Description
Keraniganj Upazila is a developing area characterized by a network of canals and rivers. The Dhaka DC Office has reported that there are over 50 canals in the Keraniganj Upazila. The majority of the canals in Keraniganj are formed by the Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers, which border the area from the northeast and southwest sides, respectively. The canals, once used for navigation, have now become obsolete. The organization is not contributing to sustainable development and is instead facing obstacles from others. The canals are currently facing the threat of extinction due to the passage of time. There are multiple reasons. Certain canals have become obstructed due to either the accumulation of sediment or the disposal of waste materials. Certain canals have experienced drying up due to the filling up of soil in various sections, as a means to construct earthen roads. Certain canals have been filled in order to construct roads on top of them. In many instances, land grabbers have encroached upon the edges of canals by occupying the canal side area for constructing either a full structure or a portion of it. Brick kilns are commonly found alongside canals. Some canals remain in their natural state as they traverse through expansive meadows or agricultural land amidst the current turmoil.
Keraniganj is a region with a significant amount of low lying and marshy land, resulting in frequent flooding during the monsoon season. Keraniganj lacks a drainage or sewerage network, resulting in canals and rivers being responsible for managing storm water run-off. The risk of flooding in Keraniganj during the monsoon season is imminent if the canals are not protected from illegal land grabbers who are filling them up. This is because the excess water will have no means of escape from Keraniganj. The preservation of canals and rivers is essential to protect Keraniganj from flooding.
Initially, seven canals in Keraniganj have been chosen for restoration and development out of the total number of canals available. The selected areas are interconnected and connected to the Buriganga River, Dhaleshwari River, and Shing River. They are in dire need of rescue as they are rapidly deteriorating. The seven canals mentioned are: Ainta canal, Baghoir canal, Baghoir Korerga canal, Dighirpar-Kordighirpar canal, Goyeshworbari-Ghoshkanda canal, Pangaon canal, and Zazira canal. The mentioned locations are situated within the South Keraniganj area, specifically passing through Konda, Teghoria, Basta, Shuvaddhya, and Kalindi union.
The project's goal is to demarcate the borders of these canals, ensure navigability, and reestablish their interconnectivity. Once the borders are secured, vibrant areas will be developed along their shores to revitalize the canals and their surroundings.
Previous attempts to restore the Keraniganj canals have been unsuccessful. However, it is hoped that the project for these seven canals will be the first large-scale success, setting a precedent for restoring the remaining canals in Keraniganj in the near future.