RESEARCH ARTICLE Bangladesh Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries ISSN 1992-4445 Vol.1, No., 1: 47-62, 2009 Waterlogged Area as New Horizon for Aquaculture Development: A Golden Dream to the Rural Communities of Begumgonj, Noakhali Nani Gopal Das, M. Shahadat Hossain* and M. Shafiqul Islam Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh *Corresponding author Email: hossainms@yahoo.com Abstract Begumgonj Upazila situated under the district of Noakhali, Bangladesh is suitable for rice cultivation during dry season, but unsuitable during rainy season due to deep waterlogged situation. Landsat TM image and thematic information were analyzed using ENVI and ArcView GIS software and were recorded 22,186 ha seasonal waterlogged areas occupied by 294 polygons that cover about 52% of the total study area. Aquaculture suitability was identified on the basis of water depth and waterlogged duration for nursing and culture of fish/prawn and indigenous brood fish rearing through the establishment of local fish sanctuary. Rapid Participatory Rural Appraisal was carried out with different stakeholder groups to find out the available resources of waterlogged areas and their importance for community livelihoods. The paddy cum prawn culture on rotational basis may be economically viable and ecologically sound in this region. This is the prime way to increase rural economy through the development of primary production sector in the waterlogged paddy lands. As a result, employment opportunity of waterlogged-area-based villagers could secure their livelihoods during rainy season and the migration tendency of rural people would be discouraged. The study advocates that the local community in the waterlogged area requires the extension and training support to utilize the dormant waterlogged resources for the improvement of socio-economic status of the rural people by promoting sustainable aquaculture. Keywords: Waterlogged area, paddy-prawn rotation, livelihood, satellite image, and suitability classification