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Groundwater Depletion with Expansion of Irrigation in BARInd Tract: a Case Study of Tanore Upazila

Md. Marufur Rahman
Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

A. Q. M. Mahbub
Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In this paper successive depletion of groundwater level with expansion of groundwater irrigation in Barind Tract has been discussed from mid 1960s to 2010 in the context of Tanore Upazila, which is located in severely drought prone area of northwest Bangladesh. After starting of groundwater irrigation in Bangladesh, it spread rapidly all over the country, and about 80% of agricultural land is now supplied irrigation from groundwater. Availability of irrigation in Barind Tract has revolutionized its agriculture, but groundwater level is successively falling all over the country due to excessive withdrawal, and this process is accelerating due to water withdrawal from major rivers by upstream countries. In northwestern part of Bangladesh groundwater depletion problem is severe because this part is free from seasonal flooding. Only source of recharging of groundwater aquifer in this area is rainfall, but rainfall is also lowest here among the country. In this context, this paper presents the change of groundwater level with the spreading of groundwater irri- gation in Barind Tract. Hydrograph analysis, groundwater level mapping, groundwater depletion rate calculation are done from groundwater level observation well data of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA). Climatic condition is analyzed by calculation of rainfall deviation from the data of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and interviews with farm- ers and experts of different branches are conducted to understand the nature of problems in the study area. Agricultural pattern, cropping intensity (262% in study area and national intensity is 180%), methods of cultivation, crop variety and yields all show a positive change after starting of groundwater irrigation in mid 1980s, but water level is continuously lowering at the rate of 1.37 ft/y in wet season and 0.72 ft/y in dry season. Water is the main input for agriculture but successive depletion of groundwater level can be a serious problem for water stressed Barind Tract. Crop diversification, artificial recharging, increasing dependency on surface water, increasing irrigation efficiency, rainwater harvesting etc., can be option for the area.

Keywords: Groundwater Depletion; Irrigation; Barind Tract; Tanore

Location: Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka

Start Date: 00-00-1966

End Date: 00-00-2010

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Groundwater

Objectives:

To study the depletion characteristics with the expansion of irrigation in barindtract of Tanore upazilla.

Methodology:

Secondary data is mainly used for this study. The study is based on groundwater monitoring piezometer data of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) from 1966-2010 and monitoring well of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority 1986-2010 (BMDA). Rainfall data is collected from Bangladesh Meteo- rological Department (BMD). Lithology of the study area is studied from borehole logs collected from BMDA. Fourteen piezometer data in and around Tanore Upa- zila are used for mapping of contour elevation of groundwater level of study area. Groundwater levels are referenced to a common datum (Public Works Datum, PWD) which was originally set to the mean sea level (msl) with a vertical error of ±0.45 m during the Great Trigonometric Survey in the Indian Subcontinent through- out the nineteenth century. Groundwater depletion rate is calculated from the data of BMDA and BWDB monitoring well. Mapping software ArcGIS 9.3.1 is used for mapping. Personal interview with different expert groups and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in the study area with the local people are conducted to understand the nature of the problem.

Source of Information: Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2012, 4, 567-575

Article Link (Online Journal): http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2012.48066

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Result showed that both maximum and minimum ground water levels of the study area are depleting. Average depletion rate of maximum water level 1.37 ft/y is much higher than average depletion rate of minimum water level, which is 0.72 ft/y. Agriculture is very important in the context of Bangladesh because to feed a huge number of population. Agricultural sector also provide employment to a huge number of unskilled and semi-skilled labors so in this context it is also important. Due to expansion of groundwater irrigation cropping intensity of the study area have crossed even national level, but it is also the prime reason for groundwater depletion of the study area. Intrusion of saline water is not an issue for the area which located in a distant location from the sea and for high thickness of clay layer, land subsidence risk is also comparatively low due to groundwater depletion. Excessive withdrawal is lowering water level in the area successively and surface water bodies can be severely af- fected by this process. Crop diversification from water consuming crop (paddy) to less water consuming crops (vegetables, fruits etc.), artificial recharging, increasing dependency on surface water, increasing irrigation efficiency including application of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method, rainwater harvesting etc, can be option for the study area.

Knowledge Management: Journal