Canal excavation: The prospect of self-reliance and a green revolution

Only a few hours remain. Before Eid, on March 16, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the canal excavation program. The initiative will begin with the Sahapara Canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had initiated a similar program in December 1976 by excavating the Ulashi–Jadunathpur Canal in Sharsha, Jashore. Later, the program gradually expanded to various parts of the country, including the Kashadah Canal in Shibalaya of Manikganj, the Tilakkhali Canal in Netrokona, and the Borobaria Canal in Bagerhat, among many others across the nation. Ziaur Rahman’s canal excavation was an inevitable and urgent decision of the time, whereas Tarique Rahman’s initiative is an electoral promise. After BNP assumed state power following the election, the rapid commencement of a nationwide plan to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals has been remarkable; much like the remarkable distribution of the Family Card program.

The objectives and purposes of canal excavation by Ziaur Rahman and Tarique Rahman are largely the same, though technological differences mark the passage of time. Revitalizing the rural economy and achieving agricultural self-sufficiency are common goals. Through voluntary labor, Ziaur Rahman excavated thousands of kilometers of canals across the country, improving irrigation systems, controlling floods, increasing boro cultivation, and creating rural employment. This effort contributed to record levels of food production. Organizing and motivating voluntary labor is not an easy task. By mobilizing local people and engaging them in voluntary canal excavation, he created an extraordinary wave of public enthusiasm. During the dry season, canals served as reservoirs to ensure irrigation and increase boro cultivation. In the monsoon season, they helped retain excess water and reduce waterlogging, thereby protecting agricultural land and human settlements. Local employment opportunities were created, and economic self-reliance emerged.

A canal is a man-made open water channel. Canals are generally of two types: carrier canals and navigation canals. Carrier canals are excavated for purposes such as irrigation, drainage, or hydroelectric power generation. Navigation canals, on the other hand, are built primarily for water transport. However, since both types are usually connected to rivers, they often facilitate navigation in both cases. Sometimes canals also connect two natural bodies of water. In the modern world, the concept of canals has evolved. Canals are no longer merely waterways; they now play a significant role in global economics and geopolitics. The history of canal excavation dates back thousands of years, originally aimed at improving irrigation, navigation, and trade. Ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Chinese built some of the earliest canals to manage the waters of the Nile and the Tigris rivers. The Suez Canal, constructed between 1859 and 1869, is one of the most significant events in modern history, connecting Europe and Asia through a commercial water route. In the 7th century BCE, the Assyrian king Sennacherib constructed an 800-kilometer stone-lined canal. Extensive canal systems were also developed in the Nile basin for irrigation. During the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution, canal excavation became increasingly popular for trade. One notable example is France’s Canal du Midi. In the 18th and 19th centuries, canal networks expanded rapidly to meet the demands of commerce during the Industrial Revolution. Flowing through Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, the Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, handling nearly 10 percent of global maritime trade. French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps initiated its construction. Located west of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, the Suez Canal is an artificial, man-made waterway.

This canal connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. Carved through vast stretches of sandy desert, it has become a crucial route in global trade. It is estimated that nearly 10 percent of global maritime commerce passes through this canal. The Suez Canal was excavated to facilitate easier communication between Asia and Europe. Previously, ships traveling from Europe to Asia had to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, adding nearly 7,000 kilometers to their journey. Thus, the canal opened a new horizon for navigation. Over time, the route has also significantly reduced transportation costs for goods. The Panama Canal in Panama, a country in Latin America, has also been frequently discussed over the decades. Built by the United States, the canal was opened in 1914. Later, in 1977, the United States signed an agreement with Panama to transfer control of the canal to the country. However, until 1999, the two nations jointly managed the canal. The history of Bengal indicates that canal excavation here was initially intended for irrigation and drainage. Later, projects such as the Ganges-Kobadak irrigation project, the Meghna-Dhonagoda irrigation project, the Teesta project, and the Muhuri irrigation project were implemented according to the needs of the time. Some canals were equipped with regulators, sluice gates, and fish passages.

At a time when scientific models are considered the primary benchmark of acceptability, Ziaur Rahman, through his foresight and wisdom, created a groundbreaking model through the canal excavation program. Through its implementation, Bangladesh gained a distinctive identity in the world. Initiated to revive rural development and agriculture, the program ensured the retention of excess water during the monsoon season. Although the program operated under the Food-for-Work (Kabikha) scheme, it functioned largely outside the conventional administrative framework. Local police, elderly citizens, and young people voluntarily participated in canal excavation. As a result, local communities became directly involved in development activities, fostering empathy, sincerity, and a spirit of participation—an approach that is now recognized as a science-based, community-based development model. According to Banglapedia, more than 1,500 canals were excavated or restored within about one and a half years (likely between 1979 and 1980). According to a report published in the BIISS Journal, between 1979 and 1981 a total of 3,636 miles of canals were excavated through 279 projects. After the death of Ziaur Rahman, the program was discontinued.

Although the BNP returned to power several times afterward, it did not resume the canal excavation program. This time, however, the initiative is being launched with great importance and urgency. Many believe that maintaining canals and water bodies free from encroachment will serve as a powerful remedy. It could become a major contributor to the rural economy and revive a green revolution in the country’s rural development and agriculture. Due to climate change, excessive use of groundwater, and population growth, the groundwater level in this region has dropped significantly, placing it beyond the reach of ordinary people during the dry season. Because canals have been filled up and the navigability of rivers has declined, severe floods occur during the monsoon, while water shortages appear in winter. This situation has created numerous challenges for local communities. In addition, salinity is gradually increasing in the southern regions of the country, particularly in Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat. Canal excavation may bring a new environment of hope there as well. Excavation and re-excavation of canals and rivers have long been a necessity to prevent floods and droughts. Even before assuming power, Tarique Rahman recognized this issue and included it as an electoral commitment. The initiation of work within just one month of taking office sends an encouraging message.