Eye-soothing paddy fields, left, after re-excavation of Teka and Sree rivers in Abhoynagar upazila, and fallow lands with stagnant water in Beel Kadaria in the same upazila. Photo: STAR

Life has returned to normal in about 100 villages in three upazilas of Jessore after 18 years.

With a bumper Boro in sight, farmers are preparing for a good harvest, children going to schools and all others are alive with their professions.

This was not seen in Bhabadah areas in last 18 years as water-logging kept lands uncultivated in Abhoynagar, Monirumpur and Keshobpur upazilas, stopped livelihood and created a sustained misery for all.

Now, people are all praise for the Army of Jessore cantonment who removed the water-logging and made about 16,000 hectares cultivable in two years.

According to Avoynagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Moniruzzaman, about 80,000 tonnes of paddy will be produced in the lands brought under Boro cultivation.

As all projects of Water Development Board (WDB) failed and political leaders flouted their promises, the gigantic task of removing the stagnant water from marshy lands was vested with 55 Bengal Regiment of Jessore cantonment.

Numerous protests and demonstrations were staged over the years but nothing came about. Seven people were killed, demanding redress to their sufferings.

In 2006-07 financial year, a five-year project was undertaken involving Tk 69. 58 crore, promised by Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In October 10, 2006, the task was given to the army.

With the help of local people and assistance from Asian development Bank, the army re-excavated some canals and small tributaries of Teka and Sree rivers, graining out the water to Shibsha river.

They re-excavated the canals from Boyer Ghat in Paira union in Abhoynagar upazila up to Shologathia union in Dumuria upazila, draining out the water into Shibsha river in Khulna.

Part of the re-excavation work was done in 2006-07 financial year at a cost of Tk 8. 47 crore, bringing 6,200 hectares under cultivation. More 9,500 hectares were brought under cultivation at a cost of Tk 11.25 crore in the last dry season by re-excavating canals.

The re-excavation project will continue till 2011 and the areas including Amdanga areas will be made suitable for cultivation. Silt will be removed from beds of Harihara, Buri and Bhadra rivers and 8 damps and embankments will be built for a long term solution to the problem in Bhabadah areas, official sources and locals told this correspondent during a recent visit.

Most of the villagers in Abhoynagar, Monirampur and part of Keshobpur upazila have been benefited after re-excavation of Teka and Sree riverbeds, locals said. Waters of 27 water bodies in the areas pass through Teka and Sree rivers.

Bhabadah College principal Abdul Motleb Sardar said all have been benefited. Students can move about without boats now.

More re-excavation is needed as many areas in Abhoynagar and Monirampur upazilas are still under water and people will be in great misery when monsoon starts.

Paira Union Parishad chairman Babu Bishnu Pada Datta said the problem is yet to be removed from about 15 villages in Abhoynagar and Monirampur upazilas as waters of Bilkadaria and Bilbakar water bodies does not recede due to deposit of silt in parts of Teka and Sree rivers.

Contacted, Md. Abdul Mozid Mollah, chief Engineer of Jessore WDB said, the problem will be removed from the whole area by removing silt from Teka and Sree rivers during the project period which will end 2011.