Utilization and Conservation of Water Resources in Bangladesh

Abstract

Utilization of water resources in Bangladesh depends on their availability and conservation depends on storability subject to upstream conditions of the lower riparian countries. Bangladesh is located at the lower riparian region of the three major internationally famous rivers, namely the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna. Management and development of the water resources of the country is completely dependent on the availability of water from the transboundary rivers and annual distribution of rainfall. It has been recognized that Bangladesh experiences water shortages in the dry season and water abundance in the wet season, which significantly disrupt the agro-environmental practices and socio-economic activities of the country. To address the problems encountered due to water shortage or abundance, cooperation among the co-basin countries is needed, as well as proper utilization and conservation of water resources. Agro-environmental education now should focus on these issues with the perspective of Bangladesh as well as the global aspects. This paper describes the problems of water resources management and development, utilization and conservation options based on available data and information in the context of Bangladesh and possible remedial measures to address and overcome the problems.