Detection, monitoring and management of small water bodies:: A case study of Shahjadpur Thana, Sirajgonj district, Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a low-lying flood prone deltaic plain. Excavations are needed to create raised land for safe flood-free homesteads and water bodies for irrigation, and these result in the creation of doba, pukur, dighi and jola. All of these types of small water bodies are almost equally distributed all over the country, except for the heel, which is a natural, saucer shaped depression. For every eight people there is approximately an acre of small water bodies, which range in size from 25-400 sq.m. (doba), 150-1000 sq.m. (pukur), >750 sq.m. (dighi), >2000 sq.m. (jola) and >1000 sq.m. (heel). These small water bodies are commonly used for drinking, bathing and washing, fisheries and aquaculture, duck raising, irrigation, cattle feeding and washing. Despite the importance of small water bodies to the local economy there is no up to date inventory. For this purpose, in my research I have employed integrated participatory remote sensing, GIS and socio-cultural approaches. Although these have not been used before in Bangladesh, 1 argue that they are ideal for effective resource management and sustainable development planning. This research investigated the historical development of the present spatial distribution and use patterns of SWB using Remote Sensing and GIS. This was at a regional scale in four mouzas of Shahjadpur Thana. The data sources were topographical maps, aerial photographs, satellite images, agricultural census data, in-depth questionnaire, focus group meetings and interviewing key informants. An integrated RS-GIS and social sciences methodology was employed to produce maps of change and overlays of the socio-cultural factors involved. Results show that the doba, pukur and dighi, when these are not obstructed by surrounding vegetation, can be detected easily in high resolution panchromatic CORONA satellite photography, IRS-ID Panchromatic image and aerial photography. Comparatively large pukurs, dighis and all jo las and heels are detected in all other optical sensors and the SIR-C radar imagery. Multi-temporal images are helpful for identifying the different types of small water bodies as well separating those from other seasonal large water bodies and flooded areas. It is hoped that the proposed computer assisted participatory management system, including some locally specific guidelines, may be applicable for the planning of other thanas (total 490) in Bangladesh. The proposed management system will facilitate the integration of local planning with the national level planning process, which has not been possible hitherto