SONALI BAG from Jute | Best Polythene Alternative | Made in Bangladesh

Jute is a traditional financial crop of Bangladesh. At present, over eight lac hectares of land are cultivating jute and related crops. With the United Nations announcement of the year 2009 as "international natural fiber year" and due to increasing of environmental awareness in developed countries, the popularity or use of environmental catastrophes products is declining steadily around the world.

A new era was started by Professor Mubarak Ahmed Khan, chief scientific adviser of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC). Through the invention of his eco-friendly poly-bag made from jute, a new dream in the jute sector has already started becoming true.

Sonali Bag:

The golden bag is a type of polythene bag made from jute. Professor Mobarak Ahmed Khan, a Bangladeshi scientist, discovered this process of producing polythene bags from jute. After invention of the golden bag, the experimental production began on May 2017 in Latif Bawani Jute Mills. The factory started producing environment friendly 2000 pieces of polybags from Jute's cellulose. Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has named this polythene bag from jute as ‘SONALI BAG’.

Method of making Sonali Bag from Jute:

Structurally, the jute is composed of complex polymers consisting mainly of cellulose 75%, hemicelluloses 15% and lignin 10%. Besides, because of the small amount of fat, wax, nitrogenous matter, beta-carotene and xanthophylls, jute is deciduous and environment friendly. In 2017, Professor Mubarak Ahmed Khan, a noted scientist of the Atomic Energy Commission, invented the Sonali Bag from Jute cellulose which is very much environmentally friendly.

First, cellulose is extracted from the waste jute fibers that are thrown away from the jute mills. These cellulose which is insoluble in water, is subsequently modified using some chemical products. Cross-linkers are mixed with soluble cellulose. The chemical reaction is carried out inside a drawer machine at a particular temperature. It dries out of the machine in the form of plastic sheets. Later the sheet gets polybag shape by cutting. It is possible to get one kilogram of polythene from one kilogram of jute.

More than 50 percent of cellulose is present in the bags produced. This waterproof polybag costs from BD Taka 250 to 300 per kg. But if the bag is manufactured and marketed commercially, the price will be further reduced. Fully digestible and environment friendly, the bag lasts for about five hours in water and then begins to melt slowly. Since there is not any harmful chemicals so it increases soil fertility by completely mixing within 5-6 months. It looks like a normal polythene bags of the market, but it is one and a half times more durable and stronger than usual polyethylene bags. This bag can be used as packaging material for specially made garments and also for storing food items.

Impact of polythene on the environment:

More than one million polyethylene bags in every minute are used in the world. Only one percent of it is processed for recycling and 10 percent is dumped into the sea. These polybags will not digest and won’t mix with the soil for a hundred years. It will harm people with harmful effects, including large numbers of birds and aquatic animals. In Bangladesh, the production of polythene started on a commercial basis in 1982. Due to the excessive use of polythene, in 1998 the sewerage system was disrupted in various cities including the capital of the country. Then, production, marketing and sale of polythene bags were prohibited by law in the country in 2002. Despite various government initiatives, the use of polythene could not be controlled as there was no cheap and other alternative.

Importance as an alternative to polythene:

The importance of polythene made by jute as an alternative to present polythene is understood from the decision to ban polythene that is a serious risk to the environment around the world. Bangladesh has banned the use of polythene with 72 countries of the world. In all countries, there are punishments for the use of polythene but the use could not be stopped. The Kenyan government issued a rule to arrest anyone after seeing with polythene in hand. The Ugandan airport had provisions for arresting anyone with polythene. But since polythene had no alternative, it could not be implemented for long. Ireland's government has imposed additional taxes to reduce the use of polythene bags. Portugal, Spain also started same actions. European Parliament is going to implement a law banning polythene bags in European countries since 2020.

Several countries are interested to buy Sonali Bags from Bangladesh:

Already the Melbourne City Council authorities in Australia have expressed interest in buying the bag to keep the city polythene-free and a US-based business firm in Dubai has placed order to buy 25,000 pieces of polybags a month. On October 2019, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and an NDA were signed with a UK company for commercial production of Sonali Bags from Jute. Recently, countries in the world, including Italy, Brazil, Bhutan, China, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Taiwan, Tanzania, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, have started reducing use of environmental harmful elements, including synthetic polybags.

