Flooding is a natural occurrence in Bangladesh with devastating effects on significant areas, including Sylhet. This study aimed to summarize the flood susceptibility of different areas of Sylhet Sadar. This study is based on an approach that relies on free and open datasets rather than data obtained on the ground. NASA Earth Data was utilized to acquire satellite images of the study area (DEM at 30m resolution). The Surma River shapefile was obtained from humandata.org or HDX. Six individual maps were created, i.e., land cover, flow direction, precipitation, elevation, slope, and Topographic Wetness Index and each of the maps was then reclassified. Then the six reclassified maps were overlaid, summarized, and our final output came out as the Flood Susceptible Map of Sylhet Sadar. ArcGIS 10.8 version was used to create a flood-prone area, which was divided into five zones (very high, high, moderate, low, and very low). From this final flood susceptible map, we can identify the vulnerable zones or the flood-prone areas of the Sylhet Sadar and can take precautions or actions during the flood season. The study area’s low-lying plains are particularly susceptible to flash floods. The result shows that Kazir Gaon, Kurir Gaon, and Umairgaon are in a very high flood susceptible zone. South Surma is in a highly susceptible area. Khadimnagar is the least susceptible zone. This research can aid in the development of appropriate flood management strategies and policies to minimize the risk of future flood-related damages and losses in the region.

Keywords: Flood Susceptibility, Sylhet Sadar, GIS, Satellite Image, Surma River, Vulnerable.

This study provides a comprehensive examination of the present state of resources and fisheries in Meghna River (Nouhata Jalmahal) while highlighting the potential for enhancing existing fisheries management strategies to prioritize the conservation of fish biodiversity. The study was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire and a direct catch assessment survey in the beel, as well as interviews with fishers, fish traders, locals, and the upazila fisheries officer. A total recorded 63 species of ichthyofauna were recorded in Nauhata Jalmahal, including 59 finfish, 1 puffer fish and 3 prawn species from 11 orders, 22 families. The Meghna River (Nouhata Jalmahal) exhibits a diverse fish population, with the orders Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, and Perciformes being the most prominent, contributing 36.51%, 22.23%, and 15.88%, respectively. The dominant family recorded was Cyprinidae (36.51%), followed by Bagridae (7.94%) and Channidae (4.76%). In terms of biodiversity indices, the Simpson dominance (C), Pielou’s evenness (J), Shannon-Weaver diversity (H), and Margalef’s richness (d) values were observed to be 0.91, 0.31, 2.98, and 9.45, respectively in December; 0.922, 0.43, 3.12, and 8.74 in January; and 0.897, 0.275, 2.87, and 8.56 in February. These findings indicate that the Meghna River (Nouhata Jalmahal) is a valuable open waterbody, potentially serving as a significant fishery and gene bank  resource. However, certain threats, both natural and anthropogenic activities, were identified during the experimental period. Therefore, it is essential to implement conservation measures to safeguard this precious resource.  Furthermore, the adoption of ecosystem-based fisheries management practices with the active participation of local communities is strongly recommended for ensuring the conservation of these water bodies.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Ichthyofauna, Nouhata Jalmahal, Conservation

This research evaluated fish species diversity and hydrological parameters in northwest Bangladesh’s Roktodaho beel between Bogura and Naogaon from July 2020 to June 2021. Firsthand assessment surveys, focus group discussions, and questionnaire-based in-person interviews gathered four monitoring stations’ monthly data. 33 fish species from six taxonomic orders and 17 families were detected in the beel. 66.67% were least concerned, 15.15% were vulnerable, 6.06% were endangered, and 3.03% were extremely endangered. The reported fish orders were Cypriniformes (30.31%), Siluriformes (24.24%), Anabantiformes (21.21%), Synbranchiformes (12.12%), Ovalentaria (9.09%), and Gobiiformes (3.03%). The IUCN Bangladesh 2015 report found 11 fish species, including 1 extremely endangered, 2 endangered, and 3 vulnerable. Ompok pabda, Botia dario, and Mastacembelus armatus lived in the study area. Temperature, water depth, pH, dissolved oxygen, and total alkalinity were assessed. All hydrological indicators were within fish-cultivation ranges. Nine phytoplankton genera and three zooplankton genera were discovered, with Chlorophyceae and Crustacea dominating, respectively. Waterweeds numbered nine. Risks in the study area included uncontrolled overfishing, environmental deterioration, dewatering streams, katha fishing, outdated fishing equipment, and more. Reducing human impacts, adopting fishing rules, creating and maintaining fish sanctuaries, and raising awareness may conserve fisheries assets.

Keywords: Roktodaho Beel, endangered, Cypriniformes, hydrological parameters.

