Re-excavation of water bodies in barind tract demanded

RAJSHAHI, Mar 22 (BSS): A cycle-rally was brought out at Tanore Upazila Monday demanding immediate step for re-excavation and conservation of the derelict ponds and canals in the vast barind tract for enriching the surface water resources. In a pre-rally discussion meeting at Tanore Upazila headquarters, the speakers said that enriching the surface water through re-excavating the derelict khas ponds and canals across the area could be the effective means of overcoming the existing water crisis. They viewed that a large number of surface water bodies have become derelict while the existing ones are being used for commercial purposes by the landlords forcing the poor and marginal people out of using those. Besides, they said importance should be given to renovating and preserving the derelict ponds and canals through re-excavation to ensure sustainable livelihood of the poor farmers. In this context, they viewed that excessive use of groundwater through irrigation depletes groundwater table, which makes the hand-driven tube-wells inoperative and the area experiences a drinking water shortage. The Agriculture Sustainable and Socio-Economic Development Organisation (ASSEDO) under its "Potentials of khas ponds and canals in Barind area: Sustainable rural livelihood in the face of climate change" programme organised the rally. Oxfam-GB under supported the rally under its Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL) programme. In his address of welcome, ASSEDO Executive Director Rabiul Alam said the farmers should adapt with the climate change and escape from drought in particular. Water shortage is gradually becoming grave in the drought-prone Barind area due to scanty rainfall and excessive extraction of groundwater for irrigation and as a result of adverse impact of the climate change caused by the global warming. Simultaneously, the unprecedented fall of water level in the Padma and its tributaries and other wetlands has created an adverse impact on livelihood of people especially the farmers and other marginal groups, he stated. "We have no alternative but to save the mighty Padma from the continuous siltation to conserve the vast tract of the Barind area from desertification," said Rabiul Alam, adding, "Adequate fund allocation is needed for the work". Tanore Upazila Chairman Emran Ali Mollah addressed the program as the chief guest while Vice-chairman Bandana Rani, Upazila Agriculture Officer Jafar Iqbal and Fisheries Officer Khaliduzzaman spoke as special guests. The speakers revealed that there are 693 ponds and twelve canals in seven unions of the Upazila but most of those have become derelict due to lack of proper maintenance and called for re-excavating those as early as possible. Because of the adverse impacts of climate change, they said extreme droughts, abnormal lowering of groundwater, pest attacks in the crop fields and many other natural calamities have been causing huge damages in the area too. About 1,000 drought-victim people comprising farmers, fishermen, and landless male and female farmers including aboriginals from the surrounding villages attended the gathering.