Biodiversity at risk as 122 rivers, canals run dry in Netrakona

A total of 122 rivers and canals in Netrakona are losing their navigability due to not being re-excavated, and becoming a threat to the biodiversity in the region.

Sources said sand and siltation that washed away by the current from the northern mountain slopes accumulate in the bottom of the rivers, making them lose navigability.

Transportation of agricultural goods and other products is being hampered due to this. Many species of fish are also on the verge of extinction as the rivers run dry during winter.

Once upon a time, the district’s trade was carried on throughout the year via rivers and canals. However, their recent condition is hampering trade and business in the region. Irrigation work is also being disrupted due to the inability to retain the water of the rivers.

According to Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Netrakona sources, there are 122 rivers and canals including seven big rivers in the district. The total length of the seven large rivers flowing through the district is 334 kilometres and the length of 115 small rivers is 5125.6 kilometres.

Since these rivers and rivers have not been dug for a long time and over time, the sand and silt that came down with the stream, most of the rivers have become narrow.

Among the 122 rivers in the district, the seven major rivers are Kangsha, Mogra, Someshwari, Uddakhali, Dhonu, Bhogai, and Gumai. The smaller rivers are moribund and have turned into narrow channels.

There are a total of nine rivers and canals flowing through Durgapur upazila. These are Nalia Aga, Chukai Khali, Baloch, Jhenaigati, Arbakhali, Nahitkhali, Sattar Munsi, Baneswari and Pagria.

There are 14 rivers and canals in Kalmakanda upazila. These are Jangar, Gutura, Siddhokhola, Arindakhali, Gobindpur, Boroyund, Golamkhali, Mandaura, Mohadeo, Bain Beel, Shyampur, Gumai River, Dilura and Bhogai.

There are 18 rivers and canals in Netrakona Sadar. These are Harikhali, Napitkhali, Dupingkhali, Mogra River, Khoshai, Jhitai, Rezkhali, Guriyar, Nagua, Thakurkona, Chuchia, Dholai, Dorijagi, Sidhli, Jahangirpur, Baloch, Morakhali and Tilokkhali.

There are 16 rivers and canals in Kendua upazila. These are Raji, Saiduli, Pateshwari, Huchia, Turukpara, Dumri, Rajpat, Wai, Charpur, Sandikona, Kalatril, Kurdigha, Suti, Kachandra, Balki and Samukjani.

There are 26 rivers and canals in Barhatta upazila. These are Mora Kangsha, Mora Bishnai, Boro Dhola, Ghaliamari, Nania Chatgaon, Noya Beel, Piayin, Dottokhila, Ghabarkanda, Baroi, Amtola, Chaparkona, Dhaleswari, Baghair, Maheshkhali, Dhola, Gulamkhali, Rouha, Nandi Bari, Borapara, Tonga, Kandapar, Borikhal, Kamalpur, Shibbari and Balijuri.

There are 11 rivers and canals in Purbadhala upazila. These are Kalihar, Balia, Lawari, Falakhali, Khaskhasia, Barabarir, Dholai, Mora, Pachua, Boljana and Suair.

There are seven rivers and canals in Mohongonj upazila. These are Ghorautra, Mora Dholai, Beldaria, Dairer, Kalungka, Papmara and Nouka Bhanga.

There are seven rivers and canals in Khaliajuri Upazila. These are Biswahari Duliajan, Dulnirkhal, Sela, Putia, Nayori, Boyra and Boulai.

There are five rivers and canals in Madan upazila. They are Balui, Boyrahala, Nasirkhali, Patunia and Andaramanik. There are two canals in Atpara upazila - Paglakhali and Ponchokhali.

Ratan Pandit, a resident of Madan upazila, said that influential individuals and groups in different areas of the district have grabbed the lands by the riverbanks to cultivate crops.

“Due to the silence of the concerned authorities in this regard, the people are being deprived of the use of rivers. Everyone has the right to use natural resources,” he said.

Anwar Hossain, a resident of Atpara village, said, “It has become impossible to irrigate Boro crops with water from the rivers and the canals. During Boro season all of them dry up. We do not even have access to water for household chores.”

Another resident named Abdul Jabbar said that fishermen in the area used to make a living by catching fish from the river. He alleged that local influential people are preventing the rivers from being re-excavated.

“Many people are encroaching on the river under the guise of planting paddy and boosting production. Some are illegally extracting soil from the river for brick kilns. This is threatening the natural biodiversity in the area,” he added.

Netrakona BWDB Executive Engineer Md Sarwar Jahan said that 10 canals have been dug in FY 22 to retain irrigation water for agricultural purposes. In FY 23, five more canals are being dug at a budget of Tk 10 crores.

Deputy Commissioner Anjana Khan Majlish said if there are illegal landgrabbers they will be evicted.

“A list of all the rivers that need to be dredged will be prepared and sent to the Ministry of Water Resources to protect the navigability of the river and retain irrigation water throughout the year,” she added.