Experts at a colloquium stressed the need for establishing an institution for basin-wide management of trans-boundary rivers to create various opportunities for both upper and lower riparian countries in the South Asian region.
They told a discussion titled "Impacts of Climate Change and Regional Water Management" at the two-day colloquium at a hotel in the city yesterday with Prof Sajjadur Rashed in the chair.
Tauhidul Anawar Khan, former member of the Joint River Commission (JRC), presented a paper at the session.
He said it would be more effective means for the co-basin countries to retain sovereignty than engaging in competition, risking conflict.
Scarcity of water resources would be common in the countries of this region due to effect of climate change, he said.
The trans-boundary water resources are for everybody and for stability, peace and prosperity of the countries, he said adding that it should be used as a force for regional integration, not division.
“Water of a trans-boundary river should not be treated either as 'ours' or 'theirs,' it is for every body,” said Tauhidul Anawar.
In the paper, he said Bangladesh is already a vulnerable country and is going to even more vulnerable with the climate change, devastating flood, tropical cyclones, storm surges and droughts.
“On the other hand, adaptation to climate change give relief from its adverse impact up to a certain limit,” said Anawar.
The speakers said Bangladesh needs to concentrate of reclaiming land along the coastline by applying appropriate measures like intelligent use of cross dams for entrapping silts both from the rivers as well as the sea.
Dr Anawara Begum, director of Caritas, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, editor of The New Nation, Dr Sabihuddin Ahmed, former secretary to the environment and forests ministry, among others, were present.