Bangladesh will excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals over five years to revive waterways, improve irrigation, support agriculture and strengthen climate resilience, alongside nationwide tree plantation and afforestation programmes.
The Bangladesh government is preparing to launch a nationwide canal excavation programme to restore waterways, support agriculture and strengthen environmental resilience, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said on Sunday.
“We are planning to excavate around 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country within the next five years,” the minister said. “This historic work will be formally inaugurated very soon.”
He made the remarks while inaugurating a canal excavation activity in Sharikal Union of Gournadi upazila in Barishal, a southern district of Bangladesh and his constituency. Swapan told reporters that the issue had already been discussed at a cabinet meeting. “It may take some more time to officially start the nationwide programme but the projects that are already ongoing will be included in the larger initiative,” he said.
The minister also announced plans to plant trees along both sides of the canals. “We will plant trees on both banks of these canals. Not only there, we are planning afforestation and greening programmes in schools, colleges, madrasas and open spaces across the country,” he said.
Highlighting environmental challenges, Swapan said Bangladesh’s high population density and rapid urbanisation are putting pressure on farmland and green areas. “Because of industrialisation and urban expansion, our agricultural land and forests are decreasing. The country is gradually losing trees and this is having a serious impact on our climate and environment,” he said. “That is why we are giving equal importance to canal excavation and afforestation as part of an integrated project.”
Referring to the vision of Tarique Rahman, the minister said several initiatives are now being implemented. “After coming to power, we have started working on the plans that were outlined earlier, including canal excavation, afforestation and women’s empowerment,” he said.
He also recalled earlier canal restoration efforts introduced during the tenure of Ziaur Rahman. “At that time, canal excavation helped increase food production in the country,” Swapan said. “Many canals later became inactive which affected agriculture. Through this programme, tidal water will again be able to reach farmers’ fields more easily.”
After inaugurating the canal excavation programme, the minister exchanged greetings with grassroots political activists and polling station level leaders from the Gournadi and Agailjhara areas.
