Quarterly Newsletter of the NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation 12th Year, 4th Issue, April to June 2009, Reg: No. 82/97

VIENNA, 22 March (UN Informa-tion Service) - Water is our most precious natural resource. More than ever we need to work together to use it wisely. While the world's growing population is consuming more freshwater, climate change is making less water available in many regions as glaciers recede, rainfall becomes less predictable, and floods and droughts become more extreme. Managing water carefully and balancing the varied needs for it is vital.

water resources to foster trust and promote peace. Political will, a flexible policy framework, strong institutions and an inclusive approach will help us build on this foundation for the benefit of all.

On this World Water Day, I urge governments, civil society, the private sector and all stakeholders to recognize that our collective future depends on how we manage our precious and finite water resources.

In light of the theme of the Day 'Shared Water - Shared Opportunities' the title of the Seminar on the World Water Day was "Transboundary River Basin of Bangladesh: Situation Analysis of Water & Sanitation" which was held on 22nd March at DPHE Auditorium, Dhaka. The Seminar highlighted the issues related to the present water supply, sanitation & health situation centering the transboundary river basin of Bangladesh.

Much of the planet's water, above or below ground, is shared. Forty per cent of the world's people live in one of 263 basins that are shared by two or more countries. Concern over the possibility of violent disputes features regularly in discussions about sharing limited water resources. But while the potential exists for water to act as a catalyst for conflict between States and communities, precedent suggests that the opposite is actually what happens. Cooperation, not conflict, is the most common response by people facing competing demands.

Under the theme "Shared Waters, Shared Opportunities", World Water Day this year highlights how transboundary water resources can act as a unifying force. Worldwide, there are at least 300 international water agreements, often among parties that are other-wise at odds. These agreements demonstrate the potential of shared

Observance of World Water DayRegional Cooperation Emphasized for Resolving the

Transboundary Water IssuesShamima Nasreen

Message on World Water Day, 22 March 2009"Water Is Our Most Precious Natural Resource"

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Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), The World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), WSP-The World Bank and NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation have jointly observed the World Water Day with due significance.

Bangladesh has been subjected to severe water shortage as well as to the destruction of environment and bio-diversity. Furthermore, unequal access to Transboundary Water hampers the right to safe water supply. Proper sanitation is also linked with appropriate flow and share of water sources. Without management of Trans-boundary Water, sanitation target couldn’t be achieved and appropriate health & hygiene practice is not possible. To get rid of this problem regional cooperation is indispensable, mentioned by the State Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, MP, Ministry of LGRD&C, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while addressing in the National Seminar. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Chief Engineer of DPHE chaired the ceremony while Shaikh Khurshid Alam, Secretary, LGD, Carel de Rooy, Country Representative, UNICEF, Dr. Andrew Trevett, Environmental Health Advisor & Acting WHO Rep-resentative to Bangladesh as Special Guests. Kazi Ali Reza, Officer-in-Charge, UNIC read out the Message of the UN Secretary General.

The State Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak stated that in the upstream areas unscrupulous construction of dams by the neighbouring country, change of river course, ever-increasing population, indiscriminate use of water resource, absence of long-term plan and along with scores of factors more than 80 rivers and innumerable ponds, tanks and other water bodies are being dried up. Since rivers and water bodies are drying up the groundwater level is also declining. He also stated that the amount of water that are extracting from the underground, is not being recharged. Experts observe if the situation remains unchanged, the underground water reserve will face acute shortage resulting in complete depletion. It is estimated that in the dry season 40-50% Tube-wells run out of water, which is the sole source of safe water. If the current rate of groundwater extraction continues and it is not recharged, the rate will reach to 70%-75% in no time.

The State Minister also mentioned that the level of ground-water declined to such level that it becomes very hard to avail. The density of various chemical substance and mineral components mixed with groundwater pose severe threat to human life. A great majority of Bangladeshis are suffering

Honorable State Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, MP Ministry of LERD&C, Government of the People’s Republic of

Bangladesh is delivering his speech

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from arsenic related contamination and its poisonous effects. While mentioning about salinity he said that sea level is rising for global warming and saline water from the sea is intruding in the main land. According to the experts about 17% land of coastal region will be inundated by the twenty first century.

LGD Secretary Shaikh Khurshid Alam emphasized on ensuring three things regarding water. One is the flow of water, secondly the quality of water and the third one is the optimum use of water. He urged on the need to achieve 100% sanitation coverage by ensuring safe water for all. And he emphasized that this must be guaranteed in relation to keeping the rivers in normal flow.

