The Barind Tract region is struggling with a worsening water crisis as groundwater levels drop sharply, drying out land surfaces and prolonging drought conditions. Heavy dependence on deep tube wells and weak surface water management have created acute shortages affecting agriculture, households and daily life.
In response, the government has issued new directives banning the use of deep tube well water for irrigation and industrial purposes, and restricting groundwater extraction. The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), which operates about 18,000 deep tube wells in the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, received the government gazette outlining the restrictions last week.
Barind Tract produces an estimated 4.5 million metric tons of food grains annually, supported largely by BMDA’s deep tube well irrigation system. The region is a key agricultural hub, supplying around 35 percent of Bangladesh’s irrigated Boro rice and 60 percent of its wheat.
Development activist Arif Ithar said irrigation transformed Barind from single-crop to triple-crop land. “As a result, food production has increased significantly,” he said, noting farmers have also expanded into mango, guava, citrus fruits, vegetables, spices, pulses and oilseeds. “If the water supply suddenly stops, it will have a negative impact on the country’s food security.”
Water resource experts say reducing pressure on groundwater is urgent. They recommend rainwater harvesting—collecting rooftop water at homes, markets and schools—along with re-digging ponds and ditches and restoring canals and drainage channels to provide year-round water for irrigation and households.
Agricultural expert Rabiul Islam, Executive Director of Acedo, said nearly all farmers rely on deep tube well water. “Stopping groundwater extraction is important, but so is ensuring water for farmers,” he said. “It would have been better if the government had taken farmers’ opinions before issuing the notification.”
Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan, professor of geology and mining at Rajshahi University, said ponds and ditches—once part of Barind’s heritage—have been filled over time. “Re-digging reservoirs will increase irrigation supply and help recharge groundwater,” he said. Stopping deep tube well irrigation without alternatives, he warned, will hurt crop production.
Farmers echoed these concerns. “If we don’t get water now, how will we grow crops?” asked farmer Sohrab Ali. “We need alternative water first.”
Syed Zillul Bari, executive engineer of BMDA’s irrigation branch, said the issue requires high-level government decision-making. “It is not possible to stop agriculture in this way in the context of Bangladesh,” he said. “Now it is up to the government to sit and decide.”
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
