Call for coordinated efforts to manage water resources
Speakers at a workshop yesterday stressed the need for coordinated management of fishery, water and water reservoirs of the country for proper management of the country's natural resources.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) held the workshop on "Integrated Floodplain Management in Bangladesh" at Brac Centre Inn in the city.
AKM Mozzamel Haque, chairman of parliamentarian standing committee on Ministry of Land, speaking as the chief guest, said the policy for water bodies is faulty, as the cabinet prepared it.
It is not possible to manage all kinds of water bodies using the policy as it mentions only some big water bodies. As the policy is faulty there is a scope for corruption in it, he said.
Dr Robert Arthur of MRAG said findings of research conducted on the issue could be shared with the local administration, local people and community-based organisations so that they can take lesson from it.
Syeda Riwana Hasan, chief executive of Bela, said discussions with community-based organisations are needed before any decision on water bodies is taken.
Integrated Floodplain Management is undertaken by Bela, Middlesex University Flood Hazard Research Centre, Banchte Shekha, Centre for Natural Resources Studies and MRAG, with the support from the UK department for international development's Research Into Use programme.
Dr Parvin Sultana and Dr Paul Thompson, senior research fellows of Middlesex University, said the project helped community-based organisations cultivate some sunflower, maize, wheat and garlic as an alternative of rice, costing less money and water.
The workshop was presided over by LGED Engineer Moshiur Rahman.
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