Various steps of the Bangladesh Government:

Formulation of capital policy EcoTax is being imposed on polythene reforms and use of products. For the protection of the environment the ‘Wrap Act 2010’ has been announced for wrap 17 types of products including fertilizers, sugar, rice etc. For these products the use of jute wrap is mandatory for sale, distribution and supply. The provision for use of wrappers made of all jute-made products is made as a wrapper of the products produced by all public and private organizations. If the use of jute wrapping in the product is fully implemented, the demand for jute bags in the country will increase from 90,000 to 840 million pcs in the country. The government has taken initiatives to establish a Jute Village at a cost of Taka 2,000 crore in 200 acres land beside Padma River to provide the raw materials for making multipurpose jute products. From January 2019, the Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation has been working to produce 25,000 pcs bags daily. As a result, the future of Bangladesh's golden jute may change.

There is currently a global demand for 500 billion deciduous polybags. If we can produce jute sonali bag to meet this demand of the world, it will start a new trend in Bangladesh economy. Private investment should be encouraged alongside the government. Sonali Bags will be hugely popular as an alternative to polythene bags if the cost can be reduce. Currently investing the entire jute produced in our country, it is possible to meet one third of the global demand. If we can ensure the use of jute fibers internally, it will be possible to get a fair price of the jute, as well as to bring the fallen land under jute cultivation, and to make possible progress in the jute sector. New opportunities for jute will be exposed. And the jute will remove the use of polythene forever that is destroying the environment.

Thanks,

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Exotic or Foreign Fruits in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has recently achieved considerable success in producing fruits. According to the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fruit production in Bangladesh has increased at an average rate of 11 percent per year for the past 18 years, which has not happened in any other country in the world.

Foreign fruits on the soil of Bangladesh:

We call Lichu (litchi) a Bangladeshi fruit. But once, this litchi fruit also came from far away China, and even the name Lichu is not a Bangla name, it’s Chinese. Thus, many of the fruits that we now know as indigenous fruits, have come from abroad and made their way to the soil of our country. They have slowly become popular. That trend continues, and will be in the future.

Over the past decade, at least 20 foreign fruits have arrived in this country. These are Strawberry, Dragon Fruit, Malta, Rambutan, Sour Soap or tok aata, Alobokhara, Mangosteen, Canistel or Zaman Fruit, Passion Fruit, Persimmon, Avocado, Cocoa, Grape, Peach fruit, Cherry, Longan, Saudi Khorma, Bread Fruit, Shantol, Rock Mellon, etc.

There are also many exotic fruits came before, such as almonds. In addition, some fruits that were in this country, but with the advent of some new varieties, there has been a great change in the cultivation and production of those fruits, such as Thai guava. With these varieties of Thailand guava, we can now eat delicious guavas all year long.

Likewise, the delicious mango varieties Katimon which can be found around the year or un-season, Brunei king mango which weighing two or three kilograms, mango palmar in red gourd, long varieties of yellow mango like bananas, and even Amrapali which are soaked in the soil of the country. Thai Jamrul, sweet arbaroi, sweet cinnamon, sweet karmacha, sweet kamranga, color sharifa, dwarfs coconut, non-seasonal watermelons etc are now available here.

Bangladeshi Local Fruits:

The most common and popular fruit varieties that cultivated commercially inside the country, such as jackfruit, mango, guava, banana, pineapple, watermelon, papaya, litchi, coconut, jujube (kul-boroi), various lemons. These are called seasonal conventional fruits of Bangladesh.

Among the obsolete fruits of the country are bell (Bengal quince), Kodbel/bael, tetul (tamarind), Amra fruit (hog plum), olive, Jaam/Jam/Kalojaam (Jambul), jamrul (water apple), gulapjam (rose jaamun), orange, chinar, lukuki/torfoi, deua, kamranga, karmacha, etc. Various wild fruits are bet-fal, chapalish jackfruit, timtoah, akura, butijaam, putijaam, kaufal, boiychi, wood peanut, wild peanut, wild/forest mango etc.

Reduce fruit import:

Due to the scarcity and demand of fruits, there are currently some exotic fruits available in this market. Among these are apples, grapes, oranges, pears, pomegranate, kiwi, dragon fruit, persimmon, mango, avocado, etc. Foreign fruit imports have been gradually declining due to continuous fruit production in the country and interest of human in domestic fruits. The quantity of fruit imported from abroad was around 3,56000 tons in 2017-18 year but in 2018-19 it was reduced to around 3,00,000 tons.

