The meeting revealed that, based on detailed surveys conducted under Sections 17 and 19 of the Bangladesh Water Act, 2013, 47 unions out of 215 across 25 upazilas in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon districts in the northwest hydrological region have been identified as critically water-stressed areas. Similarly, three unions and one municipality out of 17 unions and one municipality in Patiya upazila, Chattogram, have also been designated as critically water-stressed. Water use in these areas will be regulated under the Water Act, and a committee will finalize measures within the next month to ensure the supply of drinking water and water for household use.
The meeting recommended conducting a survey in Subarnachar, Noakhali, to assess water availability. It was also decided to extend the ongoing groundwater availability assessment, currently underway in 50 districts, to the remaining 14 districts.
Furthermore, to protect the biodiversity and ecosystems of the internationally significant Tanguar Haor and Hakaluki Haor, the ‘Haor Ecosystem Protection Order’ was approved for issuance for the first time. This order includes measures to regulate tourism and outline actions for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry in these haors.
The meeting was chaired by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources. Attendees included Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.), Adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture; Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Md. Mokabbir Hossain, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources; and senior secretaries and heads of various ministries and organizations.
