River erosion to take serious turn due to climate change
Friday, 5 November 2010
Erosion will take serious turn in the major rivers of the country-the Jamuna, the Padma and the Ganges-due to adverse impact of climate change.
The three rivers, the most dynamic rivers of Bangladesh, devour several thousand hectares of flood plains annually, leaving thousands of people landless and homeless, Deputy Executive Director (DED) of the Centre for Environment and Geographic Information Service (CEGIS) Dr Maminul Haque Sarker told BSS Thursday.
Though the rate of erosion in the three rivers declined in the recent years compared to the 1980s, it will increase in the coming years due to the impact of climate change, he added.
A total of 6000 hectares are eroded in the three rivers every year, Dr Haque said predicting 6600 hectare will be eroded every year after 50 years and 72,00 hectares after 100 years as flooding will increase by 20 per cent due to the impact of climate change.
The three rivers, the most dynamic rivers of Bangladesh, devour several thousand hectares of flood plains annually, leaving thousands of people landless and homeless, Deputy Executive Director (DED) of the Centre for Environment and Geographic Information Service (CEGIS) Dr Maminul Haque Sarker told BSS Thursday.
Though the rate of erosion in the three rivers declined in the recent years compared to the 1980s, it will increase in the coming years due to the impact of climate change, he added.
A total of 6000 hectares are eroded in the three rivers every year, Dr Haque said predicting 6600 hectare will be eroded every year after 50 years and 72,00 hectares after 100 years as flooding will increase by 20 per cent due to the impact of climate change.