On 13 November 2019, a workshop on “Sediment and Salinity in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh” has been arranged under Delta Wings Activity Fund 2019, organized by Institute of Water Modelling on behalf of the Delta Alliance Bangladesh Wing. The invitation can be found here. Mr. Kabir Bin Anwar, Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources of Bangladesh and Chairperson, IWM Board of Trustees graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The workshop was chaired by Prof. Dr. M Monowar Hossain, Executive Director, Institute of Water Modelling and Coordinator Delta Alliance Bangladesh Wing.

Mr Kabir Bin Anwar, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources speaking as Chief Guest of the Workshop

Prof. Dr. Umme Kulsum Navera, Department of Water Resources Engineering (WRE) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology presented the Keynote paper on ‘Sediment and Salinity in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh”. She discussed the present delta condition with the pros and cons of delta management in Bangladesh. She presented her speech considering most recently researches carried out by different researchers all over the world on Bangladesh Delta. She mainly focused on the climate change impact on sediment movement, scarcity of fresh drinking water, salinity intrusion and the sufferings and resilience of people at the coastal area. She concluded with the urge of conducting funding projects on delta should be integrated and well planned with an emphasis on sufferings of coastal people due to scarcity of drinking water.

Prof. Dr. Umme Kulsum Navera presenting the keynote paper in the Workshop

After the keynote speech, Mr Malik Fida A Khan, Executive Director (in-charge), CEGIS; Dr. Ansarul Karim, Managing Director, ECOMAC; Md. Majibur Rahman, DG (Additional Secretary), DBHWD; Dr. Khandakar Azharul Haq, Regional Chair, GWP South Asia shared their insights on delta plan Bangladesh in light of the keynote. Discussion by the designated discussants were followed by a lively open discussion moderated by the Chair.

Chief Guest Mr. Kabir Bin Anwar, Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources of Bangladesh shared some initiatives of ministry regarding the delta like plantation of Babla tree, excavation of 25 large ponds in coastal Upazila as a remedy of drinking water scarcity, rejuvenation of local canals in all districts as for the navigation and source of surface water. He encouraged all the researches to carry out intensive study with co-ordination to alleviate estuary and floodplain management in face of climate change.

 
Participants in the Workshop

Special Guest Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Director General, WARPO and Engr. Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Director General, BWDB shared their institutional involvement and initiatives regarding the delta issues. In his speech of the Chairperson, Professor Dr. Monowar Hossain briefed about the Delta Alliance, delta opportunities and sustainability of Bangladesh. He mentioned that sustainability of Bangladesh depends on the delta management as being a delta country. He presented a summary of the involvement of IWM in delta, sediment and climate change research. In the end, Mr Abu Saleh Khan, DED (Operation) of IWM concluded the workshop by delivering his vote of thanks for participating and sharing valuable perceptions regarding the “Sediment and Salinity in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh”.

Prof. Dr M Monowar Hossain, Executive Director, IWM and Coordinator, DABW speaking as Chairperson of the Workshop