Experts for policies to govern common S Asia ecosystem

Water and environmental experts at a dialogue in the capital on Wednesday urged the South Asian countries to formulate policies "using the trans-boundary lens" for governing common ecosystems in the region, reports UNB.

They said the use and share of common ecosystem of trans-boundary rivers are complex issues as these involve diverse groups of people who depend on the

same resources for their lives and livelihoods.

In the subcontinent, natural resources, especially water, is shared across social and political boundaries. Thus, the South Asian countries "need to formulate policies using the trans-boundary lens" for governing such ecosystems, the experts said.

IUCN Bangladesh and IUCN India Country Office jointly organised the dialogue on "Ecosystems, People and Shared Learning: Experiences of Engaging in Multi-level Cooperation" at a city hotel.

Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) chairman Prof Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad and former secretary of Indian Environment and Forest Ministry Meena Gupta, among others, spoke at the inaugural session of the two-day dialogue.

Experts from both Bangladesh and India stressed floating a common platform to enhance science-based policy formulation on trans-boundary ecosystems so that people of the region can explore the potential of common ecosystem safeguarding their mutual interest.

Speaking as the chief guest, the Water Resources Minister suggested sharing knowledge and data on trans-boundary ecosystems in the region.