Why this indifference to land reclamation?
Friday, 11 December 2009
Enamul Haque
LACK of allocation in the country's annual development programmes (ADPs) for land reclamation reflects absence of government initiative on the issue. Dams and other structures could be put up to accelerate the process of accretion off the coast. Undoubtedly, non allocation of resources for the purpose reflects government's indifference to the potential. Successive governments should have attached priority to the issue. Reclamation of land from the sea could solve the perennial problem of shortage of land Bangladesh faces. Given government initiative, there would be no dearth of external supports for the project.
Already, substantial land formation of the coast of Bangladesh, due to natural sedimentation, is noticeable. Some of it has completely surfaced, where human settlements have developed. But the other formations remain submerged during ebb tides. These formations could be permanently reclaimed with planned action. Much of the Bangladesh delta, particularly the districts of Faridpur, Barisal, Noakhali and Patuakhali, surfaced from the sea at one point of time.
Left to natural process, it would lake long for the half-submerged land to surface from the sea. Bangladesh can establish cross dams to speed up the process of land reclamation.
There would be no dearth of response from the international community if Bangladesh seeks technical and financial support. Holland has unrivalled experience in reclaiming land from the sea. Much of Holland was reclaimed from the sea. High tides and storms continue to inundate Holland. The Dutch reclaimed vast stretches of land from the sea to solve the problem. They built secure barriers or sea walls to protect their country.
For its higher elevation, Bangladesh can do with projects of lesser scale. The country's huge reservoir of work force provide it an extra advantage. Bangladesh needs a time-bound projects for best results. It can seek assistance from Holland. The United States and other developed countries would also be agreeable to help.
Mobilisation of domestic resources, together with foreign assistance, can enable Bangladesh to reclaim land from the sea faster than many would imagine.
LACK of allocation in the country's annual development programmes (ADPs) for land reclamation reflects absence of government initiative on the issue. Dams and other structures could be put up to accelerate the process of accretion off the coast. Undoubtedly, non allocation of resources for the purpose reflects government's indifference to the potential. Successive governments should have attached priority to the issue. Reclamation of land from the sea could solve the perennial problem of shortage of land Bangladesh faces. Given government initiative, there would be no dearth of external supports for the project.
Already, substantial land formation of the coast of Bangladesh, due to natural sedimentation, is noticeable. Some of it has completely surfaced, where human settlements have developed. But the other formations remain submerged during ebb tides. These formations could be permanently reclaimed with planned action. Much of the Bangladesh delta, particularly the districts of Faridpur, Barisal, Noakhali and Patuakhali, surfaced from the sea at one point of time.
Left to natural process, it would lake long for the half-submerged land to surface from the sea. Bangladesh can establish cross dams to speed up the process of land reclamation.
There would be no dearth of response from the international community if Bangladesh seeks technical and financial support. Holland has unrivalled experience in reclaiming land from the sea. Much of Holland was reclaimed from the sea. High tides and storms continue to inundate Holland. The Dutch reclaimed vast stretches of land from the sea to solve the problem. They built secure barriers or sea walls to protect their country.
For its higher elevation, Bangladesh can do with projects of lesser scale. The country's huge reservoir of work force provide it an extra advantage. Bangladesh needs a time-bound projects for best results. It can seek assistance from Holland. The United States and other developed countries would also be agreeable to help.
Mobilisation of domestic resources, together with foreign assistance, can enable Bangladesh to reclaim land from the sea faster than many would imagine.