Speakers for concerted efforts to address Barind challenges

RAJSHAHI, Apr 18 (BSS): Concerted efforts of all government and non-government entities concerned are crucial to ensuring a reasonable and sustainable use of land and water, both surface and underground, to address the existing challenges of the Barind region.

Time has come to stimulate innovative possibilities with building a shared understanding to amplify the potentials and reduce the adversities in the dried areas and measures should be strengthened to conserve environment and huge crops production.

The observation came at a strategy planning workshop styled "Barind Integrated Landscape Transformation Multi-Stakeholder Platform" in Rajshahi city on Tuesday.

Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) and Rural Development Academy jointly organised the workshop at BMDA conference hall in association with International Finance Corporation (IFC) and 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG).

Around 40 high-level representatives from regional public and private organisation and civil society joined the day-long workshop discussing ways and means on how to improve the socio-economic condition of the Barind area.

Chaired by BMDA Chairman Dr Akram Hossain Chowdhury, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Asia and Middle East Regional Head of IFC Dr. Bastiaan Mohrmann, former vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University Prof Sattar Mondal, WRG Bangladesh Coordinator Saif Tanzim and Consultant Dr Azharul Haque as resource persons.