A press conference titled “Canal Re-Excavation Program: Perspectives on Water Management, Climate Adaptation, and Spatial Planning” was held today, May 9, 2026 (Saturday) at 11:00 AM at the BIP Conference Hall located in the capital’s Planners Tower, under the initiative of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP). During the press conference, various opinions were highlighted regarding the importance of water management, climate adaptation, natural drainage preservation, and integrated spatial planning centered around the country’s canal re-excavation activities. Planner Dr. Muhammad Ariful Islam, President of BIP, chaired the event and presented the keynote paper. The event was moderated by BIP General Secretary, Planner Dr. Md. Mosleh Uddin Hasan. BIP Vice President, Planner Sheikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, and Joint Secretary, Planner Kazi Salman Hossain, were also present at the meeting.
While presenting the keynote paper at the press conference, BIP President Planner Dr. Muhammad Ariful Islam stated that the rivers, canals, beels (waterbodies), lakes, wetlands, and lowlands of Bangladesh are not merely water retention spaces; rather, they are crucial natural resources intrinsically connected to agriculture, fisheries, the environment, livelihoods, and climate resilience. He noted that in the current context, water management is not exclusively an engineering matter; it must be regarded as a critical Spatial Planning issue. In this regard, while the government’s “Canal Re-Excavation Program” is a timely and public-interest initiative, viewing it simply as an earth-cutting project will fail to achieve the desired long-term benefits. He further added that canal restoration activities must be integrated with the national waterbody plan, basin-based water management, natural drainage preservation, urban waterlogging mitigation, wetland and biodiversity protection, groundwater recharge, agriculture and fisheries development, waste management, climate adaptation, and the participation of local communities. Highlighting BIP’s stance, he said that the canal re-excavation program should be implemented not as an isolated project, but as part of an integrated spatial planning framework. He also emphasized that these activities must be aligned with the National Adaptation Plan (2023–2050), the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, and the Spatial Planning Framework. Expressing optimism, he stated that if existing limitations can be overcome, the re-excavation activities will yield sustainable long-term results. He urged the government to urgently incorporate the canal re-excavation program as a central component of national waterbody restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable spatial planning. At the same time, he mentioned that BIP stands fully prepared to provide comprehensive cooperation through technical assistance, policy advice, GIS and Remote Sensing-based analysis, stakeholder consultation, and the formulation of monitoring frameworks.
BIP Vice President, Planner Sheikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, stated that the canal re-excavation project is being considered one of the key political priorities of the current government, which is undoubtedly a timely initiative. He mentioned that Bangladesh is a riverine country; historically, the identity of rural Bengal was centered around rivers, canals, beels (waterbodies), and natural wetlands. However, over time, these waterbodies have now reached a critical condition. He attributed this crisis primarily to the failure in ensuring the effective and planned use of land. The indiscriminate filling of canals and beels to construct houses, markets, and other infrastructure in both urban and rural areas has led to the destruction of natural water reservoirs. He further noted that another significant reason for the reduced water flow in the country’s rivers and canals is the complexity of transboundary river management. By constructing dams upstream, neighboring countries are depriving Bangladesh of its fair share of water. As a result, rivers that once had flowing water even during the dry season are now almost entirely dry, except for a limited period during the monsoon. Additionally, the navigability of most rivers is declining due to the impacts of global climate change. He also pointed out that a sustainable solution to water management issues cannot be achieved by undertaking isolated canal re-excavation projects without integrating local, regional, and global realities. He added that sustainable development is impossible without the reorganization of the local government system. He further noted that, so far, no significant institutional innovation has been visible in the canal re-excavation project. The successful implementation of the project requires a shift in the working approach and effective coordination among the relevant institutions. He warned that if entities like the Water Development Board, LGED, and agricultural irrigation projects carry out canal re-excavation efforts separately, it will be difficult to achieve the desired outcomes. He also emphasized the critical importance of involving planners alongside other professionals in such large-scale projects.
BIP General Secretary, Planner Dr. Md. Mosleh Uddin Hasan, stated that the canal re-excavation program must be implemented as part of an integrated urban and environmental management system. He mentioned that at least seven other government ministries need to be involved in this initiative. He further emphasized that canal excavation must transcend being merely a profit-driven, project-based activity and instead become a part of long-term planning for environmental and urban protection. He demanded that those who have constructed residential buildings by filling up various canals in Dhaka be brought under the purview of the law. Additionally, he highlighted the urgency of involving the local community in canal re-excavation and conservation efforts. He noted that if the participation of local people can be ensured, it will be possible to achieve effective and sustainable results in protecting the canals, alleviating waterlogging, and conserving the urban environment.
Proposals by Bangladesh Institute of Planners:
A National Water Resources Plan should be formulated, where rivers, canals, wetlands, ponds, lowlands, and drainage pathways are mapped and classified in an integrated manner.
River basin-based planning must be adopted so that upstream-downstream relations, urban-rural linkages, and canal-drain-river connectivity are considered within a unified system.
Regular digital monitoring should be introduced using GIS, Remote Sensing, LiDAR, and field surveys to track encroachment, siltation, water flow, pollution, and wetland changes.
Canal and waterbody re-excavation programs must be mandatorily integrated with the Spatial Planning Framework, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, and the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050.
Alongside re-excavation, proper sewerage systems, STP/ETP facilities, solid waste management, and industrial waste discharge control measures must be implemented. Without stopping pollution, the benefits of excavation will not be sustainable.
Every project should include environmental assessments such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP), soil quality testing, designation of soil disposal zones, and evaluation of the beneficial use of excavated soil. The use and disposal of dredged soil must be determined scientifically.
Ecological buffer zones, native vegetation, fish migration routes, and biodiversity corridors should be ensured along canal banks. Canals should be viewed not only as drainage infrastructure but also as part of the biodiversity network.
Community-based management systems should be developed with the participation of farmers, fishers, local residents, city corporations/municipalities/union councils, and water user committees.
No re-excavation project should be declared complete without establishing a maintenance fund, assigning responsible institutions, conducting annual audits, and introducing a citizen reporting system. Professional planners should be involved in technical assistance, spatial planning review, and monitoring processes.
Strict legal action must be taken against encroachment, and local communities should be engaged not only as beneficiaries but also as active maintenance partners.
