RANGPUR, Mar 22 (BSS): Abnormal drying up of the rivers and unplanned management have been causing acute scarcity of water affecting agriculture, environment, bio-diversity amid adverse impacts of climate change, speakers said today.
They were addressing a seminar on 'Proper Water Management is Base for Sustainable Development: Perspective of Local Reality' organised at the Deputy Commissioner's conference room in Panchagarh in observance of the World Water Day- 2014.
The district administration with the assistances of the Public Health and Engineering Department (DPHE), NGO Forum for Public Health, UNICEF, Japan International Cooperation Agency, NGOs 'Paroshpar', Centre for Rights and Development (CRD) and 'Suchona' organised the seminar.
Earlier, a huge colourful rally joined by officials, employees of different government and non-government organisations, students, teachers, human rights and social activists, professionals and the elite, was brought out in Panchagarh town.
Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh Mohammad Salah Uddin attended and addressed the seminar as the chief guest with Executive Engineer of the DPHE of Panchagarh Altabul Islam in the chair.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Panchagarh Ahmed Kabir, Civil Surgeon Dr Mozammel Haque, Additional Police Super Deen Mohammad, Executive Director of 'Paroshpar' Akhterun Nahar Saki, Programme Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Hasina Parveen and Executive Director of CRD Abu Sayeed addressed.
Head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science of Panchagarh Government Women's College Tauhidul Islam delivered keynote presentation on 'Water and Energy' narrating the present water situation, its scarcity and prevailing problems at the local, regional, national and global levels with suggestions for way-out.
Dinajpur Regional Programme Manager of NGO Forum for Public Health Rashidul Islam delivered the welcome speech in the seminar.
The speakers laid special emphasis on strengthening equity-based international cooperation on water sharing and its proper management in the greater interest of all nations amid changed climatic conditions.
They stressed for strengthening capacity and governance at national, regional and international levels, promoting technology transfer, mobilizing more financial resource, scaling up good practice and lesson learned to cope with water scarcity. They asked all concerned for equity-based international cooperation and comprehensive actions adopting the latest scientific methods and technologies to ensure the best management and use of water and it's just sharing among the nations.
