Over the years, rapid increase in population and spread of urban settlements has taken a heavy toll on Bangladesh’s water bodies or wetlands. Wetlands are defined as areas of land that is either temporarily or permanently covered by water. Each water body is ecologically unique. It recycles nutrients, purifies and provides drinking water, reduces flooding, recharges groundwater, provides fodder and fuel, facilitates aqua-culture, provides a habitat for wildlife, buffers the shoreline against erosion and offers avenues for recreation.
It is a serious cause for concern that wetlands across the country are threatened by draining and filling and are being exploited for their natural resources, leading to the loss of biodiversity. Water is perhaps the most precious of all natural resources and a basic need sustaining the life of all living creatures. Seventy-five per cent of the surface of the earth is covered with water. Unfortunately in Bangladesh natural water bodies are being encroached upon with apparent impunity by vested quarters. The latter are grabbing canals, ditches, marshes, etc. in different regions of the country and filling up the water bodies.
Also the arbitrary use of water bodies for various other purposes with scant regard for ecological consequences is the main cause of groundwater depletion. Additionally threats to water bodies include lake reclamation for infrastructure activities, unauthorized dumping of municipal waste and building debris and sustained inflow of untreated or partially treated sewage and industrial effluents.
Drastic fall in underground water is not limited to the urban areas but it also prevails across the vast rural areas of the country. Alarmingly government bodies also influence water governance in a manner that leads to illegal encroachment of water bodies. Though laws do exist by which those involved in land filling can be booked on, they are hardly if ever, implemented. With water bodies falling under multiple agencies, it becomes difficult to monitor how they are being conserved. For ages, local communities looked after water bodies, which survived because of the sense of ownership. The local communities must again be involved to ensure preservation.
Water bodies if not preserved would have disastrous consequences for the country. Simple steps can ensure preservation and flourishing of water bodies. Building drains around wetlands to harvest storm water and planting shrubs and porous material in catchments areas are steps in the right direction. The wetlands should be conserved and investments be made for sustainable development gains. A significant portion of Bangladesh’s wetlands have already been wiped out or severely degraded. The authorities must formulate a plan to protect and harvest water in these water bodies.