ZCZC
BSS-45
RIVER-PROTECTION-MEETING
Water resources need to be protected in Barind area: experts
RAJSHAHI, March 20, 2019 (BSS)- Experts and development activists here
called for protecting the existing surface water resources including rivers
in Barind area to address the existing water shortage in the region.
They said recommendations and suggestions from the grassroots level
farmers, researchers and other stakeholders need to be taken into
consideration before formulating any water related law and policy.
Issues of vulnerabilities caused by abnormal decline of underground and
surface water resources have become an issue of concern. Protecting the
rivers is the precondition in mitigating the water crises in the drought-
prone Barind area, they added.
The observation came at a meeting held at the office of Tanore Upazila
Parishad in the district today.
Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), and Rivers
Protection Committee and Upazila Administration jointly organized the meeting
to create mass-awareness about importance of rivers.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Chowdhury Golam Rabbi, Assistant Commissioner
(Land) Abdullah Al Mamun, Fisheries Officer Shahadul Islam, Livestock Officer
Dr Abdul Mazid, Secondary Education Officer Amirul Islam, Project
Implementation Officer Tariqul Islam, BARCIK Regional Coordinator Shahidul
Islam and National Agriculture awarded farmers Nur Muhammad and Yousuf Ali
Mollah, among others, addressed the meeting.
Development activist Shahidul Islam said climate change has depleted the
natural resources and become a major threat to humanity. He urged the policy
makers to take effective measures to address the adverse impact.
Substantial and sustainable promotion of water and sanitation related
modern technologies have become the demand of time. The existing rivers need
to be brought under excavation immediately.
Dry areas are experiencing drought like conditions with gradual increase
of extreme weather conditions, sharp decline in groundwater table and
decreasing rate of rainfall.
Islam put emphasis on groundwater recharging by enriching the surface
water resources through necessary excavation and re-excavation of the
derelict ponds and canals on an urgent basis.
BSS/AH/ARS/1952 hrs