This study  aimed to examine the level of fish species diversity in the Boro Haor located at Amtali village within the Bishwanath (sub-district) of Sylhet district, Bangladesh. A total of 53 species were distributed among 23 families and 10 orders. Among these, the order Cypriniformes stood out as the most dominant, accounting for 34% of the recorded species, followed by Perciformes at 24%, Siluriformes at 22%, Synbranchiformes at 6%, and Tetraodontiformes at 2%. The dominant family observed in the study area was Cyprinidae, comprising 34% of the recorded species, followed by Channidae at 8%, and both Bagridae and Siluridae at 6%. According to a report by IUCN Bangladesh (2015), an extensive evaluation indicated that 19 fish species were categorized as being at risk. Two of these species were classified as critically endangered, seven as endangered, and ten as vulnerable. The primary threats to the diversity of fish were identified as indiscriminate overfishing, with fishing practices that involved the depletion of wetlands being the subsequent concern, the adoption of the katha fishing technique, and the use of outdated fishing equipment. To ensure the effective conservation of existing fisheries resources,  minimizing human-induced impacts, implementing fishing regulations, establishing and managing fish sanctuaries, and enhancing public awareness is of utmost importance.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Boro Haor, Conservation

Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation is a technique to lowering seepage and percolation during the crop-growing season for enhanced water productivity at the field level. The method is becoming popular among farmers as water is becoming crucial input for crop production in Bangladesh. The objectives of the study were to determine the factors that influenced adoption decision regarding the AWD method and its extent of adoption by the farmers in Boro rice production. Four issues of practicing the AWD method namely (i) area coverage, (ii) the number of perforated Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes installed in the crop field for monitoring the water content status in the soil, (iii) the number of the visit paid by the farmers to check the water content status in between each irrigation, and (iv) days of last irrigation before harvesting Boro rice were taken into consideration to measure adoption of AWD method. Following the systematic random sampling method, a total of 53 selected farmers were interviewed using a pretested well-structured interview schedule during June to July 2020. The adoption decision regarding the AWD method was influenced by four socio-psychological characteristics namely education, knowledge, media contact, and attitude of the farmers. The average coverage of the AWD method was 47.23%, where the use of perforated PVC pipe was 46.46%, the visit paid by the farmers was 50.47%, and the recommended last irrigation before harvesting was adopted by 62.03% of the respondents. However, more than half (52.8%) of farmers had medium use of AWD, while 24.5% and 22.6% had low and high adoption, respectively.

Keywords: AWD method, adoption, Boro rice and farmer

An experiment was conducted from 5 August to 13 December 2020 to assess the performance of eight Aman rice cultivars under the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method at farmers’ fields in flash flood-prone areas of Hathkhola Sylhet. BRRI dhan32, BRRI dhan51, Meghraj, Moinasail, Maloti, Jori, Badal, and Binni rice cultivars were studied in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. After 15-days flash flood, the rice cultivars Meghraj, Moinasail, and BRRI dhan32 and dhan51 survived, but others were damaged. Data were collected only from survived varieties. Agronomic characteristics differed in different rice cultivars. The results showed that the modern variety BRRI dhan51 produced the shortest plant height (70.30 cm), whereas the native cultivar Moinasail produced the tallest plants height (124.60 cm). BRRI dhan51 produced the highest number of effective tillers m^-2 (337.25) while Meghraj produced the least effective tillers m^-2 (170.50). Number of filled grains panicle^-1 was highest (134.60) in BRRI dhan51 and cultivar Moinasail produced the lowest number of grains panicle^-1 (55.55). The highest weight of 1000 grains (20.44 g) and yield of grains (5.34 t ha^-1) were recorded from BRRI dhan51 which was similar to BRRI dhan32 (5.14t ha^-1). Meghraj had the lowest grain yield (3.03 t ha^-1) which was at par with Moinasail. Results indicated that submerged tolerant var. BRRI dhan51 and the other three varieties (BRRI dhan32, Meghraj, and Moinasail) could be used in Aman rice seasons in flash flood-prone areas.

Keywords: Direct seeded Rice (DSR); Aman Rice Varieties; Flood-prone areas; Flash flood

Panama disease is a major threat to banana production worldwide, including Bangladesh. A survey was conducted during 2020 in the Narsingdi district, one of the main banana-growing areas in Bangladesh, to evaluate the incidence and severity of Panama disease and identify suitable management practices. The survey covered 72 banana gardens in six Upazilas and found that the disease was prevalent in all surveyed areas, with varying incidence and severity levels. The highest incidence and severity were recorded in Monohordi, while the lowest incidence was found in Sadar Upazila, and the lowest severity was in Belabo Upazila. The pathogen was identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) through morphological and molecular analyses. The study suggests that the use of bio-fungicides, pit and sucker treatment, and crop rotation can be effective management strategies for Panama disease, but most farmers do not practice them. Therefore, there is a need to increase the adoption of these practices in areas with high disease incidence and severity to control the spread of the disease and protect banana production.

Keywords: Fusarium oxysporum, panama disease, disease incidence, disease severity.