Strategic water saving methods in Barind area

That the groundwater level is precariously low is not a new find; in fact, there have been several surveys in recent times which show that subterranean water level has fallen sharply in cities and rural areas. Recently, at a seminar held in Rajshahi, speakers unanimously voiced the necessity to chalk up a cohesive plan to save underground water and reduce its extraction for irrigation.

The Barind tract was in question and it’s heartening to find that efforts to reduce underground water have been successful due to a multi-pronged approach. The rainwater conservation, which began a few years ago, is now a common method followed by rural people to reduce reliance on underground reserves. Also, there has been an emphasis on excavating derelict ponds, canals which has seen success thanks to the initiatives of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority, BMDA. Reportedly, 3032 ponds and 1643 km of canals re-excavated.

While we applaud the drives, the needs to save ponds and other natural water-bodies have to be taken to the rural people who are often not aware of the adverse impact of filling them up. The focus may be on Barind area though saving water-bodies needs to be a nationwide campaign, not only to ease pressure on ground water but also to maintain much needed ecological balance.

Ponds and small water bodies once punctuated the urban landscape. The sad reality now makes finding one pond in Dhaka a miracle. In the current day urban living, water reservoirs have to be encouraged as a secondary alternative to natural ponds. The government has stressed on the development of crops that do not need too much water and in this case, help from international experts should be sought.

Everything said and done, water problem in Bangladesh is due to the drying of major rivers because there isn’t an effective water sharing plan with India. No matter how many ways we try to cope, unless there is a clearly delineated water sharing pact, Bangladesh will have to grapple with drought like conditions and drying up of major rivers. Strategies are welcome as a stop gap measure, for a long term solution, the water sharing issue has to be discussed, discarding the vapid euphemisms.

 

Strategic water saving methods in Barind area

That the groundwater level is precariously low is not a new find; in fact, there have been several surveys in recent times which show that subterranean water level has fallen sharply in cities and rural areas. Recently, at a seminar held in Rajshahi, speakers unanimously voiced the necessity to chalk up a cohesive plan to save underground water and reduce its extraction for irrigation. The Barind tract was in question and its heartening to find that efforts to reduce underground water have been successful due to a multi-pronged approach. The rainwater conservation, which began a few years ago, is now a common method followed by rural people to reduce reliance on underground reserves. Also, there has been an emphasis on excavating derelict ponds, canals which has seen success thanks to the initiatives of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority, BMDA. Reportedly, 3032 ponds and 1643 km of canals re-excavated. While we applaud the drives, the needs to save ponds and other natural water-bodies have to be taken to the rural people who are often not aware of the adverse impact of filling them up. The focus may be on Barind area though saving water-bodies needs to be a nationwide campaign, not only to ease pressure on ground water but also to maintain much needed ecological balance. Ponds and small water bodies once punctuated the urban landscape. The sad reality now makes finding one pond in Dhaka a miracle. In the current day urban living, water reservoirs have to be encouraged as a secondary alternative to natural ponds. The government has stressed on the development of crops that do not need too much water and in this case, help from international experts should be sought. Everything said and done, water problem in Bangladesh is due to the drying of major rivers because there isnt an effective water sharing plan with India. No matter how many ways we try to cope, unless there is a clearly delineated water sharing pact, Bangladesh will have to grapple with drought like conditions and drying up of major rivers. Strategies are welcome as a stop gap measure, for a long term solution, the water sharing issue has to be discussed, discarding the vapid euphemisms.