Innumerous Lotus flowers are seen to bloom at Katal Beel under Tarash upazila under Sirajganj district after nearly thirty-year. During the last year, several lotus flowers were seen to bloom at Dobila Beel under Magura Binode union of the same upazila. Local people, however, were reqesting the visitors at the Chalanbeel not to pluck the lotus from the Katal Beel.
Professor Dr Sabrina Naz, Director of the Institute of Environmental Science of Rajshahi University informed, Professor Dr M Jamal conducted a research on Chalan Beel from 1985 to 1987 and he then noticed lotus in various Beels of Tarash upazila. Afterwards, Lotus was no longer found by the researchers in Chalan Beel.
On Thursday last, an enchanting beautiful, innumerous round-shaped lotus leaves with blooming flowers and fruits were seen at the Katal Beel of Sakua dighi village.
Local Journalist and resident of Sakua Dighi village Abdus Salam informed, this is for the first time the Lotus plants with blooming flowers are being seen in the Katal Beel. People of this and the surrounding villages are very pleased with the lotus and its beautiful flowers. People are being aware through the microphones of the local mosques of not plucking or destroying the lotus.
Abdur Razzak Raju, Convener of Chalan Beel Raskha Andolon Committee informed, the biodiversity of Chalan Beel is being threatened due to various reasons.
The water in the Chalan Beel has been decreased and most areas of the beel have now turned to cultivable land that is why there is no room for the growth and breeding of aquatic plants like Lotus and water lily in those beel areas.
However, the Lotus of the Katla Beel under Tarash upazila is kindling hope for the people of the region to resume the growth of the plant afresh.