By Sumon Ali from Rajshahi
Local farmers have demanded urgent restoration of the Bil Falia Canal, which flows between Karigorpara of Bargachhi and Dadpur, saying the waterway has lost its natural flow and usability due to severe neglect.
According to residents, the canal was once clean and actively used for fishing, irrigation of adjacent farmlands, and daily household needs. However, it is now heavily clogged with water hyacinth, causing the water level to drop significantly. As a result, fish populations have declined, irrigation has become impossible, and farming has turned increasingly difficult for surrounding communities.
Approximately 150 acres (around 450 bighas) of arable land lie on both sides of the canal. Farmers said that irregular rainfall this year, combined with blocked water drainage due to the water hyacinth infestation has caused severe waterlogging in low-lying fields. Many farmlands remained uncultivated as excess water from the wetland failed to drain.
People who once depended on fishing in the canal for their livelihoods have now become unemployed. Even birds and other wildlife are reportedly struggling to access water due to the dense vegetation.
Local communities have urged the government, the Water Development Board, and the administration to immediately inspect and rehabilitate the Bil Falia Canal to restore its natural condition. They also demanded the construction of a culvert to ensure safe movement between the two sides of the canal and improve local connectivity.
