PM stresses integrated urban planning for sustainable water management
Experts called for medium- and long-term strategies, canal restoration and improved urban drainage as rapid urbanisation continues to strain the country's water resources.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (4 August) stressed the need for integrated urban planning to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation and ensure sustainable water management.
During an exchange of views with a group of experts on water management, he also assured them of the government's support in addressing the country's water management challenges and ensuring sustainable solutions.
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.
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He said the discussion focused on key water management challenges, including canal restoration, the stability of rivers and embankments, improvement of urban drainage systems, wastewater treatment and rainwater management.
Environmental, water resources and engineering experts, representatives of several organisations under the leadership of private organisation Footsteps Bangladesh attended the discussion.
The experts shared their experiences on the country's water management challenges, existing limitations and possible solutions.
They said integrated and effective urban planning is essential to cope with the pressures of rapid urbanisation and ensure long-term water security.
The experts also recommended medium- and long-term planning, greater use of modern technology, stronger coordination among relevant agencies and effective measures that take the impacts of climate change into account.
After listening to the experts, the Prime Minister assured them of the government's cooperation in promoting sustainable development, protecting the environment and ensuring a safe and efficient water management system for the country's people.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and BNP Special Secretary Belayet Hossain were present at the meeting.
Those attending the meeting also included Footsteps Bangladesh Trustee and Head of Partnerships Fasbeer Eskander, President Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Vice-President Mohammad Taqi Yasir, former Chief Engineer of the World Bank's Waste Management Project Tariq Bin Yusuf, United International University Professor Mujibur Rahman, Red Orange Director Alok Kumar Majumdar, Deputy Director Samiul Islam, Youth for NDC Executive Director Amanullah Parag, GarbageMan Founder Fahid Uddin Shuvo and urban and rural planner SM Mehedi Hasan.
