Waterlogging leaves 1,000 hectares uncultivated in Moulvibazar

SYLHET, Sept 20: Slow water recession from the Kawadighi Haor in Moulvibazar has left nearly 1,000 hectares of land uncultivated this Aman season, as the planting period draws to a close, farmers fear.

According to officials from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and local farmers, Kawadighi Haor-spanning 22,500 hectares across Rajnagar Upazila and Moulvibazar Sadar-is home to over 48 beels and is well-known for its abundant fishery resources and seasonal paddy cultivation.

The haor area was included in the Monu Project, a landmark agricultural initiative launched in 1975-76 with financial support from the Government of Bangladesh and Kuwait. A key feature of the project-the Kashimpur Pump House-was constructed in 1982-83 at a cost of Tk 1.00 billion. Equipped with eight pumps, the facility plays a crucial role in draining excess water from Boro fields into the Kushiara River during the harvest season.

In addition, the Monu Barrage supports irrigation in the elevated areas of Kawadighi through an intricate network of canals and sluice gates. However, over the years, natural changes and human interventions have significantly disrupted the area's hydrology.

Locals say that Kawadighi Haor extends across two unions in Moulvibazar Sadar and four in Rajnagar Upazila. The continuous filling of waterbodies and marshlands-coupled with encroachment and the silting of canals under the Monu Project-has drastically reduced water flow. As a result, many Boro fields remain uncultivated, while Aman paddy fields suffer from prolonged waterlogging.

Farmers from numerous villages-including Panchgaon, Amirpur, Rokta, Zahidpur, Fotehpur, Govindapur, Betaunja, Shahpur, Berkuri, Hadapur, and Antehori in Rajnagar, as well as Biraimabad, Raipur, Rasulpur, Banesri, Kandigaon, and Jagatpur in Sadar Upazila-continue to face major difficulties cultivating both Boro and Aman crops.

Alamgir Chowdhury, President of the Sadar Upazila unit of Haor Raksha Andolan and a resident of Raipur, said many farmers had already transplanted Aman saplings on the higher grounds of the haor. However, prolonged rainfall has inundated vast areas, leaving large portions of land uncultivated as the season comes to an end.

An official from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Moulvibazar confirmed that approximately 1,000 hectares in the upper parts of Kawadighi-typically planted with Aman paddy-are expected to remain uncultivated this year due to persistent waterlogging.

BWDB sources further noted that aside from the affected farmlands, Kawadighi's 48 beels-including Fatasinga, Majhrrbond, Shalkatua, and Hawa-continue to serve as vital fishery zones for the district.