Rivers of Kurigram
A Comprehensive Study of Environmental Significance, Socio-Economic Impact, and Challenges
Kurigram
District—often referred to as Nodir Zila or the “District of
Rivers”—offers a compelling illustration of how fluvial systems shape both
human settlements and ecological landscapes. Situated in the Rangpur Division
of northern Bangladesh, this low-lying floodplain is interwoven with an
intricate river network dominated by the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla,
Dudhkumar, and Phulkumar rivers. These rivers act as lifelines for the
district’s economy, culture, and ecology, while simultaneously presenting
formidable risks in the form of seasonal flooding, riverbank erosion, and
climate vulnerability.
This
comprehensive study seeks to explore Kurigram’s river systems from a
multidimensional perspective, encompassing their physical geography, ecological
functions, socio-economic significance, and the environmental challenges they
pose. The analysis concludes with integrated recommendations aimed at fostering
sustainable river management and climate resilience.
The
primary objectives of this study are to:
- Identify and characterize the
major river systems of Kurigram.
- Evaluate their ecological
functions and biodiversity importance.
- Assess their socio-economic
contributions to the district.
- Analyze the key environmental
challenges, especially floods and erosion.
- Propose evidence-based
strategies for sustainable management and climate adaptation.
3. Geographical Overview of
Kurigram's Rivers
Kurigram
lies between latitudes 25°23′ and 26°14′ N and longitudes 89°27′ and 89°54′ E,
spanning an area of approximately 2,296 km². The district is part of the
greater Brahmaputra floodplain and features a predominantly flat, alluvial
terrain with elevations ranging from 10 to 40 meters above sea level. The
region experiences a humid subtropical climate, receiving over 2,500 mm of
annual rainfall, concentrated mainly during the June–September monsoon period
(BWDB, 2020).
Kurigram’s
hydrography is shaped by five primary rivers, each contributing to the
district’s ecology and livelihoods in distinct ways.
3.2.1 Brahmaputra-Jamuna River
- Source: Angsi Glacier, Tibet
- Total Length: 2,900 km
- Segment in Kurigram: ~120 km along the eastern boundary
- Average Width: 3–15 km (widest during monsoon)
- Discharge Range: 10,000–70,000 m³/s (seasonal variation)
- Notable Features: Highly braided, carries a sediment load of
approximately 1.8 billion tons annually, extensive char formation.
- Source: Pahunri Glacier, Sikkim
- Total Length: 315 km
- Segment in Kurigram: ~65 km
- Average Width: 1–3 km
- Discharge: 500–5,000 m³/s (regulated by upstream barrages)
- Significance: Crucial for irrigation, involved in transboundary
water management disputes.
3.2.3 Dharla River
- Source: Himalayan Foothills
- Segment in Kurigram: ~55 km
- Average Width: 0.5–1.5 km
- Notable Features: Stable banks, key site for sand extraction.
- Type: Distributary of the Brahmaputra
- Total Length: 80 km
- Segment in Kurigram: ~50 km
- Notable Features: Meandering nature, vital for char agriculture.
3.2.5 Phulkumar River
- Type: Branch of the Brahmaputra
- Total Length: 60 km
- Segment in Kurigram: ~40 km
- Significance: Supports local irrigation and inland water transport.
Table
1: Comparative River Lengths in Kurigram
|
River |
Total
Length (km) |
Kurigram
Segment (km) |
Percentage
in Kurigram (%) |
|
Brahmaputra |
2,900 |
120 |
4% |
|
Teesta |
315 |
65 |
21% |
|
Dharla |
150 |
55 |
37% |
|
Dudhkumar |
80 |
50 |
63% |
|
Phulkumar |
60 |
40 |
67% |
Kurigram’s
river systems serve as biodiversity corridors, hosting diverse aquatic and
riparian habitats.
- Aquatic Fauna: Over 143 freshwater fish species have been
documented, including economically significant species such as Hilsa (Tenualosa
ilisha), Rui (Labeo rohita), and Pangasius (Pangasius
pangasius). Endangered species like the Golden Mahseer (Tor
putitora) and the South Asian River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
have also been observed (Hossain & Rahman, 2018).
- Avifauna: The Brahmaputra charlands are designated as Important
Bird Areas, hosting over 62 resident and migratory bird species (IUCN,
2022).
- Riparian Flora: The riverbanks support pioneer species like Ipomoea
fistulosa and Saccharum spontaneum, along with flood-tolerant
trees such as Barringtonia acutangula (Hijol) and Pongamia
pinnata (Koroch).
Kurigram’s
rivers provide a range of ecosystem services:
- Regulating Services: Annual sediment deposition enriches floodplain
fertility by 15–20 cm; char vegetation sequesters an estimated 2.3 tons of
carbon per hectare annually.
- Provisioning Services: River fisheries contribute approximately 85% of the
district’s animal protein intake, and irrigation supports over 68,000 hectares
of cropland (DAE, 2021).
- Kharif Season: Cultivation of broadcast Aman rice varieties adapted
to flood conditions.
- Rabi Season: Teesta-fed irrigation enables cultivation of Boro
rice, wheat, and pulses.
- Char Agriculture: Approximately 23% of the district’s agriculture takes
place on char lands (BBS, 2022), highlighting their significance in
food security.
- Approximately 45,000
individuals are directly employed in fisheries.
- Annual fish production stands
at 38,500 metric tons, contributing BDT 3.2 billion to the local economy
(DoF, 2021).
- A total of 320 km of navigable
waterways link 42 river-based unions.
- Inland water transport accounts
for roughly 65% of the district’s bulk cargo movement.
