Md. Naeem Hasan Emon, Rajapur (Jhalakathi)

Correspondent: - At one time, the canals were filled up. The normal flow of water was stopped. Crops were damaged due to waterlogging during the rainy season, and severe irrigation crisis occurred during the dry season. After overcoming that long-standing suffering, Rajapur Upazila of Jhalakathi is now walking on the path of new possibilities. The normal flow of water is returning as a result of the re-excavation of various canals.

This will bring positive changes in agriculture, fisheries, environment and rural economy, as well as directly benefiting more than 24,000 people. Due to long-term neglect, accumulation of dirt and garbage and silt, canals in various areas of the upazila were filled up. As a result, waterlogging used to occur during the rainy season and irrigation crisis occurred during the dry season. This disrupted agricultural production and caused extreme suffering to farmers and the common people. In this situation, five important canals of the upazila have been re-excavated under the government's 'Integrated Pond and Canal Development' (IPCP) and 'Climate and Disaster Resilient Water Resources Management' projects.

According to the Upazila Engineering Department, a sum of Tk 1.25 crore 82 lakh has been spent on re-excavating a 7-kilometer canal from Dhansiri River in Shuktaghar Union of the upazila to Kathakhali via Pingri. About 5,000 people will benefit from this.

The cost of re-excavating 800 meters of canal in North Tarabunia area of Saturia Union was 1.6 million taka. About 3,500 people will benefit from this. The cost of re-excavating 1,200 meters of Moricbunia canal in Rajapur Sadar Union was 1.4 million 13 thousand taka. About 12,500 people will benefit from this. The cost of re-excavating 2,900 meters of canal in Tulatli area was 3.4 million 40 thousand taka. About 2,500 people will benefit from this. In addition, the cost of re-excavating 1,200 meters of Raribari canal was 1.4 million 5 thousand taka. About 1,400 people will benefit from this. In total, more than 24,000 people are directly benefiting from these five projects.

The benefits of canal re-excavation are not limited to agriculture. As the water flow is normal, it has created a habitat for native fish. People who have been facing water shortages for a long time can now easily use water for daily needs. In addition, the rural communication system has also improved as the ease of movement on both sides of the canal has been created.

Local farmers Ripon Sikder, Quader Sikder, Karim said that earlier, there was extreme suffering in irrigating the land due to the lack of water in the canal. Now water will be easily available. They hope that this will increase the production of various crops including rice. Local residents Shikharani, Monika Roy, Shefali Begum said that due to the filling of the canal, water shortages for daily needs including cooking and bathing were a daily occurrence.

The re-excavation of the canal has largely eliminated that suffering. According to experts, when the normal flow of the canal returns, groundwater recharge increases, biodiversity is preserved, and habitat for native fish is created. At the same time, waterlogging decreases and agricultural production increases, which further strengthens the rural economy. However, locals claim that it is not enough to just re-excavate the canal; regular maintenance must be ensured. Otherwise, similar problems may arise in the future due to the filling of the canal again.

Rajapur Upazila Engineer Abhijit Majumder said that the canals have been dug as per the government rules. This will result in the development of the agricultural system, waterlogging, increase agricultural production and improve the quality of life of the people. He said that the re-excavation of Dhansiri-Pingri-Kathakhali, Uttar Tarabunia, Tulatli, Raribari and Moricbunia canals has been completed under the IPCP and the Climate and Disaster Resilience Project. The implementation of these projects will have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the people of the area.

The canal, which was once a symbol of suffering, is now becoming a symbol of hope for farmers and the common people after being re-excavated. According to those concerned, if regular maintenance is ensured, these canals of Rajapur will play an important role in agriculture, environment, fisheries and rural economy for a long time.