By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS) - Re-excavation of the historic Roktodoh Beel in Naogaon is expected to generate additional agricultural production worth about Tk 170 crore annually by enabling farmers to cultivate at least two crops a year instead of one, officials and local farmers said.

Roktodoh Beel, located between Raninagar upazila of Naogaon and Adamdighi upazila of Bogura, covers around 220 hectares and is connected to 22 inlet canals stretching about 185 kilometers, while its outlet canal extends nearly 22 kilometers.

Due to long-standing waterlogging, only one crop is currently cultivated each year on about 4,500 hectares of surrounding farmland. As a result, nearly 35,000 people from about 7,000 farming families in 23 villages suffer recurring financial losses.

Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension and the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) mentioned that re-excavation of the beel and its canals would help remove waterlogging and allow farmers to cultivate both IRRI-Boro and transplanted Aman rice annually.

Full production of these two crops could generate additional agricultural output worth around Tk 170 crore each year, they added.

Local residents said the beel has historically supported livelihoods in the region, but lack of excavation and maintenance over the years has reduced crop production and diminished the availability of indigenous fish species.

Farmers Alauddin Fakir, Mostak Hossain and Joyed Fakir of Simba village, along with Abdul Hossain of Khagra village told BSS that they own land in the beel area but suffer losses every year due to prolonged waterlogging.

They said excavation of the beel would enable them to cultivate at least two crops annually while also increasing fish production, which would improve the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen in nearby villages.

Executive Engineer of BMDA in Naogaon Rezaul Islam informed BSS if Roktodoh Beel and its surrounding canals are re-excavated, at least 54,000 metric tons of additional crops could be produced annually at a rate of about 12 metric tons per hectare, with an estimated market value of around Tk 170 crore.

He also said the excavated soil could be used to construct a 10-foot-wide road along the beel and canal banks. Protective measures such as retaining walls, concrete blocks and palisading could also be built to prevent erosion and improve communication in remote areas.

In addition, planting fruit-bearing, forest and medicinal trees along rural roads and canal banks would help create a safe habitat for birds while enhancing the natural environment.

Raninagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rakibul Hasan told BSS that the upazila administration has already developed the Roktodoh Beel Tourism Area and Bird Village along with a fish sanctuary on Ratondara Khal, the outlet canal of the beel.

He said various initiatives are being implemented with support from the district administration to further develop the tourism facilities, most of which are now nearing completion.

Officials also said the preserved surface water in the beel could be used for irrigation, reducing dependence on groundwater and helping recharge groundwater levels.

A project proposal for the re-excavation of Roktodoh Beel has already been sent to the higher authorities for approval to ensure proper and sustainable utilization of the natural resource.