Experts have revealed at a seminar-- sometime ago-- that underground water level in 192 upazilas of 41 districts, comprising nearly two-thirds of the county, have fallen below the suction limit of shallow tube wells. Intense irrigation activities depending too disproportionately on ground water and the lean flow in trans boundary major rivers are to blame. A recent media report highlighted that 80 per cent of irrigation water and 98 per cent of drinking water are collected from underground sources without proper study and planning.
Tube well users in households in many cases in affected areas are not getting water even after sinking their suction pipes to progressively lower depths. Thus, the health and hygiene conditions in such areas are turning precarious. In the coastal districts, the ill effects of salinity from saline intrusion inland are progressing at a faster rate as land elevation there has gone down below the mean sea level.
Another danger is involved. If the lifting of underground water continues in much the same manner, then 'land subsidence' may turn worse in the affected areas sooner than later. These areas will become more vulnerable to earthquakes including Dhaka city where the highest quantities of underground water for supply to citizens are lifted on a daily basis. Thus, the use of surface water is seen as the major alternative. But this is easier said than done. There must be productive negotiations at the fastest to allow greater flow of common rivers into Bangladesh. Pollution of the rivers must be effectively controlled. Both are very daunting challenges.
Other feasible solutions need to be tried. Rain water harvesting should be encouraged along with reducing waste of water in irrigation. Recent expert studies showed that the lands can be successfully irrigated with about one quarter of the waters now being used; the rest are mainly wasted.
Desalination plants to remove salt from sea water and use the same like fresh water will have to be considered as a source of non conventional supply of water. Desalination plants for water supply are fairly common in many countries these days. The same exist even in India the Ganges barrage project within Bangladesh or its equivalent should be implemented to conserve waters of floods and rains for use in the dry season.
The building of this barrage has recently been tied to taking India on board and enlisting its cooperation. We believe if this project requires India's participation, the same must be ensured by Bangladesh at the fastest. Our policymakers at the highest level must realize the very great importance of implementing this project-- at the soonest and not later --for safeguarding the water related security of the country even in the short term.
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