Condition of water of 11 Rivers and 02 Canals in Nayakrishi areas
UBINIG || Saturday 04 July 2026 ||
Soil and water management issues were discussed on the third day of the 17th Karmi Unnati Shava (staff improvement meeting). Water from the rivers was discussed on the second session. The presentation on water from 11 rivers and 02 canals was rich and lively. The rivers and canals from where water samples were collected included –The Dhalahwri, Kaligonga, Turag, Chiknai, Khalishadanga, Chandrobati, Padma, Gorai, Louhajang, Alongjani, Matamohari river, Mirjapur canal, and Zia canal.
Bangladesh is a riverine country. There are many rivers in Bangladesh. The present condition of the rivers in Bangladesh was highlighted in the introductory speech offered by Farida Akhter. She mentioned that there are about one thousand rivers in Bangladesh, including their branches. Some of the rivers have become polluted. Many rivers are highly navigable. In the rainy season, the haors become full of water, and a large number of fish are available there. Rice is cultivated there in the winter season.
At present, water pollution has reached a dangerous level in Bangladesh. There is environmental pollution from industrial waste, arsenic contamination from groundwater extraction for irrigation, and intrusion of saline water in the coastal region. Underground water is the main source of drinking water. The water has been polluted due to the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. Under such water conditions, a discussion on the water situation in the Nayakrishi areas was organized.
Table 1: At a glance on water samples of Nayakrishi center areas.
|
Name of the rivers/ source of water |
Name the area |
Presented by |
Description of Water |
Centers |
|
Matamohuri River |
Badarkhali |
Momtaj |
Water from the Matamohuri river is saline water mixed with water from the Bay of Bengal. The water is fresh and sweet in the rainy season. The water is used for salt extraction |
Nonabari Biddaghor, Badarkhali, Cox’s bazar |
|
Padma River |
Kushtia |
Nayakrishi farmer Monirujjaman |
The water is clean, fresh, and sweet. The water is used for cooking rice, pulses, and other food items and also for bathing |
Nabopran Akhrabari, Kushtia |
|
Mirjapur Canal |
Kumarkhali, Kushtia |
Nayakrishi farmer Monirujjaman |
The water is blackish due to the presence of water hyacinth; it is otherwise in good condition. In the rainy season, flooded with water from the Padma and Gorai Rivers |
Nabopran Akhrabari, Kushtia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zia Canal |
Kumarkhali, Kushtia |
Doly Bhadra |
The canal is near the Padma River, The water is used in agriculture. The water is clean. Many fishes including hilsha, are available. |
Nabopran Akhrabari, Kushtia |
|
Kaligomga River |
Bot-tola, Kushtia |
Poresh Kumar Mondol |
The water is polluted from near Bot-tola. Water from factories is polluted. Fish is in abundance in this river. |
Nabopran Akhrabari, Kushtia |
|
Gorai River |
Kushtia |
Poresh Kumar Mondol |
The water is clean. The water is used for irrigation. A wide variety of fish, including hilsha, is available. |
Nabopran Akhrabari, Kushtia |
|
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|
Dhalahwri |
Delduar, Tangail |
Nayakrishi farmer Abdul Alim |
The water is clean and sweet, suitable for drinking. Varieties of fish are available in the rainy season. |
Ridoypur Biddaghor, Tangail |
|
Alongjani |
Delduar, Tangail |
Nayakrishi farmer Khadija |
The water is clean. Varieties of fish are available |
Ridoypur Biddaghor, Tangail |
|
Louhajang |
Delduar, Tangail |
Nayakrishi farmer Khadija |
The water is clean, fresh, and sweet. Varieties of fish are available. |
Ridoypur Biddaghor, Tangail |
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|
Chandraboti |
Diarpara, Atghoria |
Nayakrishi farmer Sanoara |
The water is used for irrigation in crop fields, There were many varieties of fish in the river in the past but now these are eroded |
Arshinagor Biddaghor, Pabna |
|
Chiknai |
Natore |
Golam Mustafa Rony |
The water from this river is used by farmers in ten villages for irrigation. Varieties of fish are available in this river |
Arshinagor Biddaghor, Pabna |
|
Khalishadanga |
|
Golam Mustafa Rony |
The water color is slightly greenish. There is water hyacinth in the water. The water is used for irrigation in crop field. Varieties of fish are available. |
Arshinagor Biddaghor, Pabna |
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|
Turag |
Dhaka |
Jahangir Alam Jony |
The water of this river is badly polluted. There is bad smell of the water. Raga fish is available in this river |
Dhaka Shyamoli office |
There was an opportunity for us to see directly the water of 11 rivers and 02 canals brought by participants in bottles and discuss their attributes. It was learned that the water in the river and canals in the Nayakrishi area was good. Naturally, there was a question about how the water in the rivers and canals in the Nayakrishi area was good? The big answer was that there was no use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the Nayakrishi areas. There was no groundwater extraction for irrigation. The water in the rivers and canals in Dhaka and other cities was polluted by industrial waste and illegal occupation. In particular, the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, and Sitalakhya in Dhaka were severely polluted.
With a view to keeping the water of the rivers and canals in good condition, there is an urgent need to control the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In addition, the rivers, canal and other water bodies must be maintained free from illegal occupation.
