Baral dries up allegedly because of regulator

The Tk 418.6 million Baral Regulator built at the confluence of Baral and Padma rivers in 1984 at Charghat has virtually become a 'death trap' for farmers in 12 upazilas in Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna and Sirajganj districts.

Water Development Board (WDB) sources at Rajshahi and Natore say the three-vent regulator was constructed to keep the catchment area of the river flood-free and to preserve water for dry season irrigation.

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But the result has been just the reverse as the Baral has dried up due to the regulator.

To preserve water, another five-vent regulator was constructed at Atghoria in Pabna, 46 kilometres downstream of Charghat, under the Baral Basin Development Project (BBDP) in 1995-1996 at a cost of Tk 45.196 million.

The Baral, a tributary of Padma originating at Charghat, flows through Paba, Charghat, Bagha and Puthia upazilas in Rajshahi district; Natore Sadar, Bagatipara, Gurudaspur, Lalpur and Boraigram upazilas in Natore; Ishurdi and Chatmohar upazilas in Pabna and Bhangura in Sirajganj district.

The river falls into the Atrai river at Chanchkoir in Gurudaspur upazila in Natore.

One of the main objectives was to bring about 1,00,000 acres of land under irrigation by controlling flood.

Though the project yielded no benefit for over two million farmers in the last two decades, the WDB officials continued to implement the project, scheduled to be completed next year.

The project cost is also increasing. Land acquisition cost increased from Tk 28.5 million to Tk 48 million, sources said.

Local people and experts say the Baral Regulator has caused havoc with environment. The Baral, which earlier remained full of water throughout the year, now remains dry in almost all seasons.

Even during monsoon, sufficient water does not flow into the river through the regulator as the river has been silted at the source. Fishes have also disappeared as they can not move into the river, making hundreds of fishermen unemployed.

The Baral has also lost its navigability. Boats and ferry vessels, which earlier used to carry goods and fuel from Baghabarighat and Rajshahi, can not move now.

Local people in Charghat said the Baral river could be saved by dredging it at its confluence with the Padma.

The regulator should be replaced by a bridge. Normal flow of river can be restored by pumping water from the Padma into the Baral, the say.

Abdul Latif, a teacher and former chairman of Charghat UCCA, told this correspondent that WDB constructed the regulator ignoring protests by local people.

During protest, WDB authorities had assured the people of Charghat that regulator would not be constructed but the assurance was not kept. They ultimately constructed the regulator and turned a live river dead, he said.