Canal Excavation and Tree Plantation: Government Leads Where Environmentalists Failed

Within just one month of taking office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government has launched a nationwide canal excavation drive, while also assuring the implementation of all electoral promises one by one. In the very first cabinet meeting after forming the government, it was announced that among the 180-day priority programmes, the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies would receive special importance. Following the footsteps of his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who introduced the voluntary canal excavation program in 1977, Tarique Rahman has initiated a nationwide project in 2026 to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals. The goal of this project is to strengthen the rural economy, increase irrigation facilities, control floods, and create employment. After winning the 13th National Parliamentary Election, BNP, the country’s largest political party, formed the government. Within just one month of assuming office on 17 February, the prime minister has taken several steps that have inspired hope among the people.

Despite facing major challenges, he has begun implementing election promises one after another within a short time. One of BNP’s key electoral pledges was the “Family Card,” which had been subject to various misinformation campaigns, creating confusion among the people. Removing all uncertainties, Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Family Card programme on 10 March. On 14 March, he also launched a government honorarium programme for imams, muezzins, and religious leaders of various faiths. As a result, thousands of imams and muezzins, along with caretakers of temples, monasteries, and churches, came under direct state allowance for the first time. To strengthen poverty alleviation, the prime minister also held discussions with top Islamic scholars to explore ways to make the zakat system more effective and organised. On 16 March, he inaugurated canal excavation projects in 53 canals from Kaharole upazila in Dinajpur. As part of the election manifesto, the government has planned to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals, and water bodies over the next five years.

Between 1977 and 1981, Ziaur Rahman initiated voluntary canal excavation to bring about a “Green Revolution” in agriculture and improve rural infrastructure. Similarly, Tarique Rahman’s plan aims to increase irrigation facilities and eliminate floods and waterlogging. Alongside excavation, there are plans to plant 7,000 trees along canal banks and increase the use of surface water to maintain groundwater levels. Environmentalists had a responsibility to lead awareness and guidance on the benefits of canal excavation and re-excavation, but their role has largely been limited. They have mostly confined themselves to occasional remarks and theoretical discussions. However, there is still scope for them to play an active role in ensuring sustainable management after excavation and keeping canals free from encroachment. Evidence suggests that even if environmentalists fall short, the government will move forward toward its goal. People are now waiting to see the follow-up and success of this initiative. Under the prime minister’s directives, ministers and MPs have already prepared data on excavable canals within a short time, and excavation work has begun in various areas. Local administration is coordinating the project. However, ensuring environmentally sound methods, maintaining natural flow, and preventing encroachment and pollution remain crucial for achieving lasting benefits.

During Ziaur Rahman’s time, in the first phase, 193 canals totaling 675.18 miles were excavated and re-excavated. On 1 November, 1976, he inaugurated the re-excavation of the Betna River in Sharsha upazila of Jessore while serving as army chief and deputy chief martial law administrator. Before this initiative, only 10% of agricultural land had irrigation facilities during the dry season. After the canal excavation programme, irrigation coverage increased to at least 5.2 million acres. The project also contributed to fish production, drainage, and navigation, while boosting food production. After independence, Bangladesh faced severe challenges, including a war-ravaged economy, destroyed infrastructure, food shortages, administrative instability, and social uncertainty. Industrial production had collapsed, and agriculture was in a devastated condition. According to the World Bank, per capita income in Bangladesh was among the lowest in the world at that time. In such a situation, Ziaur Rahman adopted a realistic, production-oriented, and self-reliant development strategy. His “Green Revolution” was a groundbreaking initiative aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency.

Now, regarding the new canal excavation programme, the Ministry of Water Resources states that it will positively impact agriculture and irrigation, increasing production. It is expected to reduce drought tendencies while also minimising floods and waterlogging. Although there were plans to use mechanised methods, the prime minister has emphasised public participation to create employment opportunities. In 1991, the government led by Begum Khaleda Zia continued the canal excavation initiative started by Ziaur Rahman, launching it in several districts in 1992, though it did not gain widespread momentum afterward. This time, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has revived it with new intensity. Before independence, Bangladesh had approximately 24,000 kilometres of waterways, which have now shrunk to around 4,000 kilometres due to sedimentation.

According to the 2022 annual report of the Bangladesh River Protection Commission, citing BIWTA data, navigable waterways in the country measure around 6,000 kilometres during the monsoon but drop to only 4,347 kilometres in the dry season. Canals once played a vital role in rural life, agriculture, and livelihoods. However, due to neglect, encroachment, and unplanned development, many canals have become almost extinct, leading to increased waterlogging, irrigation crises, and environmental imbalance. In Dhaka, it is now difficult to even account for the number of canals that once existed, as many have disappeared and the remaining ones are nearly dead. A study by the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) shows that between 1940 and 2023, Dhaka lost 120 kilometres (307 hectares) of canals. Due to unplanned urbanisation, 95 canals have been significantly damaged or reduced, while only 11 canals and four lakes have been newly excavated. Comparing cadastral surveys from 1888–1940 with satellite images from 2022, RDRC identified 77 major canals and lakes in Dhaka, covering 565 hectares, of which about 55% has disappeared. Among these, 33.75% has been replaced by infrastructure, 18.92% by agricultural land, and 16.94% by roads.

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Unplanned construction and encroachment have threatened these water bodies. While small canals have sometimes been lost due to necessity, even large water bodies have been filled up. For example, the Panthapath canal, which once connected Dhanmondi Lake to Hatirjheel, is now buried under the road. Similarly, Paribagh canal, once flowing from Shahbagh to Moghbazar, has disappeared. Canals like Arambagh, Gopibagh, Rajabazar, and Nandipara-Trimohini have also been lost or converted into box culverts. The filling of Dholai Khal and Dayaganj canal has caused waterlogging in surrounding areas. According to the Natural Waterbody Conservation Act 2000, filling up ponds, canals, and rivers is illegal, punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 50,000 taka, or both. However, beyond occasional protests, environmentalists have shown limited activity.

Despite this reality, the renewed focus on canal excavation and re-excavation is gaining importance—not merely as an infrastructure initiative but as a hope for revitalising agriculture, the environment, and the rural economy. Restoring canals will not only enhance agricultural productivity but also stimulate rural economic activity. Tree plantation and vegetable cultivation along canal banks can create new income opportunities for people.

The writer is the deputy head of news at Banglavision