Chalan Beel

Chalan Beel is a series of wetlands connected by channels of water in the lower Altrai basin. During the rainy season, these wetlands become a single body of water with dense aquatic vegetation supporting diverse wildlife. The banks of Chalan Beel are covered in a variety of fauna, which is inhabited by at least twenty-seven species of mammals, and thirty-four species of reptiles, with amphibians  including seven species of frogs and toads. Reptiles include turtles, tortoises, lizards and a number of snake species. Chalan Beel is an extensive lowland  area in the lower Atrai basin, and spreads across singra and Gurudaspur thana on Natore, chatmohor of pabna and ullahpara, Raiganag and Tarash Upazilas of Shirajgong. It consists of a series of beels connected to one another by various channels to from a continuous water body during the rainy season. International research has revealed that wetlands around the world serve a critical role in maintaining biodiversity, contributing to the overall health of the planet, Unfortunately, lack of knowledge regarding the role of wetlands has led to human encroaching on these areas in one way or another. The major problem facing Chalan Beel is the silt carried by the more than forty rivers that empty into it. While it is estimated that Chalan Beel initially covered an area of more than 1000 square kilometers, a survey in 1909 noted that it had been reduced to 368 square kilometers,  and a more recent survey noted that it had shrunk to a mere 26 square kilometers. Developments around the rivers that empty into Chalan Beel, such as the construction of the east Bengal railway in the early1900s and numerous dams, roads and railways since then,have caused the rivers to redirect and gather silt along the way. Although the silt provides fertile soil for agriculture, taking over wetlands for agriculture and habitation has taken away the livelihood of those who fishes for a living, and has impacted negatively on the environment in a number of ways.