As it is, Bangladesh
today lacks in indigenous
know-how to harness its oceanic resources. The Department of Oceanography at DU will play a part in
filling this void if it gets
substantial governmental support to equip itself for the challenging tasks
Oceanic studies and Bangladesh
A new department called the Department of Oceanography was introduced in the Dhaka University (DU) last year. Clearly, Bangladesh will have to depend increasingly on its sea resources to take care of the needs of its burgeoning future population which is likely to swell to 180 million as early as 2030.
The newly launched Department will be counted as a truly useful one or a resource body only after it acquires requisite capacities and skills in all respects to boost the countrys knowledge as well as know-how about our sea resources. As it is, Bangladesh today lacks in indigenous capability to harness its oceanic resources.
The Department of Oceanography will play a part in filling this void if it gets substantial governmental assistance to equip itself for the challenging tasks. Governments aim should be ultimately transforming the department into a full fledged institute to deal with wider aspects of oceanic studies.
It was heartening to note that Janata Bank has donated 5 crore Taka to the department for the purchase of equipment and books. But such on and off private charities will not help the department to start playing its role as the premier organization to impart knowledge about our adjoining sea and its resources till government decides to be a major backer of the department in all respects.
After winning in the arbitration case in relation to its dispute with Myanmar over sea areas, Bangladesh has acquired undisputed possession of a vast area in the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh has further much increased its sea possessions after the conclusion of a similar case with India.
Apart from the obvious fish and marine resources, the Bay of Bengal is considered to have many other vital mineral resources, plus energy sources like gas and petroleum. Our own people must have good working knowledge of what these are to be able to start effective harnessing of these resources as soon as possible. In Bangladesh there are policies relating to ocean but all of these are in a scattered way. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to form an inter-ministerial committee consisting of delegations from the concerned ministries, agencies and organisations to prepare a draft overall ocean policy at the earliest.
