Groundwater level in northern, eastern districts falls by 10 feet
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Groundwater level in the country's both northern and eastern districts has dropped by about 10 feet over the last decade, according to a study of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), reports UNB.
Water expert and Executive Director of Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) Dr Atiq Rahman attributed the falling water level in the region to decline in river flows and inadequate rain caused by climate change, and heavy withdrawal of groundwater for irrigation.
He suggested that the authorities concerned to take immediate steps for creating mass awareness to stop the misuse of water and also move for legal steps to protect the country's rivers and water bodies.
Dr Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Director of the Programme on Education for Sustainability of IUBAT (International University of Business Agriculture and Technology), said shortage of water in different areas is becoming a serious problem although Bangladesh was one of the richest countries in the world in fresh water resources.
Due to withdrawal of water, and disturbance in the natural flows, most of the rivers were drying up in the dry season and salinity was increasing in the downstream. The overall situation of water resources of Bangladesh was very deplorable. This crisis was not only affecting the city life, but the whole agriculture was also placed in a very alarming situation, Dr Ataur said.
In Bangladesh, he said, minimum 200 litres of water were used on an average by each person a day in cities while plants absorb millions of litres everyday.
Water expert and Executive Director of Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) Dr Atiq Rahman attributed the falling water level in the region to decline in river flows and inadequate rain caused by climate change, and heavy withdrawal of groundwater for irrigation.
He suggested that the authorities concerned to take immediate steps for creating mass awareness to stop the misuse of water and also move for legal steps to protect the country's rivers and water bodies.
Dr Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Director of the Programme on Education for Sustainability of IUBAT (International University of Business Agriculture and Technology), said shortage of water in different areas is becoming a serious problem although Bangladesh was one of the richest countries in the world in fresh water resources.
Due to withdrawal of water, and disturbance in the natural flows, most of the rivers were drying up in the dry season and salinity was increasing in the downstream. The overall situation of water resources of Bangladesh was very deplorable. This crisis was not only affecting the city life, but the whole agriculture was also placed in a very alarming situation, Dr Ataur said.
In Bangladesh, he said, minimum 200 litres of water were used on an average by each person a day in cities while plants absorb millions of litres everyday.