Restoration of Gorgoria Lake in the Madhupur forest has begun after decades of neglect, with officials aiming to address water shortages for wildlife and revive biodiversity.
The dredging and renovation work is now nearing completion, though concerns have emerged among a section of the indigenous community over potential impacts on upstream agricultural land.
The Forest Department formally launched the re-excavation on 7 February under the Sal Forest Restoration Project in the Madhupur National Park range.
Since the work began, officials say a section of the local indigenous community has spread misleading information, which briefly disrupted progress.
The department maintains the claims are intentional and baseless.
Madhupur forest spans 45,565.18 acres and supports species including spotted deer, barking deer, capped langurs and a wide range of wildlife.
Gorgoria Lake, originally excavated around 1970, was designed to provide a reliable water source for these animals.
However, no dredging or maintenance was carried out for nearly 55 years, causing heavy siltation and reducing water levels to near zero during the dry season.
As a result, wildlife and birds have faced acute water shortages.
The current project seeks to restore year-round water availability, conserve wetland ecosystems and aquatic life, and create a water source for firefighting during the dry season.
It is also expected to support irrigation needs for indigenous communities in nearby Gaira village.
The Tangail Forest Department said the lake’s depth is being increased to ensure a steady supply of water throughout the year.
Excavated soil is being deposited on abandoned land at least half a kilometre away from agricultural fields to avoid damage.
Deputy Range Officer of the National Park Range Mosharraf Hossain said the soil is being handled carefully to prevent any harm to nearby farmland.
Joyenshahi Indigenous Development Council President Eugene Nokrek said large areas of paddy land belonging to indigenous communities lie upstream of the lake.
He said a drainage canal excavated in 1977 near the lake is now non-functional and needs to be cleared to prevent potential damage to agricultural land.
He also said the restoration would help ensure safe drinking water for wildlife.
The work was inaugurated on 7 February by Divisional Forest Officer Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, alongside local representatives including Eugene Nokrek and Madhupur National Park Co-management Committee President Lal Mia.
Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain said the restored lake would play a key role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting wildlife survival in the Madhupur forest.