6. Challenges and Vulnerabilities
|
Year |
Area
Flooded (km²) |
Affected
Population |
Crop
Loss (MT) |
|
2022 |
1,150 |
980,000 |
215,000 |
|
2020 |
1,420 |
1.1 million |
285,000 |
|
2017 |
1,680 |
1.3
million |
320,000 |
6.2
Riverbank Erosion
- Estimated annual land loss:
2,500 hectares (CEGIS, 2021)
- Yearly displacement:
15,000–30,000 individuals
- Economic damage: BDT 5.8
billion annually (World Bank, 2023)
7. Mitigation and Adaptation
Strategies
7.1 Integrated Flood Management
Structural
Measures:
- 57 km of reinforced embankments
constructed
- River training structures such
as groynes and spurs deployed
Non-Structural
Measures:
- Community-based flood
forecasting and early warning systems
- Construction of elevated,
flood-resistant homes
7.2 Climate Adaptation Strategies
- Promotion of floating
agriculture, benefiting 1,200 households
- Dissemination of drought- and
flood-tolerant crop varieties (e.g., BRRI dhan71, BRRI dhan75)
- Implementation of char
land afforestation for erosion control
Case Study 1: Community-Based Char
Land Adaptation in Chilmari Upazila
In
Chilmari, one of the most erosion-prone areas of Kurigram, the NGO Practical
Action implemented a community-based char resilience program from 2018–2021.
Key interventions included:
- Construction of floating
vegetable gardens during the monsoon season.
- Training on flood-resilient
housing using local bamboo and elevated plinths.
- Establishment of early warning
dissemination centers operated by women’s groups.
Outcome: Households in the pilot area reported a 30% reduction in
income loss during the 2020 floods and increased food security due to
year-round crop rotation.
Case Study
2: Teesta Water Sharing Dispute and Kurigram’s Irrigation Deficit
Kurigram
has been a downstream victim of upstream water withdrawal by India at the
Gajoldoba Barrage. During the dry season (December–March), the Teesta’s flow
drops below 500 m³/s, far short of the 1,500 m³/s needed for irrigation.
Impact:
- Boro rice cultivation area
dropped by 18% in Ulipur and Rajarhat upazilas in 2021.
- Conflicts over pump-based
irrigation intensified among farmers.
- Groundwater depletion increased
due to higher reliance on deep tube wells.
- Strengthen Char Infrastructure: Build elevated cyclone/flood shelters accessible to
isolated char communities.
- Localized Erosion Monitoring: Use community-driven GIS and drones for real-time
monitoring of riverbank shifts.
- Fisheries Co-Management: Legalize and empower fisher cooperatives to manage
fish sanctuaries and prevent overfishing.
- Transboundary Water Governance: Form a sub-basin Teesta-Brahmaputra River Commission
involving Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, and China.
- River Restoration Projects: Launch pilot river rejuvenation projects modeled on
India’s Namami Gange initiative but tailored to Kurigram’s ecological and
social context.
- Climate-Resilient Master Plan: Integrate Kurigram into Bangladesh’s Delta Plan 2100
with a focus on green embankments, floodplain zoning, and sustainable
livelihoods.
- Establish a Kurigram River
Authority under the Ministry of Water Resources with local
representation to coordinate erosion control, embankment design, and water
resource development.
10. Glossary
of Key Terms
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Char |
Sediment-based temporary landmass formed
within a river channel or along its banks. Often inhabited and cultivated. |
|
River Training |
Engineering
interventions such as spurs or embankments used to control river flow and
reduce erosion. |
|
Floodplain |
Flat area near a river that periodically
floods, often fertile and used for agriculture. |
|
Ecosystem Services |
Benefits
humans obtain from ecosystems, such as food, water purification, and climate
regulation. |
|
Transboundary Waters |
Rivers or water bodies that cross or
demarcate political borders, requiring shared governance. |
|
Groynes |
Hydraulic
structures built perpendicular to riverbanks to protect against erosion and
guide river flow. |
|
Boro Rice |
A rice crop grown in the dry season using
irrigation, especially reliant on river-fed water sources. |
|
Riverbank Erosion |
Loss
of land along riverbanks due to the natural movement of water, often causing displacement. |
|
Floating Agriculture |
Cultivation of crops on floating beds made
of aquatic plants, common in flood-prone regions. |
Conclusion
The
rivers of Kurigram represent a complex interplay of opportunity and
vulnerability. Their ecological and socio-economic value cannot be overstated,
yet the increasing threats posed by climate change and unsustainable
development practices necessitate urgent attention. Effective management must
prioritize:
- Cross-border water-sharing
agreements
- Nature-based solutions and
ecosystem restoration
- Investment in climate-resilient
infrastructure
- Empowerment of river-dependent
communities through inclusive planning
Only
through a multidisciplinary, inclusive approach can the future of Kurigram’s
rivers—and those who depend on them—be secured.
- Bangladesh Bureau of
Statistics. (2022). District Statistics 2021: Kurigram. Government
of Bangladesh.
- Center for Environmental and
Geographic Information Services (CEGIS). (2021). River Erosion
Monitoring Report.
- Department of Fisheries (DoF).
(2021). Annual Fisheries Report.
- Department of Agricultural
Extension (DAE). (2021). Irrigation Survey Report.
- Hossain, M. A., & Rahman,
M. M. (2018). Freshwater Biodiversity of Northern Bangladesh.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (2022). Bird Conservation Assessment Report.
- World Bank. (2023). Economic
Impact of Climate Risks in Northern Bangladesh.
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