A sudden ban on irrigation groundwater in Barind’s 4,911 villages threatens crops and livelihoods, as farmers face water shortages without alternatives, compensation or phased support amid worsening climate impacts.
Farmers in northwestern Bangladesh’s Barind region are facing a severe crisis after the government issued a gazette on 6 November 2025 banning groundwater extraction for irrigation across 4,911 villages in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj and Natore districts. Only drinking water use is allowed, leaving farmers struggling to irrigate rice, wheat, vegetables and other crops.
The gazette cites declining groundwater levels and environmental protection as reasons for the prohibition. However, it provides no guidance on alternative irrigation methods, compensation or phased implementation. Experts warn that the abrupt restriction could jeopardize the region’s agricultural future and the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers.
Environmental activists and local authorities urge policymakers to engage communities, invest in surface water infrastructure, promote water-efficient crops and gradually reduce groundwater reliance. Without coordinated action, the water crisis in Barind could escalate, affecting millions who depend on fragile groundwater systems for survival and livelihoods.
Barind, one of Bangladesh’s driest regions, relies heavily on irrigation due to its elevated terrain, red clay soil and low rainfall. Since the 1980s, the government, through the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), has promoted deep tube wells to support water-intensive crops such as boro rice. This policy reshaped cropping patterns, land use, rural livelihoods and the local economy. BMDA now operates around 18,000 deep tube wells across the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.
The groundwater level in the region is falling drastically due to indiscriminate extraction, mainly for irrigation. Over the past 20 years, unregulated groundwater lifting and widespread use of pesticides have worsened the situation, causing environmental stress and threatening sustainable agriculture.
Professor Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan of Rajshahi University said the interim government recently published the gazette declaring 4,911 villages in 25 upazilas under Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts as water-stressed for the next 10 years. Restrictions have been imposed on underground water extraction for any purpose other than drinking. “No more groundwater will be used for irrigation or industrial purposes in the restricted areas,” he said.
Several unions and upazilas, including Kalma Union under Tanore Upazila, Godagari, Sapahar, Porsha and Chapainawabganj Sadar, are heavily affected. Local farmers report they were not consulted before the ban. Many have already invested in seeds, fertilizers and land preparation. “Barind is not barren. Everything from rice to vegetables depends on irrigation. Without tube wells, our fields will lie fallow,” said Nur Mohammad, a gold-medal-winning farmer from Tanore. Enforcement is uneven, with influential landowners continuing to extract water while smallholders face restrictions.
Experts emphasize that surface water conservation is essential to mitigate the crisis, which has been worsened by low rainfall. Professor Sarwar Jahan highlighted the need to enrich surface water resources, including introducing water from the Padma River into the region for irrigation. Rainwater harvesting and conservation are critical, and leasing of government ponds, canals, beels and wetlands should be stopped so water remains open for agricultural use. Promoting less water-intensive crops is also vital.
Development activist Jahangir Alam Khan said the region has around 10,000 ponds, 200 canals and ten large wetlands, including the 6,388-acre Beelbhatia wetland in Bholahat Upazila. If re-excavated, tens of thousands of hectares could be irrigated year-round. A four to five-kilometre water body in Rohanpur, Gomastapur Upazila, could provide irrigation for 10,000 hectares of farmland for 25,000 farmers if restored. The Chowdala-Boalia canal, if renovated, could irrigate around 150 hectares. Transitioning from groundwater-based irrigation to surface water systems could ease pressure on declining groundwater.
Khan warned that declining water resources are threatening marginalized and low-income families. Rainwater harvesting could play a crucial role in easing living and livelihood pressures and communities need knowledge and tools to implement these technologies. Conventional surface water promotion in Barind has focused on reducing groundwater depletion, improving domestic water supply, enhancing livelihoods and building climate resilience through efficient water use. Key initiatives include pond re-excavation, canal renovation and promoting water-efficient crops to gradually shift irrigation reliance from groundwater to sustainable surface sources.
The potential impact of the ban is severe. Experts estimate that 2.54 million hectares could remain uncultivated and crop production could drop by 2.7 million metric tons in the current season. Farmers fear financial losses, migration and increased debt without phased implementation and transitional support.
Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, emphasized the human and climate dimensions. “Barind’s farmers face both environmental and economic stress. Policies must be inclusive, phased and provide transitional support to ensure food security while conserving scarce water resources.” Groundwater depletion, climate variability and inadequate surface water management together threaten agriculture and rural livelihoods in Barind, highlighting the urgent need for integrated solutions.
BMDA Executive Director Tarikul Islam said, “We understand the seriousness of the groundwater depletion issue. Our teams are working to enhance surface water use, renovate ponds and canals and introduce alternative irrigation methods so farmers can continue cultivation while protecting groundwater.”
