Kobadak River Sedimentation of Bangladesh : An Environmental Assessment

The south-west region of Bangladesh has been experiencing water-logging at different sites where the polders have been constructed. The Kobadak River was connected with Mathabhanga in early 1970s, after getting cut off with its upstream flow from Mathabhanga River; the Kobadak had become tidally dominated river by its downstream. After being cut off from the upstream fresh water flow source, sedimentation rate became high over the years. Kobadak River adjacent people have been experiencing a great deal of environment and social losses due to the water-logging from the year 2000. The water-logging problem at the area of Jhikargacha, Manirampur,Keshabpur upazila of Jessore district and Kalaroa and Tala upazila of Satkhira district have been irritating over the years. The environmental components are affected adversely as the water quality degrades, wetland ecosystem affected by the stagnancy of water,terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity reduced due to the stagnancy of water for 4/5 months. Water on a vast swath of land and homesteads poses a serious threat to livelihood and environment and many of the vegetations and wildlife have become extinct due water-logging problem since 80s.