Japan gives $1m grant for sustainable surface water

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh today signed a letter of agreement for $1 million in grant technical assistance (TA) from Japan to promote sustainable use of surface water for Dhaka city.
The Government of Japan is financing the TA through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. ADB will administer the fund and provide technical support for project implementation. Mitsutake Numahata, Counsellor, Embassy of Japan in Dhaka was present on the occasion.
“Securing adequate amount and good quality surface water is vital for Dhaka’s development, as the groundwater table is falling rapidly," said Country Director Kazuhiko Higuchi. "The assistance will strengthen the government’s capacity to monitor and maintain the water quality of Meghna River, which is identified as one of the major surface water sources for Dhaka,” he said. The TA will help strengthen the monitoring and reporting system in the relevant section of Meghna River where the water intake sites are proposed.
It will also introduce pilot incentive or reward system for pollution control, and assist the government in identifying areas to be designated as ‘ecologically critical area’ to restrict development activities. Government officials and other stakeholders will be equipped with knowledge and skills to operationalize the monitoring and reporting system. Public awareness programs under the TA are expected to raise appreciation of the need to maintain water quality of Meghna River, and encourage pollution-prevention activities by the public as well as industries. 

Japan gives $1m grant for sustainable surface water

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh today signed a letter of agreement for $1 million in grant technical assistance (TA) from Japan to promote sustainable use of surface water for Dhaka city. The Government of Japan is financing the TA through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. ADB will administer the fund and provide technical support for project implementation. Mitsutake Numahata, Counsellor, Embassy of Japan in Dhaka was present on the occasion. Securing adequate amount and good quality surface water is vital for Dhakas development, as the groundwater table is falling rapidly, said Country Director Kazuhiko Higuchi. The assistance will strengthen the governments capacity to monitor and maintain the water quality of Meghna River, which is identified as one of the major surface water sources for Dhaka, he said. The TA will help strengthen the monitoring and reporting system in the relevant section of Meghna River where the water intake sites are proposed. It will also introduce pilot incentive or reward system for pollution control, and assist the government in identifying areas to be designated as ecologically critical area to restrict development activities. Government officials and other stakeholders will be equipped with knowledge and skills to operationalize the monitoring and reporting system. Public awareness programs under the TA are expected to raise appreciation of the need to maintain water quality of Meghna River, and encourage pollution-prevention activities by the public as well as industries.