Canal excavation will protect natural balance: State minister

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam has said the government’s canal excavation programme will protect the natural balance and farmers will benefit greatly from restored irrigation facilities.

“If the programme succeeds, farmers, especially the poor, will be able to produce various types of crops, including vegetables. They will become economically self-sufficient,” he said at the inauguration ceremony of the Satbaria canal excavation in Fakirhat upazila of Bagerhat yesterday afternoon (16 March).

Faridul said, “Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman transformed a poor and struggling Bangladesh into an agriculturally self-reliant country. His son, Tarique Rahman, is now the prime minister of the country.”

He stated, “Many of us still bear the ink marks of voting on our hands. Meanwhile, we have begun implementing the BNP’s election pledge of a countrywide programme for the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, drains, canals and reservoirs. The BNP government remains committed to the welfare of the people.”

He added that they have already discussed with the administration the restoration of canals in nine upazilas of Bagerhat.

“The canals are being identified, and we plan to excavate them in phases to develop a modern and well-planned district,” he said, seeking cooperation from all concerned.

Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten presided over the event. 

The re-excavation of the Satbaria canal in Fakirhat will be implemented by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). According to the upazila agriculture office, 650 hectares of land will come under cultivation, benefiting around 1,500 farmers.