Jamiul Islam Turan, Shantiganj (Sunamganj)::
Md. Shahin Mia, a common farmer of Jamkhla Haor in Purba Birgaon Union of Shantiganj Upazila. He has been cultivating Boro rice in this haor since he was old. Farmer Shahin cultivates 15/20 kiyar of land (30 cents per kiyar) every year. This year, this farmer has not been able to cultivate 7/8 kiyar of land yet. Because the Bachadubi Beel located in Jamkhla Haor of the union is still full of water. As the time for paddy planting has passed, the paddy seedlings in the seedbed are being destroyed. At the same time, the excess water in the beel is destroying the paddy seedlings planted on the banks of the beel. This farmer is very worried about this.
He is demanding that the excess water of the Bachadubi Beel be drained as soon as possible, keeping the water in moderation. Otherwise, much of his land will remain uncultivated. This will also cause serious economic losses to this farmer. This story of suffering is not only that of farmer Shahin Mian, but also of more than a hundred farmers around the Bachadubi Beel located north of Jamkhla Haor and south of Salaf village.
To overcome this huge problem, at least 70 farmers have drawn the attention of the concerned department through a press release signed by farmers Kamran Khan and Shahin Mia. Where there is an attachment with the public signatures of seventy farmers. In the release, the farmers claim that there is a lot of water in the Bachadubi Beel like in the rainy season. More than a hundred acres of their agricultural land are submerged under the water. In addition, due to the high water in the beel, the crops of the land where crops have been planted are also about to be destroyed due to waterlogging. In the meantime, if it rains during this month, the rainwater will accumulate and the waterlogging will become severe. In such a situation, it is necessary to drain the excess water as soon as possible by keeping as much water (3 feet) as possible in the beel as per the government instructions. Considering the suffering of hundreds of farmers, the farmers have sought the attention of the concerned department including the Upazila Executive Officer.
On Tuesday afternoon, I went to the Bachadubi Beel and saw that the Bachadubi Beel in Toitumbur was submerged in water. Cultivated land all around is being submerged in the water of the beel. Farmers are very worried about this. The cultivated land of many farmers is still submerged in water. Hundreds of farmers are waiting for the water to be released.
Farmers Kamran Khan, Shahin Mia, Iskander Ali, Hannan Mia and Nurul Islam, who are the beneficiaries of the submerged haor in Jamkhla, said, "If the water level in the beel remains as it is, even a single rain will cause waterlogging in the haor and destroy all our planted land. Moreover, many lands are still submerged under the water of the beel. If the land does not float, many lands will remain uncultivated. Meanwhile, many farmers are waiting for their lands to float by sowing seeds. The rice seedlings in the seedbeds are being destroyed while waiting."
The leaseholder of Bachadubi Bill is Dargapasha Matsjibi Samabay Samity. The president of the association is Chanu Mia. He said, we are ready to reduce the water in the bill. We have talked to the farmers and locals of the haor. They also have consent. There is permission from the Upazila Agriculture Office and Fisheries Office. UNO sir says that water cannot be drained by cutting the dam. Even after we have taken responsibility and released the water by cutting the dam and ensuring that the dam will be built securely again, UNO sir is not giving permission. It is not possible to reduce so much water through irrigation. Therefore, there is no chance of reducing the water without the cooperation of UNO sir.
Shantiganj Upazila Executive Officer Sukanta Saha said, I am aware of the matter. The lessees came to me. They want to cut the crop protection dam and drain the water. It becomes risky. Still, I spoke to the District Water Development Committee. They do not want to take this risk. They are the ones who are not giving permission. Still, I told the people of the association, if they have any say, then they should speak to the District Committee. ##
