We all know that Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country. People here survive by fighting against different calamities like floods, river erosion, and cyclones. But another additional problem for the haor region is flash floods.
Normal or seasonal floods occur during regular summer, but this kind of flood occurs in the months of Baishakh-Jaisthya. These floods are smaller in magnitude than seasonal floods; but this is the biggest calamity for the farmers of haor region -- because early floods can destroy a farmer's entire year's food or the sole crop, boro paddy.
Paddy cultivated in hundreds of bighas can be wiped out in a single day. A haor region farmer's dream of bringing home the fresh harvest can get shattered into pieces overnight.
Such floods are not common in other parts of the country. This is because of the topography of the haor region. It is surrounded by mountains and the haors are like pots. Therefore, when it rains in hilly or high areas, it immediately rolls down and causes flash floods, while destroying ripe or half-ripe paddy.
In other parts of the country, by the time the monsoon floods hit, the paddy gets ripe and is being harvested. But in the haor areas, flash floods hit during unexpected hours. As a result, happiness and sorrow, laughter and tears of the people living in the haor areas depend on the advent of flash floods. If it hits before the harvest, it will cause destruction and melancholy for the people. Whereas if it hits after the harvest, people will burst into laughter and dive into happiness.
Unfortunately, most years, early floods destroy part or all of the paddy fields in the haor region. Almost every year, we can see the cries of haor farmers. Who will save these farmers from the wrath of nature?
Apart from the good grace of nature, there is another way to save them from this calamity -- crop saving embankments/dams. But in recent years, the effectiveness of these dams is gradually decreasing. It's definitely due to inefficiency and irregularity. But another major factor is the lack of involvement of the local public or community in dam construction and maintenance activities to the desired extent.
It is true that the current government spends hundreds of crores every year to save crops of the haor region. It means there is no dearth of allocation and project meant to save the crops. In other words, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has a special focus on the protection of haor people and saving crops. But if the dam is not sustainable, then all goes in vain.
I think public money should be utilized properly instead of throwing it down the drain. Construction of sustainable dams is essential for haor region. This is a vital way to save crops in this region from flash floods. But how could the public be involved in the construction of the dam?
Earlier, dams for saving crops were built by contractors. They were awarded contracts. They would complete the work, withdraw money, and leave. How that work was done, what is its quality -- there was no accountability in these matters.
We remember that a few years back, in 2017, there was massive crop destruction in the haor areas due to flash floods. Many people lost everything. At that time, lots of conversations were initiated about the management of haor dams.
This catalyzed some changes in dam management. "Kabita (Kajer Binimoye Taka) Rules 2017" was adopted. With this, the practice of building dams on a contractual-basis came to an end.
The new policy has some specific provisions. A Project Implementation Committee or PIC will be formed comprising local farmers. But it is seen that local influencial people make it to these committees instead of farmers. We have to be vocal against this so that farmers' rights and participation are guaranteed. Because if the haor's crop saving dams are not in good shape, then this farmer's crop will get ruined.
Another concern about PIC is that it does not allow inclusion of farmers in many dam protection committees (as per some clauses). I think, leaders and activists of haor area should get united on this issue.
Besides, crop saving dams are never constructed, renovated, or repaired on time. If the dam is repaired or renovated late, it is of no use, because flash floods can happen anytime. Also, if the dam is built late, the soil in the dam gets soft and can easily collapse during a flash flood. Such incident has happened many times in recent years.
There are other irregularities too. For example, according to the policy, soil for the dam should be brought from a distance of at least 50 metres from the dam because, if excavated closely, the dam itself may collapse. It is not followed now. Some farmers complain that too many unnecessary dams are being built.
Another problem is that if a dam collapses, it is washed away by floods and fills the river. As a result, the navigability of the river decreases. Again, while building the dam, the surface of the haor region is also being damaged. Therefore, the construction of unnecessary dams should be stopped.
I believe there is a need for increasing research on how haor's crop protection dam could be made sustainable. The adverse effects of climate change in the haor region should also be considered now, because its adverse effects are becoming serious. Climate change has altered rainfall patterns and timing of flash floods. As a result, all harvest-related activities get delayed.
Again, experts say that the flood timing in the haor area is gradually changing. In 2017, the flash floods hit on March 28. But before that, floods used to come at the end of April or at the beginning of March. We have to think about these things as well.
In order to avoid flash floods, it is necessary to dig the rivers flowing through the haor areas. Because the riverbed is raised due to excess sedimentation, while decreasing the water holding capacity of the river and hampering normal flow of water. So, the water from the mountain stream spread directly to the croplands. Haor's rivers must be dredged.
The most important thing is to organize the farmers of haor area and make them aware of their rights. If farmers are made aware of their rights, they will work to realize their rights themselves.
If there is unity and enthusiasm among the politicians, it is possible to repair the haor crop saving dams on time and ensure the participation of the farmers in these activities. I call upon the political leaders of Sunamganj to get ready for the betterment of the people, regardless of party affiliation.
Above all, the farmers should also be taken along this journey. Many of them may not have formal education, but their experience and latent knowledge can act as a guiding tool. Their toil and hard work to ensure a good harvest should not go in vain owing to our lackluster attitude.
Selim Ahmed is Chairman, Sunamganj Foundation, President of Sunamganj District Krishak League, and former central leader of BCL).
