Published: 5 June 2025 | Occasion: World Climate Day
Title: Commodification and Marketization of Water: The Exploration of the Unheard Cries in the Barind Tracts of Bangladesh
Authors: Dr. Sazzadul Bari, Muhammad Mahmudur Rahman, and James Soren
Publisher: Action and Light, Joypurhat, Bangladesh
On the occasion of World Climate Day 2025, Action and Light, a non-governmental, research-based volunteer organization based in Joypurhat, proudly announced the publication of a landmark book titled Commodification and Marketization of Water: The Exploration of the Unheard Cries in the Barind Tracts of Bangladesh. Authored by Dr. Sazzadul Bari, Muhammad Mahmudur Rahman, and James Soren, this work marks a critical milestone in research-driven advocacy for sustainable and equitable water governance in one of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable ecological zones. see pdf : Commodification and Marketization of Water- by Dr. Bari et el
This comprehensive study investigates the multifaceted and often invisible processes through which water—a vital and sacred natural resource—is increasingly transformed into a commodity in the Barind Tracts. Conducted across Niamatpur Upazila of Naogaon District and Nachol Upazila of Chapainawabganj District, the research utilizes an interdisciplinary qualitative methodology to uncover the deep cultural, political, and institutional dynamics at play.
Unlike conventional academic discourses that tend to frame water commodification in economic or engineering terms, this book delves into the lived realities of Barind communities. It explores how water is embedded in local imaginations, spiritual belief systems, and ritual practices, demonstrating that water in this region is not just a resource—but a sacred and social entity. These deeply rooted cultural dimensions are shown to influence how communities perceive and respond to shifts in water access, control, and policy.
The book meticulously examines the mechanisms and stages through which water becomes commodified—from informal local markets to state-regulated irrigation systems. It reveals the political economy underlying these processes, highlighting how certain institutional arrangements and actors gain power, while historically water-dependent communities face increasing marginalization and inequality. The research further explores how commodification disrupts local customs of water sharing, challenges social cohesion, and jeopardizes climate resilience.
Through vivid ethnographic storytelling, policy critique, and grounded theory, the authors document the voices of the marginalized—voices often excluded from mainstream policy and development agendas. These narratives highlight how climate stress, agrarian transitions, and market forces are reshaping the political landscape of water in rural Bangladesh.
Commodification and Marketization of Water is more than an academic publication—it is a timely call to action. The book challenges policymakers, development agencies, civil society organizations, and scholars to rethink water governance not merely in terms of supply and demand, but as a fundamentally cultural and political issue. It advocates for governance models that are inclusive, just, and sensitive to local contexts and voices.
This seminal publication contributes significantly to the fields of Anthropology, Climate Studies, Political Economy, and Development Studies. It is an essential resource for activists, NGOs, water managers, and academic institutions committed to addressing the water crisis in Bangladesh and other similarly affected regions around the globe.
Action and Light remains committed to facilitating community-centered research and publishing efforts that amplify local knowledge systems, foster social justice, and promote sustainable development. This book is a powerful reflection of that mission.