With the participation of major donors and high level policy makers from the government, a national consultation meeting took place on the problem of water-logging in the southwest of Bangladesh on Saturday, 16 January 2016, at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in Dhaka.

The southwest region has periodically experienced localized and prolonged water-logging over the past 20 years, with a negative impact on the environment, economic development and on the living conditions of many thousands of people.

Outputs and findings of the mapping exercise, carried out by FAO in three sub-districts (Tala, Abhoynagar and Keshabpur) during 2014-15 with DFID funding, was presented at the consultation (Downloadable link below). The session reviewed the recommendations of the study and discussed next steps to address the issues related to water-logging.

All participants welcomed the initiative of the United Nations, bringing together stakeholders from district administration, water development board, local government engineering department, extension departments, NGOs and civil society.

Discussion covered possible technical solutions, further research needs, allocation of institutional responsibilities and the need for improved coordination and planning.

As evidence of the government’s commitment to tackle the problem – which recurs frequently and may affect up to 50,000 households in Satkhira district alone, Dr. Mashiur Rahman, Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister and Chief Guest of the meeting, said that integrated approaches involving civil service and national politics will be required to address the complex issues of water-logging. He also indicated that adequate information and data bases are required for long term solutions to multi-dimensional problems such as water-logging and planning will require a holistic overview rather than a more narrowly project-focused approach.

In her remarks, elected MP for Keshabpur, and State Minister for Public Administration, Ms Ismat Ara Siddique, elaborated on the extent of suffering of her community. She said “Coordination among the working agencies with both short and long term planning is vital to addressing the problem, and will bring in expected outcomes.”

Mr Shyamal Kanti Ghosh, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, chaired the session. Participation of other notable guests included the chairman of PKSF, Dr QK Ahmed; the DGs of Department of Agriculture Extension and Department of Livestock Services; senior planning chiefs from water board and engineering; the Deputy Commissioner from Satkhira; as well as Upazila Nirbahi Officers and Upazila Chairmen from affected upazilas.

Useful links:

Download link to the Consultation proceedings: bit.ly/29loXkx 

The full text of the draft report of the study is available at: 

fscluster.org/bangladesh/document/mapping-exercisewater-logging-south

Download link for the presentation by Mike Robson, FAOR: http://bit.ly/1V7NzN8

For further information, please mail directly to Gazi Hossain at [email protected]