Rangpur: A number of areas within the greater Rangpur region have been transformed into vibrant green spaces, enhancing the environment and reviving ecosystems due to the strategic re-excavation of extinct rivers, canals, beels, and ponds.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture has spearheaded this transformation through the ‘Expansion of Irrigation in Greater Rangpur District Through Best Uses of Surface Water and Conservation of Rainwater (EIR)’ project. Running from 2019 to 2025, the project has been executed at a cost of Taka 288.11 crore across 35 upazilas in the Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Gaibandha districts.
Farmers, villagers, and housewives have reported significant positive impacts as a result of the project. The re-excavation efforts have not only improved the environment but also revived the lost ecosystems, bringing fresh biodiversity to the area after decades. Farmers like Mohammad Ali and Kaikobad Hossain from Baro Badnapara village in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur are now able to cultivate three crops annually, thanks to the clearing of farmlands from water-logging due to re-excavation and tree plantation efforts on the banks of the Chatra canal.
Similarly, in Mithapukur upazila, farmer Badsha Miah has been able to free his land from water-logging and cultivate crops more efficiently following the re-excavation of the Shalmara canal. The improved environment has facilitated better agricultural yields and biodiversity. In addition, housewife Nur Salma of Betgara village has benefited from the re-excavation of the Shosthichhara Beel and the ensuing environmental improvements.
The revitalization effort has also positively impacted livelihoods in Badarganj upazila, as residents like Hosne Ara Begum, Zilapi Bala, and Shefali Khatun have turned to duck rearing, banana, and vegetable farming following the re-excavation of local water bodies. The restored river Ghirnoi and adjacent forestation have become a blessing for the community, fostering biodiversity and a healthier ecosystem.
The extensive re-excavation initiative has also led to the creation of aesthetic landscapes, such as the restored 11.59-acre Bharardaho Beel in Badarganj upazila. The plantation of various species on its banks has attracted a multitude of birds, turning the area into a sanctuary for avian life and a scenic spot for visitors.
EIR Project Director and Superintending Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle, Md Habibur Rahman Khan, highlighted the project’s success in promoting agriculture, afforestation, and the revival of lost ecosystems. The initiative has not only supported sustainable agricultural practices but also provided sanctuaries for local and migratory birds, insects, animals, and other living creatures.