ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF MAJOR IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The present study was under taken in five major irrigation projects of Bangladesh named i) Teesta Irrigation Project, (TIP) Rangpur—Nilphamari, ii) Ganges and Kobadak Project (G—-K) Kushtia, iii) Meghna Dhonagoda Irrigation Project (MDIP) in Chandpur, iv) Barind Multi Purpose Development Authority (BMDA) Birgonj in Dinajpur and v) Rubber Dam Project Chirrirbondor in Dinajpur during 26 February to 12 July,2006 data were collected through interview from 1230 beneficiaries who were residents of the study area. Four characteristics of the respondents were selected as variable. Correlation analysis indicated significant results for age, education, residential experience and occupation. Significant responses were observed to the found against respective question. Majority percent of young aged and secondary level of educational qualified respondents having high residential experience and related to agriculture work responded strongly. It was found that in all the irrigation projects crop yield, was increased. On the other hand every project has some adverse effects which causes low cropping intensity, water pollution, severity of water borne diseases and reduced domestic animals but in most cases increased fish resources. Although most of the irrigation projects were implemented mainly for irrigation purpose to raise crop yield, but the adverse effects such as shrinkage of cropping intensity, increased of mosquitoes and water borne diseases increased insects pests, water logging, reduced in soil fertility, water pollution etc. needs to be addressed through long term study.