Accepted Papers - 3.pdf - UNESCO
Accepted Papers - 3.pdf - UNESCO
Accepted Papers - 3.pdf - UNESCO
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National Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting and Water Management 11-12 Nov. 2006, Nagpur<br />
83. Water Harvesting and Management for Increasing Agricultural<br />
Production and Household Water Supply in Bangladesh<br />
*Dr. Md. Abdul Ghani<br />
ABSTRACT<br />
Bangladesh receives annually about 795,000 cubic meter of water through surface<br />
flow and about 2 meter (200 cm) from rainfall, which will bring the entire country under<br />
about 7.5 meter water depth if there was no flow to the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, Bangladesh<br />
does not need to be concerned for water management as total annual available water may<br />
be enough for year-round use. However, rainfall distribution pattern and onrush of surface<br />
water over the year, makes a complex water environment in the country and causes flooding<br />
almost every year sometime during June to September. During this period of the year, the<br />
country receives over 90% of surface flow and rainfall thereby affects assured harvest of<br />
most crops during October to April without irrigation and due to flooding during June to<br />
September. Therefore, the country is to deal with too much and too little water environments<br />
during certain time of the year and thereby faces challenges for water management for<br />
sustainable agricultural production, safety of infrastructures and safe water for household<br />
purposes. In this paper, water harvesting has been selected in place of rainwater harvesting<br />
intentionally as under Bangladesh context it is not possible to separate water volumes<br />
received from these two sources during June to September when the country receives about<br />
90% of total annual water. Conservation and effective use of this huge water volume is very<br />
important for sustainable agricultural development and reliable safe drinking water supply<br />
over reaming period of the year.<br />
Through conjunctive use of ground and surface water, about 76% of the cultivable<br />
area can be irrigated of which about 60% are presently under irrigation. About 75% of the<br />
irrigated area use groundwater since the country does not have full control over surface<br />
water flow. Unfortunately, in recent years, water quality during the dry season is deteriorated<br />
due to arsenic contamination of groundwater and deserves immediate action for its<br />
mitigation. Rainfall distribution and surface water availability pattern, salinity in coastal<br />
area and arsenic contamination during dry months have become a limiting factor for supply<br />
of good quality water for drinking purpose in Bangladesh. With possible low cost treatment/<br />
purification this can be solved specially during the rainy season (May to October).<br />
Conservation of excess water received during rainy season and effective use of rain water<br />
and infrastructure developed so far can play important role in improving water availability<br />
in dry season if comprehensive use of the facilities are ensured. Improved management at<br />
local and national levels through government and social interventions can solve the problem<br />
and can ensure clean water for all.<br />
In coastal area, increased salinity during the dry months (February to May) causes<br />
problem in availability of good quality water both for human consumption and for<br />
*Executive Director, Center for Research and Development, Eastern University and Life Fellow, Institution of<br />
Engineers Bangladesh (IEB), House 15/2, Road 3, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh. Telephone: (88 02)<br />
9677523 & 8621419 Ext.301, Residence Phone (88 02) 9113832, Fax: (88 02) 9675981, E-mail:<br />
maghani@bdonline.com and maghani@easternuni.edu.bd<br />
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