Protecting groundwater resources in high Barind tract stressed
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
RAJSHAHI, Jun 11 (BSS): Protecting groundwater resources in the region and the high Barind tract in particular has become indispensable for making its agricultural system protected and sustainable to feed the country's people, speakers at a daylong workshop said here Monday.
They also called for exploring the groundwater potential below 80 meter to bring more area under irrigation for its sustainable use as agriculture plays a vital role in the socio- economic development and water resources lies at its central point.
Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) and Institute of Water Modeling (IWM) jointly organized the workshop on draft final report titled "Groundwater Resources Study for Barind Integrated Area Development Project (Phase-III) at BMDA Conference hall.
BMDA Chairman Advocate Nurul Islam Thandu addressed the workshop as the chief guest while IWM Executive Director Dr Monowar Hossain and Joint Chief of Planning Commission Zobia-Ullah spoke as special guests with BMDA Executive Director Enamul Hoque in the chair.
Chief guest Nurul Islam Thandu said the region scored significant progress in the crop production sector following the expansion of irrigation facilities along with supplying water from the re-excavated canals and ponds.
Even in around 20 years back, only a single crop could be produced in the areas depending on the rainfall. But, at present, at least three crops are being harvested by dint of the expanded irrigation facilities.
In his keynote presentation, IWM Deputy Executive Director Dr Afzal Hossainin said the study suggested crop diversification in the high barind area in order to reduce the pressure on groundwater abstraction.
He said improved irrigation method like Alternate Wet and Dry method should be introduced widely in order to reduce the irrigation demand.
They also called for exploring the groundwater potential below 80 meter to bring more area under irrigation for its sustainable use as agriculture plays a vital role in the socio- economic development and water resources lies at its central point.
Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) and Institute of Water Modeling (IWM) jointly organized the workshop on draft final report titled "Groundwater Resources Study for Barind Integrated Area Development Project (Phase-III) at BMDA Conference hall.
BMDA Chairman Advocate Nurul Islam Thandu addressed the workshop as the chief guest while IWM Executive Director Dr Monowar Hossain and Joint Chief of Planning Commission Zobia-Ullah spoke as special guests with BMDA Executive Director Enamul Hoque in the chair.
Chief guest Nurul Islam Thandu said the region scored significant progress in the crop production sector following the expansion of irrigation facilities along with supplying water from the re-excavated canals and ponds.
Even in around 20 years back, only a single crop could be produced in the areas depending on the rainfall. But, at present, at least three crops are being harvested by dint of the expanded irrigation facilities.
In his keynote presentation, IWM Deputy Executive Director Dr Afzal Hossainin said the study suggested crop diversification in the high barind area in order to reduce the pressure on groundwater abstraction.
He said improved irrigation method like Alternate Wet and Dry method should be introduced widely in order to reduce the irrigation demand.