Bangladesh has long been described as a land of rivers and canals. In the basin of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, countless rivers, tributaries and thousands of canals once served as the lifeline of rural life. These waterways were closely connected to agriculture, fisheries, navigation and the environment. During the monsoon, water flowed through canals into rivers, while in the dry season, the same canal water sustained agricultural land. In this way, a natural balance was maintained among the rural economy, farming communities and biodiversity, strengthening Bangladesh’s traditional water management system. However, over time, due to reduced river flow, sedimentation, mismanagement and encroachment, many canals and waterways in the country are now on the verge of extinction. As a result, irrigation shortages, waterlogging, environmental imbalance and the weakening of the rural economy are becoming increasingly evident.
In this context, canal excavation programs have once again come into discussion. The initiative that brought new momentum to Bangladesh’s agriculture nearly four decades ago is now raising fresh questions among policymakers, researchers and the general public about whether its revival could open new possibilities in the current reality.
After independence, Bangladesh’s economy was in a very fragile condition. In the mid-1970s, food production, agricultural infrastructure and the rural economy were weak. In this context, then President Ziaur Rahman adopted several initiatives to increase agricultural production and strengthen the rural economy, among which canal excavation and re-excavation were among the most significant. He considered agriculture as the main foundation of the economy and promoted the concept of a “Green Revolution.” At that time, the government’s plan was to revive natural waterways to expand irrigation facilities and activate the rural production system. As part of this plan, a large-scale canal excavation and rehabilitation program was implemented across the country between 1978 and 1981.
According to various studies and government data, it is estimated that more than 20,000 kilometers of canals were excavated or re-excavated during that period. Some international research reports mention that in the fiscal year 1979-80 alone, more than 1,000 kilometers of canals were excavated, creating new irrigation facilities for approximately 250,000 hectares of land. This initiative brought visible changes in agricultural production in many regions of Bangladesh. Around 1975, the country’s total food grain production was approximately 11 to 12 million tons. However, by the early 1980s, it began to increase rapidly, reaching about 15 million tons by 1985. Researchers believe that, along with improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems, canal excavation programs also played an important role in this production growth.
Canal excavation helped store monsoon water and increase irrigation during the dry season. As a result, farmers were able to convert single-crop land into double or triple-crop land. In many areas, the revival of canals created opportunities for Boro rice cultivation. According to various older data from the Ministry of Agriculture, irrigation coverage in the late 1970s was about 1.5 to 1.6 million hectares, which began to increase rapidly in the early 1980s. This led to an increase in both agricultural production and farmers’ incomes. At that time, a large part of the rural economy directly depended on this water management system.
The fisheries sector also experienced significant benefits from canal excavation programs. In the 1970s, Bangladesh’s total fish production was around 700,000 to 800,000 tons, most of which came from natural water bodies. With the natural flow of canals and wetlands, fish breeding and expansion were more abundant. Re-excavation of canals revived many natural water bodies, creating an important source of food and income for local communities. At the same time, canals played a crucial role in rural transportation. In many areas, waterways were used to transport agricultural products easily to markets.
However, the continuity of these positive initiatives did not last long. Over the past four decades, the condition of Bangladesh’s rivers and canals has changed dramatically. According to various studies and environmental organizations, although there were once more than 700 rivers in the country, a large portion of them are now nearly dead or significantly reduced. Upstream dams, excessive sedimentation, unplanned infrastructure development, and encroachment have obstructed the natural flow of rivers and canals. In particular, many studies mention that the Farakka Barrage in India’s West Bengal has had long-term impacts on Bangladesh’s river flow. During the dry season, reduced water flow in the Ganges has caused many rivers and canals in the southwestern region to dry up, with effects gradually spreading to other regions of the country.
According to data from the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the country once had around 25,000 kilometers of canals, but a large portion has now been filled up or encroached upon. Many canals have become narrower due to years of sediment accumulation. Environmental studies show that over the past 40 years, more than half of the country’s small canals have effectively disappeared. Many canals have been replaced by houses, markets, or roads. As a result, natural drainage systems have been blocked, and waterlogging has become a major problem.
