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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 />

475

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