Hakaluki Haor is the largest haor in Bangladesh and one of the largest freshwater wetlands in Asia. It is spread over 18,115 hectares in area, of which the bill is only 4,400 hectares. It is spread across Mouluvibazar district Baralekha (40%), Kulaura (30%), and Sylhet district Fenchuganj (15%), Golapganj (10%) and Biyanibazar (5%). Geographically it lies under the Meghalaya Hills of India to the north and the Tripura Hills to the east. This hoor contains 80-90 small, large and medium bills.
There are various legends about the naming of Hakaluki Haor. It is said that many years ago, fearing the army of Maharaja Omar Manikya of Tripura, the Kuki leader of Baralekha, Hangar Singh, 'hid' in a vast forested and muddy area. In view of this incident, the name of that area is 'Shark Look or Hakaluki'. It is also said that about two thousand years ago, in a huge earthquake, a king called 'Aka' and his kingdom sank underground. Over time, this subsiding lowland came to be known as 'Akaluki or Hakaluki'. It is also heard that once a tribe called Henkel lived in the western part of Baralekha upazila. The name of Henkel's living area was 'Hengkeluki'. Later this Henkeluki got the name 'Hakaluki'. According to another legend, the Kuki and Naga tribes who once lived near Hakaluki Haor named this haor 'Hakaluki' in their language. Hakaluki means hidden wealth.
Bills are getting smaller due to siltation in Haor area during monsoon. After the monsoon water recedes, paddy is cultivated in some places. Thousands of cattle roam the billows after harvest. Bathan system developed in Haor area long ago due to this grazing land. For a few months of the year, especially during the dry season, one class of people living in the Haor area look after the cows and buffaloes of others. They earn their livelihood by selling the milk they receive in exchange. At the end of the specified period, the cow-buffalo is sent back to the owner. Traditionally Hakaluki region is famous for milk and curd.
Hakaluki Haor is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in Bangladesh. Bounded by Bhatera hills in the west and Patharia Madhav hills in the east, Hakaluki Haor is spread over 5 upazilas of Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts. Hakaluki Haoor consists of more than 238 big and small bils and 10 small and big rivers and becomes about 20,000 hectares area during the rainy season.
During the rainy season, the vast body of water in this Haor is like a floating sea. Adigantu is a vast body of water. At times of water two-one perennial Hijal, Tamal tree. But in the winter, this haor is a vast expanse of green hills, paddy fields and ditches in the lowlands of about 238 bills. Hakaluki is famous for hawthorn fish. Hakaluki Haor is a protected wetland of Bangladesh. About 25 species of ducks and waterfowl migrate from Siberia in the northern part of Asia during the winter season. Besides, about 100 species of local birds can be seen here throughout the year. These pastures and billows of humming wilderness provide the adventure-loving tourist with the thrill of human life and the chirping of migratory birds. Migratory ducks in Hakaluki Haore include stilts, kingfishers, crested swans, dhalabelle ducks, gadwalls, Eurasian scythes, tiki swans, mergansers, etc. Native species include Purple Kalem, Panmursi, Patikut, Dahuk, Eurasian chicken chaga, Lanza chaga, Rangachaga, Jalapipi, Peacock pipi, Pati jiria, Hattiti, Bhubanchil, Conch-chil, Extinct Ax Eagle, Great-crested Diver, Lesser Pankauri, Khaira Buck, Gray Buck, snail shell etc. birds are one of them. Many species of fish are found in Hakaluki Haore. Fishes like Chital, Ai, Baush, Pabda, Magur, Shing, Koi etc. are found here. Among the aquatic plants, almost extinct in the Makna Haor region, Puti, Hingajur, Hawa etc. exist in considerable numbers in the bill. Besides, aquatic plants like Shapla, Shaluk, Padma etc. are here in Ashabyanjakahar.
Hakaluki Hawar is a protected wetland of Bangladesh, Hakaluki is one of the mother fisheries of the country. In winter, there are several species of ducks, including White-tailed Duck, Sarali, Patisrali, Raj Sarali, Swan, Phuluri Duck, Piang Duck, Balihans, Dhala Balihans, Rusty-coloured Ghost Duck, Sandigans, Pati Tila Duck, Blue-headed Duck, Uttare Lenja Duck, Giriya Duck, Uttare Khunti Duck. Species of ducks and year-round teal, Water Pipit, Peacock Pip, Bhuvan Chil, Conch Chil, Pankauri, Gray Buck, Leaf Plover, New Pipi, Metematha Titi, Khaira Kaste Chara, Tila Lalasa, Snail, Snake Bird, Gewala Batan, Reed Tail Jourali, Bill Batan, Green Buck, Red Buck, Gray Buck, Dhupani Buck, Pankauri, Pati Chaga, Bhuban Chil, Finge, White Buck, Ranga Buck, Kani Buck, Deota, Kalamatha Kastechra, Endangered Ax Eagle, Palasi's Eagle, Eagle, Guti Eagle , various species of terrestrial aquatic and amphibian birds including fish eagle. Aquatic plants include the extinct makna punti, hingajur, hawa. Besides, there is Shapla Shalukto.
This world's largest reservoir can fulfill the travel itinerary of adventurous people. The floating life of the fishermen on the boat can be seen floating on the chest of the river. If you want, you can buy haor fish and eat it in these boats. If told to the sailors, they would cook hot rice on the deck of the boat. Many people flock here to taste the fresh fish of Haor while floating on the water of Haor. Hakaluki Haor is crowded with tourists during special holidays. Many rush before dusk to watch the tired sun sink into the waters of Haor. The spectacular sight of the twilight sun setting over the vast Haor waters will transport anyone to another world.
The haor is an important source of different fish in Bangladesh.Fishes like Kalibaus, Boal, Rui, Ghagot, Pabda and Chapila are found here. Beels in the haor provide shelter for many mother fishes in the winter season. Now due to sand deposits, dewatering technique for fishing and lack of aquatic plants, many of those beels have lost their capacity to provide such shelter. The haor is a very important resting place for migratory birds. Unfortunately, illegal poaching has been a threat to the bird population. Hakaluki Haor is good grazing land for cattle in the winter in those areas. The haor system provides economic and non-economic benefits to the people. These benefits include fish and rice production, duck, cattle and buffalo rearing, collection of reeds, grasses, aquatic and other plants. Its unique system adds to the beauty of the landscape both during the monsoon and other seasons. Its beauty and economic importance can attract a large number of tourists.