In his speech Carel de Rooy said, 'Obviously, for Bangladesh, in the delta of the mighty Ganges & Brahmaputra, transboundary issues, both for the rivers and the underground aquifers, are of crucial importance’. He also mentioned that with over 10 million Tubewells in Bangladesh, access to a drinking water source does not seem bad. However, if equity and water quality can be considered, then the picture can be less rosy.

Dr. Andrew Trevett mentioned that as water is a finite resource and is very much essential to life so it should be used 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.

Chairperson Md. Mustafizur Rahman pointed out that water which comes from upstream area carried sand & silt with it. As a result, island arises on the river, river reduces its navigation, loses its depth, & the salty water of seas mix with the river water which also are making the fresh water into salty one. Problem in availability of safe water is increasing alarmingly, the sanitation & health care scenario are broken out.

S.M.A. Rashid, Executive Director, NGO Forum said in his welcome speech that 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.

Dr. Rezaur Rahman of Institute of Water & Flood Management, BUET presented the Key-note Paper in the Working Session of the Seminar. Cases focusing on the life & livelihood, water, sanitation and health & hygiene situation at 7 different transboundary river basins (Panchagarh, Teesta, Padma, Surma-Kushiyara, Chandpur, Shankha, Ichhamoti) were presented by 7 representatives from each basin. The Working Session underscored the importance of research and synergistic achievement in assessing the use and ensuring safe water & sanitation facilities for all as well. After presentations of seven case studies the participants took part in an open discussion. Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman of Dept. of Civil Engineering, BUET chaired the Working Session.

One of the Participants is delivering hisComments in the Open Discussion

Quarterly Newsletter of the NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation4/6, Block-E, Lalmatia, Dhaka-1207, Phone: 8154273-4, 8128258-9, E-mail: ngofaic@bangla.net

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Free Distribution in Bangladesh only

EditorS.M.A. RashidExecutive EditorJoseph HalderAssistant EditorShamima Nasreen

Editorial Advisory BoardDr. K. S. HudaAnish K. BaruaPrinting and PublicationDevelopment Communication Cell

Views expressed in WatSan are not necessarily those of NGO Forum for

Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation while they are certainly those of authors.

As part of its advocacy campaign “Be Beside the Hard-to-Reach” NGO Forum arranged a district consultation at Bandarban district Council on 23 April 2009. The objective of this advocacy initiative was to sensitize the Government, policy-makers, local govt. representatives, local, national and international NGOs, mass-media, civil society and other concerned stakeholders to formulate an effective strategy and necessary budget allocation to ensure WatSan facilities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The event started with the inauguration speech by S.M.A. Rashid, Executive Director of NGO Forum. A current status on Water and Sanitation of the CHT with special focus on Bandarban Hill District was presented by Shamima Nasreen, Information Officer, NGO Forum.

Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma was present in the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Special guest of the event was Mr. Mostafa, Chief Engineer, DPHE, Bandarban. The event was chaired by Mr. Thanjama Lusai, Chairman, District Council, Bandarban.

Suvash Chandra Chakrabarty, Principal, Bandarban Govt. College, Ong Thoai Shing, Upazila Chairman, Ruma, Bandarban, Jhumma Dewan, Head, Gender Cluster CHT-DF, UNDP, Rangamati, Badsha Mia, Chairman, Bandarban Press Club were present as the members of the Panel. The consultation was facilitated by Joseph Halder, Chief, Advocacy & Information, NGO Forum.

The event tried to identify the problems from the locals who suffered most for the existing condition. They opined that more than half of the population of CHT is deprived of water facilities and women are the most sufferer segment due to water scarcity & other insufficient health care management. They also said that some areas are declared under high sanitation coverage but the unavailability of water will be the causes of diminishing the success.

The participants also discussed about the ways to mitigate the problems by developing a long-term strategic planning on WatSan situation covering the whole Chittagong Hill Tracts through a separate water resource management.

They also blamed the ruthless deforestation for today’s water scarcity which can only be overcome through more plantations of environment-friendly trees. This will also help to hold the water sources in this area and bring back the condition that existed 25 years back. Besides use of easy water technology are also recommended at the top of the hill. Around 150 concerned stakeholders form the entire hills i.e. Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati were participated.

Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma is seen as delivering speech

District Consultation“Strategy to Ensure the Right to Water and Sanitation for CHT”