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Press Release
3rd Bangladesh Convention on Rainwater Harvesting held
Dhaka, 09 March 2017: WaterAid Bangladesh in collaboration with International Training
Network (ITN-BUET), Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) India and RAiN
Forum has organised the 3rd Bangladesh Convention on Rainwater Harvesting (RWH).
The day-long convention took place today at city’s Lakeshore Hotel with the aim of
promoting rainwater harvesting as a sustainable solution to water scarcity, and explore
ideas, technological potentials, practices and experiences on RWH.
Md Shahid Ullah Khandaker, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Public Works has
graced the inaugural session of the conference as chief guest, H.E. Johan Frisell, the
Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh was present as the Special Guest, Dr. Sunita
Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment, India delivered the
keynote speech and Dr Md Khairul Islam delivered the welcome speech.
In the day-long convention with over 150 national and international participants from
different public, private and non-government organizations engaged in dialogue towards
RWH. The chief guest of the convention, Mr. Md Shahid Ullah Khandaker, Secretary,
Ministry of Housing and Public Works in his speech said, “Water is the basic element to
save our living ground-the earth. Rain distributes water across the world. But rapid
growth of population, urbanization, climate change is contaminating the surface and
ground water. Arsenic contamination, saline water in coastal areas, excessive lifting of
surface water is causing water crisis. We know rain is the main source of surface and
ground water, and there is now alternate to utilizing this resource to save our lives and
trees in the world. “
Special guest H.E. Johan Frisell, the Ambassador of Sweden in Bangladesh said, “We
face many challenges every day. Water is a major problem among them which we
cann’t ignore. To mitigate the water shortage and management problem rainwater
harvesting could play a vital role.“
Keynote speaker Dr. Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and
Environment, India said “In the early age, ground water of Bangladesh and India was
recharged from the rain water. But due to climate change rainfall has decreased. So we
will have to use each rain drops in the rainy season. We have to harvest rainwater in the
pond of rural areas and cities in roof top.’ She added, if we properly harvest rainwater
then we could avoid flood in the rainy season.
Dr Md Khairul Islam in his welcome speech said, ‘RWH is a practical, cost-effective, and
sustainable solution to many of the issues surrounding water management in
Bangladesh, and can not only mitigate water scarcity, but contribute to increased
resilience against climate change, reducing waterlogging, and restoring water-related
ecosystems.
Prof. Dr. Feroze Ahmed, Vice Chancellor, Stamford University Bangladesh; and Dr ABM
Badruzzaman, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (BUET) were present in the convention as Session Chairs
and Dr. Toufiq M Seraj, Managing Director, Sheltech Pvt. Ltd; Mr Arjen Naafs, Regional
Technical Advisor-South Asia, WaterAid UK; Dr. M Ashraf Ali, Director, International
Training Network, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (ITN-BUET);
Dr Mahreen Matto, Programme Manager, Water Management Centre for Science and
Environment, India; Dr Kazi Matin U Ahmed, Professor, Department of Geology,
University of Dhaka and Mr Arnoud Keizer, Consultant, Rain Foundation, Netharlands
presented relevant papers in both of the sessions.
All the presenters in the convention focused on the best practices of rainwater
harvesting; geographical context specific challenges of rainwater harvesting; rainwater
and quality issues in different geographic locations; legal framework, policy, strategy
and challenges of rainwater harvesting and technological options and innovations in
rainwater harvesting.
WaterAid Bangladesh and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) India have been
organising capacity enhancement programs on urban rainwater harvesting since 2010.
The joint endeavours have already contributed in capacity enhancement of more than
150 professionals (Architect, Engineer, Planners, and Academicians) on urban
rainwater harvesting in Bangladesh. As a part of popularising and promoting rainwater
harvesting in Bangladesh, similar Rainwater Conventions in 2012 and 2014 and Rain
Days in 2011, 2013 and 2015 were celebrated successfully.
For Further information: www.rainwaterconvention.org/
and
Faysal Abbas
Manager, Advocacy & Communications
WaterAid Bangladesh
Mobile: +880 173 033 4040
[email protected]
Tareq
Senior Consultant
Impact PR
Mobile: +880 1841050555
[email protected]