species Amphibians species - Keel back Amphiesma andrae - Garo hill frog Hylarana garoensis Ghokra Cobra Naja naja - Cope's assam frog Hylarana leptoglossa Sada shap White snake A. flavifrons - Taipei frog Hylarana taipehensis - White keel back A. leucomystax - Chunam tree frog Polypedates maculatus - Wall's keel back A. xenura - Common tree frog P. leucomystax - Barbour's snake Rhabdophis barbouri - Bubble nest frog Raorchestes parvulus - Zigzag snake Rhabdophis lineata - Green puddle frog Occidozyga lima - Black keel back R. nigrocincta - Pierre's wart frog Fejervarya pierrei - Northern snake R. spilogaster - Terai wart frog Fejervarya teraiensis - Tiger keel back Rhabdophis tigrinus - Alpine frog Fejervarya limnocharis - Yellow keel back X. flavipunctatus - Cricket frog Fejervarya syhadrensis - Atretium Atretium schistosum - wart frog Fejervarya nepalensis - Sea leopard snake Enhydris bocourti - Indian frog Euphlyctis hexadactylus - Mud snake Enhydris gyii - Skittering frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis - Rice paddy snake Enhydris plumbea - Northern frog Occidozyga borealis - Macleay's snake E. polylepis - Burrowing frog Sphaerotheca breviceps - Water snake E. sieboldi - Indus bullfrog H. tigerinus - Monitor lizard Varanus bitatawa - Jerdon`s bullfrog Hoplobatrachus crassus - Monitor lizard V. mabitang - S.Lankan bullfrog Kaloula taprobanica - Monitor lizard V. olivaceus Mammals species - Monitor lizard Python molurus Shushuk Gangetic dolphin Platanista gangeticus - Monitor lizard Geochlemys Shiyal Bengal fox Vulpes benghalensis hamiltoni - Monitor lizard V. flavescens - Coated otter Lutra perspicillata - Monitor lizard Asperderetes hurum - Indian pangolin Manis crassicauda - Monitor lizard Kachuga tecta - Common otter Lutra lutra - Monitor lizard Lissemys punctata - Small indian civet Viverra indica 90

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Amphibians species Ban biral Jungle cat Felis chaus - Indus valley Shiyal Fox Canis aureus D. stomaticus toad - Indian toad D. melanostictus - Mongooses Herpestes spp. - Crowned toad Xenophrys parva - Squirrel Ratufa bicolor - Smith's litter Idur Leptobrachium smithi Rat Bandicota bengalensis frog - Berdmore's frog Microhyla berdmorei - House shrew Crocidura fuliginosa - Ornamented Badur Microhyla ornata Bat Cynopterus sphinx frog - White snout frog Ramanella variegata - Sunda pangolin Manis javanica - Asian painted Mecho biral Kaloula pulchra Fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus frog

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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