Research on fruits:

A total of 177 modern varieties of 40 different species of fruits have been invented by various research and educational institutes in this country. Of these:

• Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) invented 84 varieties fruits of 35 species
• Bangladesh Agricultural University has invented 84 varieties fruits of 24 species
• Patuakhali University of Science and Technology has invented 7 varieties of 5 species
• Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University has invented two varieties of two species

In addition, several technologies have been developed for fruit cultivation. Fruit production is increasing day by day with the expansion and use of these varieties and technologies.

Thanks,

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Bangladesh will be a Land of Fruits

Bangladesh has recently achieved considerable success in producing fruits. According to the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fruit production in Bangladesh has increased at an average rate of 11 percent per year for the past 18 years, which has not happened in any other country in the world.

Bangladesh is now the second largest producer of jackfruit in the world, seventh to mango, eighth to Guava, fourteenth to papaya. In the last decade, the consumption of fruits of this country has become more than doubled.

Guava and watermelon are now available in the market almost all year long, which was unimaginable even a decade ago. Growth of fruit cultivation land, creation of commercial fruit gardens, expansion of fruit trees in habitat, good management of fruit trees, research, increase of people's interest in eating native fruits, introduction of new foreign fruits etc. have been instrumental in increasing the overall fruit production of the country.

A Country of Fruits:

Although Bangladesh is very small on the world map but it is full of fruits. More than four hundred species of fruits are produced in South Asian countries, of which over 100 species are produced in this country. It is said that the number of fruit varieties cultivated in Bangladesh is around 70. Number of fruits that are not cultivated here but people eat are around 60. In total, people of our country consume more than 130 varieties of fruits.

The most common and popular fruit varieties that cultivated commercially, such as mango, jackfruit, banana, guava, pineapple, papaya, watermelon, litchi, jujube (kul-boroi), coconut, various lemons. These are called seasonal conventional fruits of Bangladesh.

Among the local / deshi fruits of the country are bell (Bengal quince), Kodbel/bael, tetul (tamarind), Amra fruit (hog plum), olive, Jaam/Jam/Kalojaam (Jambul), jamrul (water apple), gulapjam (rose jaamun), orange, chinar, lukuki/torfoi, deua, kamranga, karmacha, etc. Various wild fruits are bet-fal, chapalish jackfruit, timtoah, akura, butijaam, putijaam, kaufal, boiychi, wood peanut, wild peanut, wild/forest mango etc.

Less than 1 percent of the whole cultivable land in this country is producing fruits, from which more than 5 million tons of fruits are produced annually. Of all the fruits, only mango, jackfruit and banana are produced together 63 percent of the total production where 25 percent is mango. In many forests and rural forests, wild fruits are grown, most of which are feeds of birds and wild animals.

As a means of producing the cultivated fruits, our daily current availability of fruits is 82 grams per person, but we should eat 200 grams daily. That means we can now meet 43 percent of our needs every day, if we can practice eating leftovers, then the production of fruits should be increased. In line with the population growth rate, we have to produce about 15 million tons of fruits yearly within 2030.

Research on Fruits:

A total of 177 modern varieties of 40 species of fruits have been invented by various research and educational institutes in this country. Of these, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has invented 84 varieties fruits of 35 species, Bangladesh Agricultural University has invented 84 varieties fruits of 24 species, Patuakhali University of Science and Technology has invented 7 varieties of 5 species, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University have two varieties of two species. In addition, several technologies have been developed for fruit cultivation. Fruit production is increasing day by day with the expansion and use of these varieties and technologies.

All Season / Twelve months Fruits in Bangladesh:

Throughout the year we do not get all the fruits. It was seen that from May to August- around 54 % of the total fruits produced in these four months, and in the remaining eight months 46 percent. In fact, in the last five years, this figure of fruit production in Bangladesh has changed a lot. Large number of guava, watermelon, malta, oranges etc. produced now during the non-monsoon season, especially from September to April.

We are also producing fruits in the season other than the main season. Bananas and papas are available throughout the year. With the invention and introduction of some modern varieties, mangoes are now available for about seven months a year, once it was not available for more than two or three months. The quantity of fruit imported from abroad was around 3,56000 tons in 2017-18 year but in 2018-19 it was reduced to around 3,00,000 tons.

Fruits are more produced in side courtyard and surrounding lands in Bangladesh more than fruit-gardens. Therefore, if possible for the availability of fruits for twelve months, some fruit trees can be planted in every habitat. Such as:

• Malta (January)
• Kul (February)
• Bel (March)
• Sharifa and Aata (April)
• Jaam (May)
• Mango, litchi (June)
• Jackfruit (July)
• Guava (August)
• Amara (September)
• Olive (October)
• Pomegranate (November)
• Kamala lebu or Mandarin Orange (December)

Thus, the production of fruits can be increased further throughout the year by cultivating the fruits by planning.

