Climate change worsens floods, erosion, salinity and drought
Climate change is intensifying challenges such as floods, river erosion, waterlogging, salinity and drought across Bangladesh, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has said.
“Integrated and long-term plans are essential to address these challenges,” he said while speaking at a meeting with World Bank Bangladesh Mission Chief Jean Pesme at the conference room of the Ministry of Water Resources at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Senior officials from the ministry and the World Bank attended the meeting, according to a press release.
Anee said the government has undertaken various initiatives to address the country’s water-related challenges, including the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals and water bodies.
The initiatives are also aimed at reducing the damage caused by river erosion and floods, he said.
The minister called for further strengthening the World Bank’s partnership with Bangladesh to ensure the sustainable management of the country’s water resources.
He stressed the importance of taking long-term and integrated measures as the effects of climate change continue to create growing pressure on water resources and the environment.
Jean Pesme expressed the World Bank’s commitment to continuing its support for the development of Bangladesh’s water resources and enhancing the country’s resilience to climate change.
He emphasised the need for integrated planning in water resource management, saying modern technology, stronger institutional capacity and sustainable development would be important in addressing the challenges facing the sector.
The World Bank Bangladesh Mission Chief also discussed the importance of strengthening institutional capacity alongside the adoption of modern technological approaches to improve water resource management.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of ongoing projects in the water resources sector and discussed areas of future cooperation between Bangladesh and the World Bank.
Various issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting.
