We have to solve water issues our own way

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked experts and authorities concerned to ensure optimum use of available water to offset the lean period crisis as part of an internal solution to the issue.

"There is no alternative to the nature-based solution for facing the mounting challenges of water resources management," she told a World Water Day programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

The premier particularly stressed on finding ways to maximise rainwater harvesting for lean season alongside maintenance of navigability of rivers.

The government is trying to ensure an equitable water sharing of all trans-boundary rivers with India as it was done in the case of the Padma River, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said a lack of availability of Teesta water from upstream India turned the Teesta Barrage dysfunctional, adding that as a downstream country Bangladesh should have considered the consequences before constructing the huge structure.

"Now, we are in trouble with the barrage. So, the more we harvest rainwater, the more we will be benefitted," she said.

The prime minister said the country must offset the crisis immediately "of our own accords" through dredging of rivers and preserving rainwater.

"The prime and foremost responsibility of the water resources ministry should be protecting the rivers, enhancing their navigability and water reserving capacity to turn them into blessings instead of curse," she said.

The prime minister said construction of embankments was not the lone solution to river erosion and floods; maintenance of their banks need to be done in such a way so the river courses remain unchanged.

She said apart from dredging, the rivers should have adequate flood zones and green belts to reduce flood damage. "Otherwise, the rivers might be devastating during the time of deluge".

The prime minister said the natural reservoirs of water should be protected while the flow of canals linking the rivers should be maintained.

"We must not waste water as groundwater is limited. So the use of groundwater should be reduced for sustainable development."

The prime minister said the UN adopted "Nature for Water" as the theme for World Water Day 2018 to encourage nature-based solutions to water problems.

The prime minister said as per millennium development goals (MDGs), 84 percent of the country's people were supposed to get safe water by 2015 but her government brought 87 percent under the coverage by the stipulated timeframe, while currently 98 percent of urban population are getting safe water.

She said discussions are underway at Bangladesh-India Joint Rivers Commission on trans-boundary water management including equitable sharing of the Teesta water.

Sheikh Hasina said the present government has almost finalised the "Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100", an environment-friendly, integrated and strategic water management plan with assistance from the Dutch government.

The Delta Plan is a strategic one to protect Bangladesh's landmass and sustainable development, meeting the challenges and demands of increasing population, she said.

Also, a concept paper has been finalised for preparing a “dredging master plan” for the country's rivers, haors, baors, canals, ponds and wetlands, she said.

Water Resources Minister Anwar Hossain Manju, among others, attended the programme chaired by the ministry's acting secretary Kabir Bin Anwar.