Anjali Rani Mondol lives in Hetalbunia village under Lokkhikhola union, Paikgacha Upazilla of Shatkhira district. Her husband’s name is Proshanto Kumar Mondol and they have three children. Proshanto Kumar Mondol is an electrician and Anjali Rani Mondol is a day labourer. They have only thirty-three decimal lands and due to the presence of high salinity in water and soil, it is nearly impossible for them to cultivate any crops except fish. She has an aged mother, and her three kids are studying at different levels in schools. So, they were passing their days in hardship.

Her house is situated on the bank of Kewratola Kamakkhi Khal and the south part of this canal is connected to Minhaj River and the east part is connected to Kopotakkho River. Kewratola Kamakkhi Khal is a 3-kilometre-long canal and there are 5 villages, 489 households, 921 farmers and a total of 66000 decimal lands in the catchment area. The canal was dead for a long period due to excessive siltation and lack of proper maintenance.

In these circumstances, the canal overflooded during monsoons and submerged the surrounding area. Most of the cultivable land and roads stayed underwater for nearly three months. For women, it was difficult for them to collect pure drinking water. According to the information, there are 70 households in these three Hetalbunia, Kewratola Uttar, and Kewratola Dokkhin villages, last year nearly 30 households drowned in floods and most of their fish were washed away with water in these three villages.

With the support of Solidaridad Network Asia, Uttaran re-excavated this canal early in 2023. After getting advanced water the farmers of the catchment area now can cultivate fish and for proper drainage, they can now prevent the fish from being washed with water. Besides, they are getting extra money by selling fish, crabs, and eel caught from the canal; after meeting their regular needs. Moreover, due to the drainage of excess water through the canal during the rainy season, the roads of our village are now excellent, and there is no further difficulty in transportation.

Anjali Rani Mondol said “For the last 4-5 years, it was not possible to cultivate fish in the pond/ gher, due to the waterlog and sudden flood after heavy rainfall. Because of heavy rains, the ponds/gher got flooded as a result the fish came out of the pond/gher, the village roads sank, our children did not go to school, and we had many difficulties in our transportation. So, heartiest greetings to Uttaran & Solidaridad Network Asia on behalf of the villagers of Hetalbunia for re-excavating this canal and bringing economic freedom into our lives.”