BRAHMANBARIA, Mar 17: The government has launched an initiative to restore nearly 400 canals across Brahmanbaria District as part of a broader plan to boost agricultural production, investment, and environmental sustainability.
State Minister for Planning Zunaid Saki announced the initiative on Monday during the inauguration of the re-excavation of the Boalia Canal in Bijoynagar Upazila. He said the government is taking coordinated action nationwide to revive rivers, canals, and wetlands, which he described as crucial for both livelihoods and the environment.
"These waterways are vital for agricultural production, job creation, and investment. Those who illegally occupy or pollute them must be held accountable," Zunaid Saki said.
He added that restoring the canals would not only increase economic activity but also protect biodiversity and natural resources, reflecting the government's vision for sustainable development.
The Boalia Canal, around six kilometres long and connected to the Titas River at both ends, had previously seen four kilometres of its length restored. On Monday, the remaining two kilometres, along with a 1.8-kilometre branch canal, were officially reopened. The project, funded at approximately Tk 31 lakh, is being implemented by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).
The inauguration was chaired by DC Sharmin Akter Jahan and attended by MPs Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamol and M.A. Hannan, SP Shah Md. Abdur Rauf, District Council Administrator Sirajul Islam, and other local officials and community leaders.
Saki stressed the need for public vigilance to ensure that the projects are implemented transparently and that state resources benefit local communities.
The restoration programme is part of a wider national effort to protect waterways, improve irrigation, and promote sustainable agriculture, while addressing the longstanding problem of canal encroachment and pollution.
