Revival of ecosystems improving environment in Rangpur

Re-excavation of extinct rivers, canals, beels and ponds is reviving the lost ecosystems, improving the environment and creating attractive natural beauty in greater Rangpur district.

Aadequately stored rainwater in these re-excavated reservoirs is contributing to reloading groundwater tables and conserving surface water and its optimal utilization in agriculture and household activities.

All these have become possible following implementation of the government’s five-year term (2019-2024) ‘Expansion of irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and conservation of rainwater project (EIRP)’.

Rural people are reaping multidimensional benefits from the project through promoting agriculture, pisciculture, tree plantation, farming vegetables, banana and grass to feed cattle heads and rearing ducks to improve livelihoods.

The whole watery areas of re-excavated beels and ponds are now full of the chirping of various guest birds and huge varieties of lost rare species of trees on the banks creating sight beholding scenes.

Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing the project spending Tk 250.56 crore in 35 upazilas of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha districts in greater Rangpur.

Project Director of the EIRP and Superintending Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle Engineer Habibur Rahman Khan said thousands of people have started enjoying enormous benefits from implementation of the project.

The project is being implemented to promote agriculture making best uses of conserved surface water, forestation and improve environment and biodiversity and revive sanctuaries for local and migratory birds.

“Under the project, re-excavation of extinct rivers, canals, beels and ponds, installation of low lift pumps (LLPs), solar power-run dug-wells and construction of foot-over bridges and cross dams and tree plantation are being implemented,” said Engineer Khan.

Re-excavation of these water bodies increases water holding capacity, facilitates drainage of rain and floodwater and waterlogged lands become suitable for agriculture and stored water is being used for agricultural, household and other activities.

Farmers are providing supplementary irrigation to croplands using conserved surface water in re-excavated water bodies reducing dependence on groundwater and producing more crops at lower cost to earn extra profits.

The project has a target of re-excavating 230-km of canals, 11 beels, 118 ponds, installation of 30 solar power-run LLPs, 100 electricity-run LLPs, 50 solar power-run dug-wells and plantation of 2.30 lakh saplings of wood, fruit and medicinal plants.

Implementation of the project will ensure irrigation to 10,250 hectares of land using stored surface water and free 350 hectares of land from water-logging enabling farmers to produce an additional 83,400 tonnes of crops worth Taka 166.80 crore annually.