RAJSHAHI, Feb 14, 2020 (BSS) – Speakers at a workshop here mentioned that
formulation of a need-based watershed management policy along with its
successful implementation has become crucial for ensuring a sustainable
agriculture system in the region, especially in its vast Barind tract.
Establishing sustainable agriculture system can be a vital means of
sustainable development in the region, they told the function styled
“Developing the Draft Watershed Management Policy and Implementation
Framework” at Hotel Warisan in Rajshahi city yesterday afternoon.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Bangladesh
organized the divisional level workshop in association with Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
More than 70 people including government and non-government officials
concerned, academics, scientists, professionals, public representatives and
civil society members took part in the it and put forward a set of
recommendations on how to formulate an effective watershed management policy.
Prof Rezaur Rahman from Institute of Water and Flood Management in
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Prof Chowdhury
Sarwar Jahan from Department of Geology and Mining in Rajshahi University and
Raquibul Amin, the Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh, addressed the
meeting as resource persons disseminating their expertise on the issue.
They unanimously opined that emphasis should be given on re-excavating the
derelict ponds, canals, wetlands and other water bodies so that the farming
fields can be brought under surface water-based irrigation instead of the
groundwater.
Superintending Engineer of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority Abdur
Rashid, Deputy Director of Department of Environment Mamun-Ur-Rashid,
Additional Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Kamruzzaman, District Training
Officer of Department of Agriculture Extension Monjurul Haque, Chief
Executive Officer of DASCOH Foundation Akramul Haque and its Coordinator of
Integrated Water Resource Management Project Jahangir Alam Khan also spoke.
In his remarks, Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan stressed the need for re-
excavation of the derelict water bodies like ponds and wetlands for the
conservation of surface water to maintain ecological balance in the region.
He said a large number of water bodies have become derelict due to the
adverse impacts of climate change posing a serious threat to ecosystem and
livelihood conditions of the people.
Substantial and sustainable conservation of surface water resources along
with its careful use has become an urgent need for supplementing the
government efforts for formulating a watershed management policy.
Among others, Prof Enamul Haque, Prof Rezaur Rahman and Prof Mijanur Rahman
from Rajshahi University, Principal Scientific Officer of Soil Resource
Development Institute Dr Nurul Islam, Executive Engineer of Rajshahi City
Corporation Nur Islam, Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat and
Union Parishad Chairmen Sazzad Hossain Mukul and Muhammad Akteruzzaman took
part in the open discussion.