No more installation of DTW in high Barind area

RAJSHAHI, Feb 18 (BSS): Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), a state-owned organisation, has decided to check any more installation of deep tubewell (DTW) to control the lowering of underground water level.

The decision will be enforced in the vast barind tract comprising 25 upazilas of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts.

Engineer Abdur Rashid, Executive Director of BMDA, told BSS that the issue of indiscriminate use of underground water for irrigation has become a grave concern in the region. Recharge of underground water table might have been hampered due to lack of sufficient rainfall besides the adverse impact of climate change.

Instead of installing any more deep tubewells, step has been taken to use more surface water through re-excavation of the derelict pond and canals.

At present, BMDA is lifting water from the river Padma through 12 low lift pumps (LLP) to irrigate around 1,000 hectares of land in Sarmangla area under Godagari Upazila.

Similarly, the organization plans to install 275 more LLPs at different areas of the region for the best use of the river water in the irrigation purpose.

Besides, motivation among the farmers has started so that they cultivate many more less-irrigated crops like wheat, potato and maize instead of Irri-Boro. The farmers have started farming Rabi crops creating hopes of saving underground water in the dried area.

Shahidul Alam Tipu, Sub Assistant Agriculture Officer of Godagari Upazila, said such rabi crops need maximum three irrigations and less labour and fertilizer till harvesting. But the paddy cultivation requires maximum irrigation and labour and fertilizer.