Bangladesh Declares Water Crisis in Barind Tract, Directs Farmers to Reduce Irrigation
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The Bangladeshi government has declared 25 subdistricts in the northwestern Barind Tract as water crisis-prone areas due to rapidly depleting groundwater. It has directed farmers to immediately reduce cultivation of a water-intensive rice variety and has ordered the state irrigation authority to stop providing water. A verbal directive has allowed irrigation to continue temporarily while a formal decision is pending.
Facts First
- 25 subdistricts in Bangladesh's Barind Tract declared water crisis-prone based on a suggestion from the national water planning organization.
- Farmers directed to reduce cultivation of high irrigation-intensive boro rice to curb groundwater depletion.
- State irrigation authority BMDA ordered to stop providing water to over half a million hectares of farmland.
- A temporary verbal directive allows irrigation to continue until a formal decision is made with the Water Resources Ministry.
- The Barind Tract is the most drought-affected zone in the country due to lesser rainfall, according to a 2024 study.
What Happened
In December 2025, the Bangladeshi government declared 25 subdistricts in the northwestern Barind Tract as water crisis-prone areas. This declaration was based on a suggestion from the Bangladesh Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO) to take measures to curb groundwater depletion. The government issued a circular directing farmers to immediately reduce cultivation of the high irrigation-intensive rice variety known as boro. It also directed the state-owned Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) to stop providing irrigation. Md Abul Kasem, the additional chief engineer of BMDA, stated that the government provided a verbal direction to continue irrigation until a formal decision is made following discussions with the Water Resources Ministry.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a farmer in the Barind Tract, this directive may require you to change your primary crop, which could affect your income and food security. For the wider region, reducing irrigation-intensive farming is a critical step to preserve the groundwater table, which supplies drinking water and supports agriculture for millions. The continued operation of BMDA's approximately 16,000 deep tube wells under a temporary directive provides a short window to adjust, but a long-term shift in farming practices appears likely to be necessary.
What's Next
A formal decision on irrigation policy is expected following discussions between the BMDA and the Ministry of Water Resources. The government's measures could lead to a significant reduction in boro rice production in the affected areas, which may require adjustments in national food supply chains. The success of these conservation efforts may depend on providing farmers with viable, less water-intensive alternatives and support during the transition.