Currently, about 75 percent of agricultural irrigation in Bangladesh depends on groundwater. It is mentioned in various agricultural studies that more than 1.7 million irrigation pumps are used to extract water. As a result, groundwater levels are rapidly declining in many areas. In some northern districts, groundwater levels have dropped by 10 to 20 meters over the past three decades. If this trend continues, both agricultural production and water security may be at risk in the future.
In this reality, the current Prime Minister considers canal excavation and re-excavation programs important once again and has already initiated activities. With proper planning and effective implementation, if at least 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers of canals can be revived, millions of hectares of land will come under irrigation, significantly increasing agricultural production. Currently, the country produces more than 40 million tons of food grains annually; with improved water management, production could increase by several million tons in the next decade.
The fisheries sector will also benefit. Although the country produces about 4.7 to 4.8 million tons of fish annually, production from natural sources is declining. Restoring the natural flow of canals and rivers would increase natural fish production and help conserve indigenous species. Canal revival is also important for transportation. In the past, waterways were the main mode of communication in rural areas. Reviving canals would reactivate water transport, reduce transportation costs, and promote environmentally friendly communication systems.
At different times after independence, canal re-excavation programs have had positive impacts. In the 1970s and 1980s, about 24,000 kilometers of canals were active, providing irrigation to 30-40 percent of agricultural land. Currently, due to reduced navigability, sedimentation, and encroachment, about 60-70 percent of canals have lost their functionality. Therefore, it is not enough to excavate canals alone; restoring river navigability is essential first. Over the past 50 years, reduced depth in major rivers has disrupted natural water flow into canals. Excavating rivers to restore water sources and then re-excavating canals could bring new momentum to agriculture, fisheries, and the rural economy.
Another significant aspect of canal re-excavation is flood control and urban drainage improvement. Each year, on average, 20-25 percent of Bangladesh is flooded, causing economic losses of approximately 2-3 billion dollars. If canals in major cities, including the capital, are properly re-excavated and freed from encroachment, excess rainwater can be drained quickly during the monsoon, reducing waterlogging and helping maintain normal urban life. Additionally, clearing encroachments could recover large amounts of government land, which could play an important role in environmental conservation and urban planning.
However, there are major challenges in implementing this program, and without addressing them, desired outcomes will be difficult to achieve. First, canal re-excavation requires substantial funding-one study suggests that the average cost per kilometer could range from 10 to 30 million taka, putting pressure on the national budget. Second, corruption and lack of monitoring could reduce effectiveness; past infrastructure projects have seen 20-30 percent fund mismanagement. Therefore, it is essential to ensure proper canal selection, digital monitoring systems, transparent tender processes, and local community participation. Additionally, integrating river and canal management into a long-term master plan could make the program sustainable.
With proper planning and effective implementation, canal re-excavation projects can bring transformative changes to Bangladesh’s agriculture, fisheries, transportation, and urban management. However, significant financial investment is required. Experts suggest that a national program to re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals may require several thousand crore taka. The average cost per kilometer may vary depending on width, depth, and geographical conditions. Funding can be sourced from the national budget, development partners, climate funds, and local development projects. International climate funds and environmental organizations are also often interested in financing water resource restoration projects.
Successful implementation requires more than excavation; it demands long-term planning and strong management structures. Removing encroachments, ensuring regular maintenance, and restoring river-canal connectivity are essential. At the same time, local community participation must be ensured so that people themselves take part in maintaining these waterways.
Bangladesh’s history shows that with proper planning and political will, significant transformation in agriculture and the rural economy is possible. Canal excavation once served as a powerful tool for agricultural development. After more than four decades, this initiative has returned to the forefront. If implemented through scientific planning, environmental consideration, and long-term management, it will not only be a development project but also open a new horizon of possibilities for Bangladesh’s agriculture, environment, and economy. Perhaps then it can once again be said that a new chapter of green revolution has begun on the soil of this riverine country.
-The writer is a economist, researcher and columnist.
