Abstract:
Rivers have been the major sources of fish production, livelihood resources, biodiversity,
etc., in Bangladesh from time immemorial. Siltation is one of the major problems in the
river system of Bangladesh. The River Kopotaksha was one of the main arteries of the
water resources system located in the South-Western region of Bangladesh. This research
explains a tragic story caused by siltation induced physical change and associated socioeconomic
impact of the Kopotaksha River.
A study has been carried out in three villages (Chakla, Vorotpur, and Kismotchakla) of
Monirampur Thana of Jessore District and two villages (Pakuria and Diara mathpara) of
Kalaroa Thana of Satkhira District, Bangladesh to find out the overall situation.
Necessary data were collected through direct observation, questionnaire survey,
application of PRA tools and analysis of secondary data. The result of the study reveals
that adverse impact of coastal embankment project, low flow due to Farakka barrage, local
obstacles, high salinity, growth of profuse water hyacinth, etc., in the river facilitated
deposition of sediment in the river and gradual siltation created a hump on the riverbed.
During the period 1994-2001 the cross-sectional area, width, average depth and
conveyance capacity of the river decreased up to 95, 58, 88 and 99 percent, respectively,
along the river reach, which deteriorated the drainage capacity of the river and created
severe water logging.
With repeated failure in crop production, the socioeconomic system of the area began to
collapse. People lost their land under water and majority of the agro-based community
became landless and financially shattered. Most of the people turned from agricultural to
non-agricultural profession. The average income decreased by 15% and expenditure
increased by 14% as they have to spend excess money for renovation or construction of
homestead, buy fuel for cooking, medicine for diseases, fodder for livestock, etc., and for
this they have to take loan at a high rate of interest. Different types of social problem are
also emerging i.e., social crime, social instability, early marriage, migration, etc., which
weaken the social relationship. People faced different diseases as the water quality
degraded, latrines were damaged and the distance to the source of suitable water increased.
Water logging appears to be a rather ‘new phenomenon’ and there is no permanent
solution to reduce such impact has been adequately addressed. Now the local people try to
struggle and adapt with alternative option for income, living, cooking, communication,
water use, etc. In the absence of a long-term solution to the problems, short-term
adaptation measures could have been designed. Illegal ponds, ghers, obstacles should be
removed or developed in a systematic way which can not disturb the natural condition of
the river. On the other hand, creation of job opportunity will solve the socio-economic
problems in the study area.
