Photo : BSS

By Md Mamun Islam
 
RANGPUR, March 29, 2026 (BSS) - The just implemented EIR project is 
effectively contributing to boosting crop yields along with revitalising 
ecosystems, conserving surface water and recharging groundwater levels in the 
greater Rangpur region.
 
Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has implemented the five-
year (2019-2025) term "Expansion of irrigation in greater Rangpur district 
through best uses of surface water and conservation of rainwater (EIR) 
project" at Taka 288-crore. 
 
The project has been implemented in 35 upazilas of Rangpur, Nilphamari, 
Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha in greater Rangpur district.

The project is aimed at conserving surface water, free vast land area from 
water-logging, providing irrigation and supplementary irrigation for 
increasing food production, forestation and reviving the ecosystems and 
improving environment.
 
Through re-excavation of extinct rivers, canals, beels and ponds, and 
extensive tree plantation on their banks, these reservoirs have been 
transformed into sanctuaries for endangered algae, fish, birds, animals and 
other fauna, creating a breathtaking beauty.
 
Rural people are benefiting from this project in multiple ways through 
agriculture, fisheries and tree plantations, cultivation of vegetables, 
bananas and grasses for livestock feed, and raising ducks for improving 
livelihood.
 
The re-excavated extinct canals, rivers, beels, and ponds are now filled with 
the calls of various native and migratory birds, aquatic plants, extinct 
animals and insects, and rare species of trees on the banks, creating a 
charming scene.
 
BMDA officials said re-excavation of 33 extinct canals and rivers and many 
Beels and ponds has freed over 30,000 hectares of land from water-logging 
after four decades turning those cultivable and benefiting two-lakh people. 
 
Successful implementation of the surface water conservation EIR project is 
helping farmers to produce more than two-lakh tonnes of additional Aman paddy 
worth over Taka 700-crore annually in the region.
 
Besides, stored rainwater in these re-excavated reservoirs is contributing to 
reloading groundwater tables and conserving surface water and its optimal 
utilization in agriculture and household activities.
 
Farmers said re-excavation of extinct water bodies under the project has 
freed their lands from decades-long water-logging enabling them to cultivate 
Aman paddy and two other crops every year for the first time in four decades.
 
Along with increasing crop production, they are witnessing revival of the 
lost ecosystems in the extinct water bodies with fresh environment and 
biodiversity again.
 
Farmer Mashiur Rahman of Sangkarpur village in Badarganj upazila of Rangpur 
said re-excavation of the extinct river Mora Teesta has freed his 2.62 
hectares of land from water-logging and enabled him in cultivating Aman rice 
there after four decades.
 
Housewives Halima Khatun and Mahfuza Begum of the same village said they are 
improving livelihoods by rearing ducks and farming banana, vegetables and 
Napier grass on the banks following re-excavation of the river Mora Teesta.
 
Abdul Halim and Mohammad Tuhin of the same village said they are fishing in 
the re-excavated river Mora Teesta where the nature has become green 
following plantation of tree saplings on the banks, reviving the ecosystem 
too.
 
Through re-excavation of the 11.59-acre Bharardaho Beel in Badarganj upazila 
of Rangpur, a beautiful landscape has been created by planting 6,500 trees of 
213 species of rare timber, fruit, medicinal and flower trees on its 100-feet 
wide bank.

"The Beel with plentiful flora and fauna, native and migratory birds has 
become a sanctuary for fish, birds and animals in revived ecosystems. People 
are rushing there to enjoy the loveliness," said Abdur Rahman of nearby 
Dangapara village.
 
Abdul Motaleb of Berubari union in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram said BMDA 
has re-excavated the Boalerdara canal benefitting 40,000 people of 25 
villages.
 
"Re-excavation of the canal alongside plantation of saplings on the banks has 
improved the environment. Local people are using conserved water for 
irrigation, rearing ducks, farming fish and household activities," he added.
 
Farmer Abdul Halim of nearby village Char Berubari said re-excavation of the 
canal has freed his two acres of land from water-logging paving an 
opportunity to cultivate three crops there annually after four decades.
 
Talking to BSS, BMDA Superintending Engineer and EIR Project Director 
Engineer Md Habibur Rahman Khan said many people are enjoying enormous 
benefits from the project in the greater Rangpur region.
 
The project has promoted agriculture making best use of conserved surface 
water, forestation and improved environment and biodiversity and revived 
ecosystems and sanctuaries for fish, aquatic plants and animals, insects and 
birds.
 
Farmers are providing supplementary irrigation to croplands using conserved 
surface water in re-excavated water bodies and producing more crops and 
vegetables, including two-lakh tonnes of additional Aman paddy worth Taka 
700-crore annually.