Thanks,

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About BORI | Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute

Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) is the first and only national institution on Bangladesh that will be able to play an important role ensuring the development and utilization of the country's maritime resources and plays a leading role in the study of marine science. In the wake of Bangladesh's victory in the maritime boundary case with Myanmar on 18 March 2012 and India on 7 July 2014, Bangladesh has acquired 1,18,813 sq km ocean area, a special economic zone of 200 nautical miles, continent from Chittagong coast to 345 nautical miles.

If you can ensure the proper utilization of the resources of this area which is almost equal to Bangladesh's total land area, Bangladesh's economy will move at a rapid pace. Given the immense potential for the development of tourism, including the establishment of deep sea ports, development of coastal management, mineral resources and proper utilization of sea resources, the interest of the international community towards the sea-based economy (Blue Economy) of Bangladesh is increasing.

The potential of this newly-emerged sector in the country is limitless. For this reason, Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) will be able to play an important role in the study of maritime affairs and the creation of skilled manpower. The institute will work to conduct all activities as a focal point of Bangladesh at the national and international level on maritime affairs. The Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute will assist in conducting its own research, as well as the research work of other domestic foreign bodies, colleges and universities.

Establishment History:

• Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took the initiative in 1973 to establish a maritime research institute in order to enrich the country's economy and reduce poverty in the country by collecting and conserving valuable resources of the Bay of Bengal. But after the brutal and tragic massacre of Bangabandhu in 1975, the initiative ceased.

• Later in 1996, the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina set up a review committee to establish the National Marine Science Institute.

• Following the recommendation of the review committee, the decision was made to establish a National Marine Science Research Institute in the 2000. The project titled "Establishment of National Marine Research Institute Phase-1" was adapted from June 2000 to July 2005 under the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure the proper utilization of marine resources.

• In 2009 the visible progress of establishing Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute was achieved with the solemn initiative of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

• At the ECNEC meeting on 02/07/2009, when the proposal for establishing an institute on 4 acres of land was presented, the Prime Minister increased the amount of land to 40 acres. The prime Minister directed to re-present the project, including laboratories, residential buildings, marine aquariums and wind power, in the project area.

• Within 2010, the acquisition of 40 acres of land was completed at Jungle Goalia Palang Mouza in Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar district. Currently, the project is being implemented at a cost of BD Taka 102.80 crore.

• Under the project titled "Establishment of National Oceanic Research Institute (1st Stage-2nd revised)", a three-storey institute building with laboratories, three officer's quarters, two staff quarters, director general's residence, staff dormitory, officer’s dormitory, club building, rest house, ansar bhaban and a school-cum-community buildings, a total of thirteen buildings have been constructed.

• Also 66 types of scientific research instruments for ocean research have been brought.

Present Workforce:

At present, total 14 peoples including 1 senior scientific officer, 3 scientific officers, 1 administrative officer, and other employees are working for the overall implementation of the project. Moreover, there are 16 Ansar guards for the security of the Institute and 8 daily based cleaners are working to keep the Institute clean.

Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) has been developed into a standalone institution. It is the first and only national institute of oceanography in Bangladesh. This organization will be able to play an important role in the innovation and development of the country's maritime resources and will play a leading role in revenue generation. Multiple research and development activities will be conducted in each of the research departments. Successful implementation of the current action plan will be possible through the development of sustainable technologies in the country, including poverty alleviation programs and the achievement of various UN development goals.

In future, research activities will be expanded. Bangladesh will emerge as a prosperous and developed country at the base of the earth through the use of maritime resources if it can effectively manage this institute for the purpose of undertaking maritime research activities, applying research findings and managing and controlling all related activities.

For more details please visit the official website of the BORI.

Thanks,

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Weekend Holiday Market in Dhaka City

This year in the Holy Ramadan, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has approved five special open holiday market at five different places in the capital city Dhaka.

Based on press release signed by Dhaka South City Corporation's Chief Property Officer and Deputy Secretary Mohammad Asaduzzaman, this information was given in a press release on 9^th May, 2019.

