NILPHAMARI, Jan 1: Rivers of Nilphamari district dried up and almost have turned into farmland causing irrigation shortage during the dry season and flood in the rainy season either.
In both the sides of the rivers the nearby farmers are now cultivating Boro paddy in the ongoing Irri, Boro season. They are in a hurry in planting Irri Boro seedlings on the dried up riverbeds as late cultivation would culminate in late harvesting when the cropland may go under water in case of early rain that may cause damage to the crop.
The 11 rivers are now ecologically dead which flowed across six upazila of Domar, Dimla, Jaldhaka, Kishorgonj, Saidpur and Nilphamari sadar of the district.
The rivers are Teesta, Burri Teesta, Naotari, Kumlai, Deonai, Kolomdad, Burikhora, Charalkata, Khatamari, Dhaizan, Mora dhaizan, Chikli, Khorkhoria, Shalki, Jamuneshwari and others.
Except Teesta, the rest of the rivers have been filled with silt hampering irrigation facilities to the farmers which they used to enjoy in the past.
People of the district demanded dredging of the rivers so that they can use river water to irrigate their farmland and get abundant fish from the rivers.
While contacted Abdur Rahman a farmer of Itakhola union parishad of sadar upazila who reside near the Jamuneshwari river said he planted Boro saplings in two bighas of land in the riverbed and the plants are growing now.
While contacted Atikur Rahman, a resident of sadar upzila, who reside near the Kumlai river said they used to get abundant fish in the river round the year but as the river dried up they do not get the facility.
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