Changes in Socio-economic and Environmental Situations in the Dalia Irrigation Project Area During 2000-2007: Policy Recommendations

This paper addresses the socio-economic conditions and problems faced by farmers in the Dalia Irrigation Project area in the districts of Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat. Although the purpose of this huge project was to use the Teesta River water for irrigation in this region, farmers are still deprived of irrigation water in the dry season as there is insufficient water in the Teesta at Dalia point owing to the withdrawal of water at upstream Gazoldoba, in India. Research has been conducted on the optimal use of Teesta water for the basin as a whole and several recommendations have been made. Nevertheless, due to indifference of the Bangladesh authority and lack of interest of their counterpart (India), the Joint River Commission (JRC) could not make any effective/concrete decision regarding use of the Teesta water. This paper reflects the findings of a sample survey carried out in the Dalia Irrigation Project area in 2000 and another follow-up survey in 2007 to show the changes in socio-economic and environmental situation. Moreover, recommendations made in earlier studies have been highlighted and reasons why these recommendations were not implemented have been pointed out.