Deepwater Rice - Brian Taylor

Deepwater Rice - scenes in Pabna and Bogra Districts, Bangladesh

BRRI cropping systems sites near Bera and Santhia were visited on 2 July and 21 October 1982. The beels are very large and flood from the local river system.

On 2 July, the only rainwater flood was in the deepest areas. Chillies were a significant winter crop and were being harvested. Irrigated boro was quite widespread effectively replacing DWR. Sugar is a major crop in unflooded areas.

Near Santhia, on 21 October 1982, possibly the largest single beel I saw anywhere. The deepest areas (dwr variety boron) are still green and nowhere near mature, whilst the intermediate fields (dwr variety digha are ready for harvest and the nearest, shallowest, fields have been started upon.
The previous view was taken from on top of the Land Rover, on this road. The cart is typical of the "North Bengal" area and the farmers are taking jute for sale.

The ferry Ghat at Nagarbari - hostelries for those waiting to cross
The western bank of the Jamuna

The full expanse of the Jamuna
Lifting water for dry season irrigation using dhon counterbalance "buckets" (January 1983)

Earlier, I illustrated the flatness of most of Bangladesh by referring to Parhapur - literally the "place of the hill". This, near Bogra, is where Somapuri Vihara is located. It is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries ever to be discovered south of the Himalayas. The remains of this huge monastery reflect the country's rich history, as it was completed in 810 AD.

Our first view of the "hill", in January 1983
At the site, one can see that the hill (now partially cleared) is a pyramid-like structure of clay bricks

The height is quite remarkable, especially as the lowest level remains buried

From the top one can see the ...
cells and other rooms for the monks

terracotta plaques decorate the walls on each level ...
in closer view

©2000 - Brian Taylor CBiol FIBiol FRES
11, Grazingfield, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K.
Visiting Academic in the Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham

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Near Santhia, on 21 October 1982, possibly the largest single beel I saw anywhere. The deepest areas (dwr variety boron) are still green and nowhere near mature, whilst the intermediate fields (dwr variety digha are ready for harvest and the nearest, shallowest, fields have been started upon.	The previous view was taken from on top of the Land Rover, on this road. The cart is typical of the "North Bengal" area and the farmers are taking jute for sale.

The ferry Ghat at Nagarbari - hostelries for those waiting to cross	The western bank of the Jamuna

The full expanse of the Jamuna	*Lifting water for dry season irrigation using dhon* counterbalance "buckets" (January 1983)**
Earlier, I illustrated the flatness of most of Bangladesh by referring to Parhapur - literally the "place of the hill". This, near Bogra, is where Somapuri Vihara is located. It is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries ever to be discovered south of the Himalayas. The remains of this huge monastery reflect the country's rich history, as it was completed in 810 AD.
Our first view of the "hill", in January 1983	At the site, one can see that the hill (now partially cleared) is a pyramid-like structure of clay bricks

The height is quite remarkable, especially as the lowest level remains buried

From the top one can see the ...	cells and other rooms for the monks

terracotta plaques decorate the walls on each level ...	in closer view