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Changes in Land Use Pattern: a Case Study on Nachole Upazilla, Chapai Nawabganj

M. R. Rahman
Institute of Environmental Science, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A case study on land use pattern of Nachole, Upazilla Chapai Nawabganj was done. It was observed from the study that there are many acts, laws, regulations to manage the land but most of these were prepared many years ago. At present the land use pattern has changed and population increased. Per capita share of land has decreased. The excessive and improper land use causes land degradation. The land degradation situation is going to be severe in year to come. The population of the country is much more than its affording capacity. The people need foods, shelters, goods and services from the limited land. The farmers are trying to produce more food from the limited land. They are using chemical fertilizers, insecticides, high yield variety seeds and other harmful things in agricultural land without considering its consequences on biodiversity and human health and its future. But there is not enough enforcement to stop or to reduce of these harmful activities. Though recent policies are emphasizing to reduce those chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural land but result is not satisfactory. Impact of excessive and improper land use, it is examined and found that agriculture production increased significantly but there are some adverse effects such as degradation and deforestation due to conversion of these lands into agriculture. The laws and acts are not being implemented properly. So preparing sustainable land management we have to implement effectively for better future.

Keywords: Agriculture, Land, Degradation, Polices

Location: Nachole , Chapai Nawabganj district.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Commodity: Land degradation

Objectives:

To find out the cause of land degradation due to the lack of government policy.
To mark the problems in land management.

Methodology:

Nachole Upazila (sub district) is located in the northern region of Bangladesh under Chapai Nawabganj district. This area is one of the most important Upazila’s of Barind Tract (alternately called the Varendra tract in English and Varendra Bhumi in Bangali, largest Pleistocene physiographic unit of the Bengal basin, covering an area of about 7,770 sq km). The data were collected on landuse patterns, socioeconomic, environmental condition and soil, land management system and land related acts, procedures and notices for Nachole. The primary data were collected on landuse survey, household of concerned research area, Local leaders like Sarder/Matber/Mondal (local leader), Ward commissioner, NGO’s (Non Government Organization), workers, related persons like Deputy Commissioner (DC), Additional DC (Revenue), Additional DC (Land) and Assistant Commissioner (AC) and town planners. The secondary data were collected from related documents published from Alberuni (2002), Bangladesh Population Census (1974, 1981, 1991, 2001), Annual Agriculture Report of Nachole (2005), BARC (1999), Census of Agriculture (1996), Census of Pakistan Population (1961), Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Soil Research Development Indicator, 1997, different books, journals, reports, records, publications, Dhaka Law Report (DLR), Land Management Manual’1991, Land Administration Manual (2003) and Land and environment related major circulars.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 2(2): 119 - 123, 2009 ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Per capita share of land has been half in 2001 where it was double in 1974. About 90% houses were kachha (raw soil made) before 1974 in Nachole, which were made with mud,straws, clays and bamboo. Housing and settlement, grave yards have been increased. Various trees’ garden and orchards have decreased. The land is being used much for non agricultural purpose. So, single cropped area, cultivable wastes have been decreased for various reasons.But now it is different, the people are building their houses with bricks, concrete and wood. Most of the settlements, institutions, infrastructures, shops, banks, insurance, and industries infrastructures have been increased without proper plan. Mainly the settlement infrastructures are increasing so rapidly towards the agricultural land.Increasing transport and communication towards agricultural land are also imposing excess pressure on agriculture .The sealing of agricultural land was 100 bighas (one bigha=1600 square yards or 0.1338 hectare or 0.3306 acre) according to the ordinance of 1947. It was sealed 60 bighas by the ordinance of 1987. But the sealing of non agricultural land in town area has not been fixed. People are using agricultural land in non agricultural purpose so the amount of non agricultural should be fixed and the land beyond this sealing should be distributed among the farmer. People buy agricultural land to build infrastructures. In this way the agricultural land is being turned into non-agricultural purpose. So it should be stopped sealing non agricultural land.

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