Prime Minister Tarique Rahman launches canal restoration in Bogura, linking active waterways to economic growth, irrigation, and climate resilience, while urging public action against pollution and encroachment.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated a canal excavation programme in the country’s north, saying active rivers and waterways are key to keeping the economy flowing.
The inauguration took place in Bagbari village of Gabtoli upazila in Bogura, a northern district of Bangladesh, where the prime minister formally launched the excavation and re-excavation of the Nashipur Choukirdah canal at his ancestral residence in the afternoon.
The initiative is part of a nationwide project to restore lost water bodies through the excavation of rivers, canals, and reservoirs, reflecting the government’s electoral commitment to environmental protection and climate change risk mitigation.
Addressing the event, Rahman said preserving water sources is a top government priority to maintain ecological balance and boost agricultural output. He noted that the pledge to expand river and canal dredging across the country, made ahead of the election, is now being implemented.
He said that once completed, the canal would provide irrigation to farmers in Nashipur and surrounding areas, reduce pressure on groundwater resources, and contribute to the conservation of local biodiversity.
The prime minister also underscored the need for public awareness to keep canals free from encroachment and pollution alongside excavation efforts.
For years, the Nashipur Choukirdah canal remained clogged with silt, causing severe waterlogging during the monsoon and acute water shortages in the dry season. Authorities expect that restoring the canal’s natural flow will bring irrigation to several thousand acres of farmland in the area.
Highlighting the importance of sustainable development, Rahman said maintaining functional waterways is directly linked to sustaining national economic activity. He added that such initiatives will help protect the environment and ensure a greener and more livable Bangladesh for future generations.
After the ceremony, the prime minister exchanged greetings with local farmers. The project has been welcomed by residents in Bagbari and across Gabtoli, where it has generated notable enthusiasm.
State Minister for Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam and senior officials from the Ministry of Water Resources were present at the event.
