UNB, Dhaka :
Water experts at a discussion here on Tuesday stressed the need for proper management of water resources to ensure the country’s sustainable development.
They said, it is urgent for Bangladesh to assess its current state of water resources as the country has been facing various water-related problems, including flood and salinity intrusion, and will face more water problems in the coming days.
Daily Bhorer Kagoj, a vernacular daily, organised the discussion titled ‘Water and Sustainable Development’ at its conference room here in the morning.
Dr M Ataur Rahman, a professor of the Department of Water Resources Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), said Bangladesh faces huge challenges to cope with water-related problems as it is located in three major river systems Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM).
“About 93 percent of catchment areas of the three major river systems are out of the country while only seven percent in the country,” he said adding that the water of GBM catchment flows through the
country creating various water problems-erosion and siltation.
About the rampant pollution of surface water, Prof Ataur said the Dhaka surrounding rivers, including Buriganga, are almost dead due water pollution.
Managing director of Dhaka Wasa (Water Supply & Sewerage Authority) Engr Taqsem A Khan said environment and people-friendly water resources management must be put in place to ensure sustainable development in the country.
“Dhaka Wasa has decided to cut its dependence on groundwater. So, we’ ve taken three mega projects to generate water from surface water sources. We hope, Dhaka Wasa will be able to supply 70 percent of water it generates from surface water sources by 2019,” he said.
State Minister for Water Resources N Nazrul Islam, member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources Ministry Selina Jahan Lita, MP, deputy director of Bangladesh water Development Board (BWDB) Dr Anwar Zahid, president of Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) AKMA Hamid and joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) Sharif Jamil, among others, spoke at the discussion.
Water experts at a discussion here on Tuesday stressed the need for proper management of water resources to ensure the country’s sustainable development.
They said, it is urgent for Bangladesh to assess its current state of water resources as the country has been facing various water-related problems, including flood and salinity intrusion, and will face more water problems in the coming days.
Daily Bhorer Kagoj, a vernacular daily, organised the discussion titled ‘Water and Sustainable Development’ at its conference room here in the morning.
Dr M Ataur Rahman, a professor of the Department of Water Resources Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), said Bangladesh faces huge challenges to cope with water-related problems as it is located in three major river systems Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM).
“About 93 percent of catchment areas of the three major river systems are out of the country while only seven percent in the country,” he said adding that the water of GBM catchment flows through the
country creating various water problems-erosion and siltation.
About the rampant pollution of surface water, Prof Ataur said the Dhaka surrounding rivers, including Buriganga, are almost dead due water pollution.
Managing director of Dhaka Wasa (Water Supply & Sewerage Authority) Engr Taqsem A Khan said environment and people-friendly water resources management must be put in place to ensure sustainable development in the country.
“Dhaka Wasa has decided to cut its dependence on groundwater. So, we’ ve taken three mega projects to generate water from surface water sources. We hope, Dhaka Wasa will be able to supply 70 percent of water it generates from surface water sources by 2019,” he said.
State Minister for Water Resources N Nazrul Islam, member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources Ministry Selina Jahan Lita, MP, deputy director of Bangladesh water Development Board (BWDB) Dr Anwar Zahid, president of Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) AKMA Hamid and joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) Sharif Jamil, among others, spoke at the discussion.
