A partial view of the Alai River that has turned into a cropland in Gaibandha Sadar Upazila — FE Photo GAIBANDHA, Apr 06: Gaibandha is a riverine district in the northern region of the country. The Tista, Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Karatoa, Ghaghat, Alai and several other rivers flow through this district.
These rivers were once full of beauty in the flow of water. But, every year during the monsoon in the Alai river, that beauty is about to be lost.
Due to the lack of navigation and water, the riverbed has now turned into a cropland.
The Alai, which flows through Gaibandha Sadar Upazila, is being filled with silt, so its water flow has decreased.
According to the Gaibandha Water Development Board (PUBO), the 40-km Alai river starts from Pulbandi in Sadar upazila and reaches Bhutmara boundary of Saghata Upazila through Badiyakhali Union of the same upazila.
But, even though 53 years have passed since the independence of Bangladesh, due to the lack of river management, the river has lost its life and is on the verge of being erased from the map.
Locals complain that the Alai river is now only a river in name as there is no government action to protect the river.
The river is filled with silt coming down from the upstream in every monsoon.
Because of this, the river has lost its familiar shape due to the blockage of the water flow. Due to this, the farmers living along the river banks have taken advantage of the navigability crisis during the dry season.
They have continuously tried to produce different types of crops, including paddy.
On the surface, a scene of paddy and other crops was seen on the bank of the Alai in Rifaitpur area of Sadar upazila. Local farmers have planted IRRI-Boro rice seedlings on the riverbanks.
Abdul Monnaf, a farmer who cultivates rice on the Alai riverbanks in Rifaitpur area, says, "Since there is no water in the river, I have been cultivating on this riverbed for 8-10 years."
"If the river is dug, the nearby roads, mosques and houses in the area will get benefits."
Noor Alam, a member of Ward No. 5 under Badiyakhali Union, says there is no water in the Alai river due to the navigability crisis, so local people cultivate crops there.
He has strongly demanded that the authorities concerned dig up the river to restore its navigability.
Golam Rahman Sumon, a prominent businessman in the old Badiyakhali market of Gaibandha Sadar Upazila, said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had an agreement with India for 36 years. That deal is over. Till date, no government has been able to make a water treaty. He also insisted on digging the river.
Jahangir Kabir Tanu, convener of the Gaibandha Social Struggle Parishad, says if the Alai river management policy is not implemented, the river may lose its life and be erased from the map. Therefore, excavation and restoration of the river has been necessary to protect its existence.
Gaibandha Water Development Board (PUBO) Executive Engineer Hafizul Haque has said that initiatives have been taken to dig the Alai river. To this effect, a proposal will be sent to the higher authorities.
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