The Daily Star, May 11. 2002

Water management plan hangs fire: PMO finds 'many loopholes' in draft

Shehab Ahmed


Despite an expenditure of Tk 65 crore under a World Bank aided project since 1998, 
the country is yet to have a National Water Management Plan (NWMP) for proper 
utilisation of its water resources, sources said. 

After approval of a draft NWMP by the Executive Committee of the National Water 
Council on January 28, it is now at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for review. 

Sources at the PMO could not say how long they would take to complete the review 
and approve or reject the draft plan.


They said the draft plan has not been approved as it contains 'many loopholes' as 
regards proper use of water resources. 

The plan prepared by local and foreign consultants said the country will be able to 
meet its requirements for the next 20 years with groundwater and will not need any 
surface water. 

Even in emphasising harnessing groundwater, the consultants have given 'contradictory' 
recommendations, the sources said.


A British consultant, M/s Halcrow, estimated 20 years' requirement at 60 billion cubic

metre and the groundwater reserve at about 90 billion cubic metre. An American consultant, 
Harza and Company, estimated the reserve at 31 billion cubic metre. But local experts 
estimate it at about 21 billion cubic metre.


They suggested harnessing groundwater without taking into consideration the situation 
in the country, particularly after signing of the Ganges water sharing treaty with India.


The draft plan did not give any direction as regards negotiations with India on review 
of the treaty, for which the country is preparing. It completely ignored the issue, the 
sources said. 

There are further instances of contradictory recommendations. It has recommended 
construction of a barrage at Mawa at the downstream of the combined flow of Brahmaputra 
and Ganges instead of one on Ganges to conserve the river water and prevent environmental 
disaster in the southwestern region of the country. 

One of the major shortcomings of the draft NWMP is lack of any assessment on availability 
of water at the upstream of Meghna and Brahmaputra, which is vital for any future planning 
for water use. 

It also failed to address the issue of increasing flows in old Brahmaputra, Dhaleswari, 
Ichhamati, Arialkhan and Gorai-Madhumati rivers during dry season. Increasing flows in 
these rivers is vital for revival of small rivers to help maintain navigation and 
irrigation, protect the environment and increase fish production. It would also help 
availability of surface water for water supply in cities including Dhaka and reducing 
dependence on groundwater. 

The ground water table is declining and there is the danger of arsenic contamination in 
it.


When the draft NWMP was published in March 2001, it evoked sharp criticism by water 
experts in the country. This resulted in non-approval of the draft plan by the then 
government. The consultants had submitted the draft NWMP to the then government in 
June 2001. 

After the new government took over, the Executive Committee of the National Water Council 
approved it on January 26 after a review by the water resources ministry, the sources said.