Green activists demand long-term master plan to save groundwater

Green activists on Monday demanded formulation of long-term master plans to reduce dependence on groundwater and increase the use of surface water in the country, reports BSS.
By cutting dependence on groundwater in agriculture and industrial sectors, it is an urgent to take different long-term master plans to increase the use of surface water here, they told a discussion.
Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba), Bangladesh Nirapad Pani Andolon (BNPA) and Manabadhikar Unnayan Kendra jointly arranged the discussion at the Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad auditorium in the city on the occasion of the World Water Day.
Chaired by BNPA president Engr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Manabadhikar Unnayan Kendra secretary general Mahbubul Haque, president of Poribesh Bachao Mancho Amir Hassan Masud, Poba member Engr Tofail Ahmed, president of Devidas Ghat Social Welfare Sangsad Md Musa, WBB Trust project officer Padma Saha and central publicity and publication secretary of Bangladesh Nadi Bachao Andolan Hasibul Haque Ponam.
Poba general secretary Engr Abdus Sobhan moderated the meeting.
A set of recommendations was put forward at the meeting with a view to improving groundwater condition in Bangladesh.
The recommendations included incorporating the issue of groundwater use in urban planning and housing plans, taking steps to improve the status of groundwater by recharging its level with rainwater, strict implementing of water law to protect waterbodies, cultivation of water-efficient paddy varieties and checking water pollution.
The World Water Day 2022 will be observed today (Tuesday) across the country. The theme of the day this year is: "Groundwater - Making The Invisible Visible".