Rajshahi: Experts unequivocally called for protecting existing rivers and canals as a crucial means of ensuring year-round irrigation water coupled with reducing the gradually increasing pressure on groundwater resources. Simultaneously, implementing strategies for artificial groundwater recharge and managed aquifer recharge can help to replenish and maintain the declining groundwater levels.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof Mijanur Rahman of the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Rajshahi University (RU) emphasized the importance of encouraging farmers to cultivate less water-intensive indigenous crops like wheat, maize, lentils, sesame, and chickpea instead of water-heavy Boro paddy. He noted that the drought caused by climate change poses a severe threat to agriculture and sustainable water management in Barind, adversely impacting the living and livelihood conditions of marginalized populations.
In its 18th executive committee meeting on August 25, the National Water Resource Council declared 215 Unions under Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon Districts as the highest water crisis areas, with 1,503 villages facing extreme water crises. Experts are advocating for efficient irrigation techniques and conjunctive water use, which combines surface water and groundwater for better water management.
Prof Rahman outlined the "double lifting" initiative, which involves transporting water from the Padma River over long distances and pumping it to higher elevations to serve the Barind Tract, providing an alternative to groundwater. He also stressed the importance of rainwater harvesting and community awareness programs on water conservation methods.
Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan of the Department of Geology and Mining at RU noted that the Barind region is among the worst-hit by droughts, with a steady increase in consecutive dry days and temperature over the past 30 years. He warned that this trend is likely to worsen, posing severe challenges for vulnerable communities. Droughts lead to the evaporation of natural surface water sources, leaving no water for drinking, sanitation, or agriculture, resulting in higher disease incidence, malnutrition, increased poverty, and stunted development.
The Barind's average annual rainfall of 1,400 mm is significantly below the national average of 2,300 mm. Clay soils with low porosity hinder rainwater seepage into aquifers, leading to high evaporation. During droughts, traditional hand-pumped tube wells become ineffective as the aquifers dry up.
Prof Niamul Bari of the Department of Civil Engineering at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology identified critical aquifer depletion in high Barind lands due to natural and manmade reasons. He highlighted the decreasing groundwater levels in Godagari and Tanore upazilas in Rajshahi, with some areas reaching near the aquifer, indicating severe pressure.
To address these challenges, experts stress the urgent need for a complete water management system in the Barind region and increased use of surface water to reduce reliance on groundwater. A geospatial approach for developing an integrated water resource management plan in Rajshahi is also recommended.