World Water Day is celebrated every year on 22nd March to draw attention
on the importance of freshwater and to propagate the needs of sustainable
management of freshwater resources. In 1992, the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro
had recommended the observance of World Water Day. Thereafter, the
United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year
as World Water Day by adopting a resolution. Since 1993, March 22nd
is being observed as World Water Day considering the harsh realities
in water sector. One in eight people in the world don’t have access
to safe water. Among these, millions of women and children spend
several hours every day collecting water from distant, often polluted
sources, and 2.5 billion people live without a toilet.
The Theme for World Water Day 2009 was “Trans-boundary Water” with
slogan "Shared Water - Shared Opportunities". Special focus was
paid on trans-boundary water, whilst fostering the opportunities
for cooperation in trans-boundary water management that can help
build mutual respect, understanding and trust among countries and
promote peace, security and sustainable economic growth.
NGO Forum for Drinking Water supply & Sanitation in collaboration
with its development partners; DPHE, UNICEF, WHO and Government
of Bangladesh organized a seminar to observe the day with due significance.
In light of the theme of the Day 'Shared Water - Shared Opportunities'
the title of the Seminar was "Trans-boundary River Basin of Bangladesh:
Situation Analysis of Water & Sanitation". The Seminar highlighted
the issues related to the present water supply, sanitation & health
situation centering the trans-boundary river basin of Bangladesh.
Presided over by Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Chief Engineer of DPHE,
the ceremony was addressed by the State Minister for LGRD, Jahangir
Kabir Nanak, Shaikh Khurshid Alam, Secretary, LGD, Carel de Rooy,
Country Representative, UNICEF, Dr. Andrew Trevett, Environmental
Health Advisor and Acting WHO Representative to Bangladesh as Special
Guests. Mr. Kazi Ali Reza, Officer-in-Charge, UNIC read out the
Message of the UN Secretary General.
In his welcome speech S.M.A. Rashid, Executive Director, NGO Forum
said, 'Due to the unilateral withdrawal of water from the 54 trans-border
rivers, various negative impacts on the environment have started
in the country. There is increasing salinity in the water. The water
flows of rivers become extremely low during the dry season. Different
types of pump technologies are not functioning due to the sharp
fall in the groundwater level'.
The State Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak stated, 'Due to unscrupulous
construction of dams by the neighboring country at the upstream
areas, change of river course, ever-increasing population, indiscriminate
use of water resource, absence of long-term plan along with scores
of factors, more than 80 rivers and uncountable number of ponds,
tanks and other water bodies are being dried up. Since rivers and
water bodies are drying up the groundwater level is also declining'.
In his speech Carel de Rooy said, 'Obviously, for Bangladesh, in
the delta of the mighty Ganges & Brahmaputra, trans-boundary issues,
both for the rivers and the underground aquifers, are of crucial
importance. With over 10 million tubewells in Bangladesh, access
to a drinking water source does not seem bad. However, if we consider
equity and water quality, then the picture is less rosy'.
Dr. Andrew Trevett mentioned, 'Given that water is a finite resource,
and that it is essential to life we should use it with the utmost
respect. However, freshwater resources are seriously threatened
by rapid population growth, economic development and increasingly
by climate change which will exacerbate problems of water scarcity
and water quality'.
It was emphasized that the theme chosen this year is extremely significant
as amicable management of trans-boundary water will play an important
role in facing the challenges ahead in water sector. Water, unlike
most other natural resources, does not respect political boundaries.
The natural flow of water, both on the Earth’s surface and underground
routinely crosses these boundaries.
In the Working Session, Dr. Rezaur Rahman of Institute of Water
and Flood Management, BUET presented the Key-note Paper. Cases focusing
on the life and livelihood, water, sanitation and health, hygiene
situation in seven different trans-boundary river basin areas were
presented. Professor Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman of Dept. of Civil Engineering,
BUET chaired the Working Session. After presentations of seven case
studies the participants took part in an open discussion. It was
emphasized on the discussion that our efforts in this direction
should not end with the observance of World Water Day. Rather, it
should be a starting point and continue throughout the year to keep
the issues at the forefront.
Meanwhile, NGO Forum’s regional offices located in 14 different
areas of Bangladesh have also observed World Water Day highlighting
the significance of the day. Rallies, cultural programmes, awareness
building and motivational events were organized at the regional
level for sensitizing the people towards the use of safe water,
sanitation and hygiene practice.
World Water Day Observed in Bangladesh
