Re-excavation restores tides in Sundarbans canals

After almost two decades, tidal currents have resumed flowing through the silted-up Aruarber and Kharma canals in the Eastern Sundarbans.

The return of water to these canals has brought joy to fishermen and fishing communities.

Under the Sundarbans Protection Project, the Bangladesh Water Development Board has re-excavated the two canals over a period of one year.

According to Forest Department sources, around two decades ago the Aruarber Canal, located adjacent to the Dhansagar Forest Station Office under the Chandpai Range of the Eastern Sundarbans Division, and the Kharma Canal at Chandpai Station became heavily silted and narrowed.

As a result, tidal flow in these canals stopped for a long time, and boat movement also ceased.

Due to this, fishermen and fishing communities had to walk 8 to 10 kilometers through the Sundarbans to reach the Shela River for fishing.

Because of the lack of transport facilities and the blockage of the canals, fishermen also faced difficulties reaching Dhansagar Station to obtain fishing permits.

After two decades, tidal flow has now returned to the canals, creating a sense of relief and joy among local fishermen and fishing communities.

Fishermen from Uttar Rajapur village under Sharankhola Upazila, located near the Sundarbans, including Rubel Hawladar and Malek Bepari, as well as fishermen from Paschim Rajapur village such as Abdus Sobhan and Kabir Hawladar, said that the once fast-flowing Aruarber and Kharma canals were filled with silt about two decades ago. A

t that time, fishing boats and trawlers could no longer pass through the canals. They were forced to walk 8 to 10 kilometers to the Shela River to fish, risking their lives.

They added that now that the two canals have been re-excavated, tidal flow has resumed, allowing them to access the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans much more easily, as before.

Joyanta Pal, the newly appointed Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board in Bagerhat, said that under the Sundarbans Protection Project, the 8-kilometer Aruarber Canal and the 10-kilometer Kharma Canal in the Eastern Sundarbans were re-excavated at a cost of Tk 127.905 crore.

Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Eastern Sundarbans Division in Bagerhat, said that the silted Aruarber and Kharma canals were reopened on May 9 after re-excavation. He added that strong tidal currents are now flowing through the canals.

He also noted that the re-excavation has reduced the suffering of fishermen and fishing communities.

At the same time, it will help reduce the risk of wild animals entering nearby human settlements. In addition, the continuous flow of water is expected to significantly reduce the risk of fires in the Sundarbans.