Protecting existing rivers and canals ensures year-round irrigation water: Experts | District

RAJSHAHI, Sept 7, 2025 (BSS)- Experts unequivocally called for protecting existing rivers and canals as a crucial means of ensuring year-round irrigation water coupled with reducing the gradually increasing pressure on groundwater resources. Simultaneously, implementing strategies for artificial groundwater recharge and managed aquifer recharge can help to replenish and maintain the declining groundwater levels. Talking to BSS, Prof Mijanur Rahman of the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Rajshahi University (RU) said this is the right time for encouraging farmers to cultivate less water-intensive indigenous crops like wheat, maize, lentils, sesame, and chickpea instead of water-heavy Boro paddy. He observed that the drought caused by climate change has been posing a serious threat to agriculture and sustainable water management...