Once swift-flowing Ichamoti river was a blessing for local farmers

Once swift-flowing river Ichamoti was a blessing for local farmers. Water from this river was used to irrigate crop lands in surrounding areas. The Ichamoti has lost its youth. During the dry season, the river becomes completely waterless. Farmers can no longer irrigate their fields either. The blessing of the past has now become a 'cause of tears' for the farmers. Visiting the spot, it was seen that Boro paddy has been cultivated across the riverbed. Looking at the paddy fields, there is no way to understand whether it is a river or flat land.

Due to the lack of water in the river, irrigation activities for dry season crops come to a halt. Shallow machines have to be installed right inside the river to pump water. On the other hand, during the monsoon season, water overflows both banks of the river and submerges adjacent lands. Local residents said that due to the river being silted up and its water-holding capacity decreasing, localities get flooded. According to them, the Ichamoti river, having lost its navigability, is facing an existential crisis. Proper plans need to be taken right now to save this river.

Faruk Ahmed, executive engineer of Dinajpur Water Development Board (WDB), said there are 34 rivers, big and small, in the district. To maintain water flow, six rivers including Punarbhaba have already been excavated. Proposals have also been made to excavate the Ichamoti and Chhota Jamuna rivers. Locals said the Ichamoti flows through Nosratpur, Alokdihi and Satnala areas of Chirirbandar upazila. Large sailing boats and ships used to ply on this river. Ranirbandar grew up on the riverbank for the convenience of trade and commerce. Now all these are history.

Elderly teacher Babu Nandishwar Das of Gachhahar village, Saberuddin of Nosratpur, Mujibur Rahman of Jot Satnala village and a few others said the Ichamoti is no longer a river. If someone sees it suddenly, they will think it is flat land. A couple of hollows are visible in some places on the riverbed. They also contain a little water. The river remains without water for most of the year. The Ichamoti, having lost its navigability, is now a paddy field. As the river dries up before the dry season, many indigenous species of fish and aquatic animals have disappeared. Fishermen are changing their professions and moving to other jobs.

Their demand is that if the river is excavated, surrounding farmers will benefit in cultivation. Fishermen will be able to earn their livelihood by catching fish in the river. Source: Bangladesh Pratidin