The New Nation - Internet Edition

AS appeared recently in the media, sharp fall in underground water level will make about three lakh shallow tubewells inoperative during the Boro season hampering cultivation on eight lakh hectares of land, which is 16 per cent of total arable land. BADC sources have reportedly said this problem would ultimately reduce Boro production by about 28 lakh tonnes. In the 1980s, every shallow tubewell covered about four hectares of land, which has come down to less than 2.5 hectares due to dipping groundwater levels. According to the BADC, situation is going to be 'alarming' in the upcoming Boro season.

The BADC experts held haphazard installation of deep tubewells in areas suitable for shallow ones and it is 'a combined result' of a number of other factors including diversion of water of common rivers, droughts and generally warmer temperatures round the year. Moreover, the absence of groundwater management tools, lack of research and need- based development programmes have intensified the problem. About 23,389 square kilometres covering 23.3 and 15.9 per cent of the gross irrigated area and total arable area respectively in 31 districts has been identified as critical shallow tubewell zone. Bangladesh has only 7,000 square kilometres suitable for deep tubewell driven irrigation.

Declining groundwater table already causes about three lakh shallow tubewells to remain inoperative during the March-April period. Deterioration of groundwater quality and increasing level of salinity due to rising sea levels - both through the rivers and aquifers - is becoming significant. The government may have to replace shallow tubewells with the deep tubewells by 2010 to overcome a possible critical situation in irrigation, experts say. Due to low availability of surface water during the dry season, groundwater is extensively used for irrigation.