Rangamati, Apr 08 (V7N) – The Rangamati District unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has launched a significant initiative to re-excavate the Ganichhara Nala canal in the remote Farua Union of Bilaichhari Upazila, aiming to bolster the livelihoods of approximately 350 local families. The project seeks to revive a vital agricultural lifeline first established decades ago by former President Ziaur Rahman.

"Rangamati District BNP has undertaken a canal digging program to ensure the livelihood of about 350 families in the remote Farua Union of Bilaichhari Upazila of Rangamati. The initiative to dig the approximately three and a half kilometer long Ganichhara Nala canal has been taken under the supervision of Rangamati District BNP," a BNP district official confirmed.

The inauguration of the re-excavation work on the approximately three and a half kilometer long Ganichhara Nala canal took place on Tuesday, following a site visit and discussions with local residents by Rangamati District BNP President Dipan Talukder Dipu and District BNP General Secretary Advocate Mamunur Rashid Mamun.

"Rangamati District BNP President Dipan Talukder Dipu and District BNP General Secretary Advocate Mamunur Rashid Mamun inaugurated the excavation work of the well-known Ganichhara Nala canal in Farua on Tuesday after visiting the area and exchanging views with local residents," a BNP spokesperson stated.

In 1980, the then President Ziaur Rahman, upon learning about the hardships faced by the residents of Farua through the local army, personally visited the remote area. With a vision of agricultural transformation, he initiated the digging of canals, creating around 350 acres of cropland to alleviate the region's food crisis. This endeavor led to a significant boost in agricultural production and spurred a green revolution in the remote hills.

"In 1980, the then President Ziaur Rahman, after learning about the hardships of the people of Farua through the local army, went to the remote Farua with the intention of bringing about an agricultural revolution and dug canals and created about 350 acres of cropland to alleviate the food crisis of the hilly residents there. This gave the people of Farua the opportunity to overcome their food crisis and produce crops on a large scale. Which accelerated the green revolution in the remote hills," a local historian recounted.

However, subsequent governments allegedly neglected development in Farua for nearly two decades due to political reasons, leading to the deterioration of these vital canals. Recognizing the continued importance of these waterways, the Rangamati District BNP decided to undertake the re-excavation of the Ganichhara canal.

"Later, due to political vendetta, the then government did not touch development in Farua for the past two decades. Recently, after learning about the matter, the Rangamati District BNP took the initiative to excavate the Gani Canal of Farua, said the leaders of the district BNP," a district BNP leader explained.

The re-excavation work, which commenced on Tuesday (April 8), marks a significant effort to restore a project deeply intertwined with the memory of former President Ziaur Rahman, 45 years after its initial creation.

"In continuation of that, on Tuesday (April 8), after a long 45 years, the re-excavation work of the Gani Canal, which is intertwined with the memory of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, was inaugurated," the BNP announced.

The inauguration event was attended by a number of prominent Rangamati District BNP leaders and local BNP officials from Bilaichhari and Farua Unions.

"At this time, Rangamati District BNP Vice President Babul Ali, Nizam Uddin, Abdul Mannan, Organizing Secretary Saiful Islam Shakil, Senior Joint Secretary Ali Babar, Joint Secretary SM Shafiul Azam, Shafiqul Islam Chowdhury, Debjyati Chakma, Organizing Secretary Shashat Chakma Rinku, District Jubo Dal Acting President Nurunnabi, District Volunteer Dal Convener Jahangir Alam Talukder, District JASAS President Kamal Hossain, Krishak Dal President Alkapriya Rinku, General Secretary Rabiul Islam Bablu, JASAS Secretary Pathan Chakma, Bilaichhari Kaptai Upazila BNP President Lokman Hossain, Bilaichhari BNP President Abdus Salam Fakir, Former Chairman of Farua Union Tejendra Lal Tanchangya, Secretary Zafar Ahmed, Rajasthali BNP Organizer Md. Babul, Farua Union BNP President Shamshu Tanchangya, leaders of the district BNP's affiliated organizations, and leaders of Farua Union BNP and affiliated organizations were present," an event attendee confirmed.

Local residents expressed their gratitude for the initiative, recalling the positive impact of President Ziaur Rahman's original canal project on their livelihoods and agricultural productivity. Former Chairman of Farua Union Parishad, Tejendra Lal Tanchangya, emphasized that the people of Farua still remember the transformative changes brought about by Zia's pro-agriculture policies.

"Meanwhile, local residents expressed their feelings and said that the people of Farua are still enjoying the fruits of the agricultural revolution that was initiated by the sincerity of martyr President Ziaur Rahman during his lifetime by digging canals to improve the quality of life of the people of Farua. Former chairman of Farua Union Parishad, Tejendra Lal Tanchangya, also said that the people of Farua still remember the radical changes that Zia, who was friendly to agriculture and farmers, brought to the economy of the remote hills through the Green Revolution," a local resident shared.

The BNP's initiative to re-excavate the Ganichhara canal is seen as a significant step towards supporting the agricultural community in this remote region and reviving a project that holds historical and economic importance for the area.

END/AMR/RH/