Five special open holiday market at five different places are as follows:

Motsho Bhaban- From Carpet Golly to Shilpakala Academy, Motshoya Bhaban:

Kataban Area- From Nalar Par, Kataban first lane towards Shahbagh moor:

Motijheel Ideal School- Front road of the Motijheel Ideal School and College:

Dilkusha Road- Near Bok Chattar (Balaka More) to Pubali Bank link road:

Jatrabari Area- East side of Jatrabari Chourasta:

All of these holiday markets will be temporary basis. These markets will be open from 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM on weekends during the Holy Ramadan.

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Rice Varieties in Bangladesh | BINA and BRRI

The cultivation of various rice varieties invented by BINA (Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture) is now harvesting in 20 countries around the world. The scientists of this institute are working to invent more varieties whose will be tolerant for Flood, Saline and Drought etc.

By utilizing the nuclear tactics, Bangladesh has so far cultivated 60 varieties of crops. Around 8 percent of the total crop produced in Bangladesh is coming from these varieties. And in terms of quantity, it is about 4.5 million metric tons. This variety of crops is playing an important role in the livelihood of the people of rural areas and poverty reduction of the country. Also helping the farmers to dealing with some natural disasters and dangers like climate change, salinity, flood and drought etc.

A report has been published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the United Nations on 14^th February, 2019 regarding this matter. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, due to climate change, there are many types of hazards in Bangladesh. But the scientists of Bangladesh are inventing varieties of crops that can withstand these dangers and disasters, which are imitative in the world.

In addition to the traditional use of technology and hard work in agricultural sector, the BINA has been playing a major and important role in the success of agriculture sector. The chief scientific officer of Bangladesh Atomic Research Institute (BINA), Mr. Mirza Mofazzul Islam, is leading the nuclear agriculture research. He has invented 13 varieties of crop alone and seven varieties jointly. In addition to rice, there are various varieties of jute, spinach, tomato, mugdal (pulses) etc has been invented.

According to BINA, the cultivation of saline tolerant rice BINA-8, which was invented by Mirza Mofazzal Islam, is being cultivating in 20% of the coastal areas of the country. In 20 countries around the world including India, Nepal, the Philippines and Thailand, this saline tolerant rice has been taken and grown in various areas. Recently other varieties such as BINA-7, 8, 11 and 12 were taken by agricultural ministries of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka for harvesting in those countries.

Mr. Mirza Mofazzul Islam of Bangladesh is working as a consultant to set up a nuclear agricultural research center in Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone and Myanmar. In 2014, Mirza Mofazzal Islam awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award in the field of nuclear research, according to the IAEA and the World Food Agency (FAO). Scientists from eight countries of the world get the award on that year. Apart from Bangladesh, Peru, China, Indonesia and Vietnam received the prize.

Discussions in various international forums are happening in the world as a species of crop capable of tackling climate change in the world. Regularly, these varieties are being wanted from different countries of the world for their cultivation in their own country.

Farmers of Bangladesh are producing crops by fighting against natural disasters from long ago. BINA scientists are giving these seeds to the farmers by inventing new varieties of tolerant plants with these unfavorable environments. Bangladesh is facing new challenges, finding more safe crops with less water. BINA and other agriculture related wings are working to solve this issue.

As per the Report of IAEA, the biggest danger of climate change is increasing of salinity in the coastal areas. As a result, around one million acres of land on this area of Bangladesh will not be capable of harvesting. Due to increased salinity, 27 million people of Bangladesh will be forced to move elsewhere by 2050. BINA invented varieties is being cultivating in these areas. The scientists of the BINA are hoping that if the cultivation of saline tolerant and hybrid rice varieties is continuing, then there will be additional 6 million tons of rice will be produce in the country.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, production of BINA-8 varieties of rice is increasing steadily in coastal areas of the country. Before inventing of the new varieties by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), the BRRI-47, BRRI-61 and BRRI-67 were cultivated. In recent years the popularity of the BINA-7 and 8 are becoming popular day by day. Especially in Faridpur, Gopalganj, Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat districts these varieties is cultivating.

The flood was the biggest danger of the country's cropping in the flood season. If most of the rice was drowning even for three to five days under the water then crop would have been damaged and the yield would decrease. Without the BINA-7 and BINA-12 invented in 2018, the crop is protected from the dangers of floods. The maximum tolerable days in under water for these varieties is 24 days which is really a surprise for the farmers. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), these varieties are very popular for farmers in the central and northern regions of Bangladesh.

The popular Aman variety of the country produces only three to four tons per acre of land. The BINA-17 variety is producing around seven tons per acre. It has been seen as an extension of the production of aman in the country as it is being played as an important role in the development of agriculture.

In 2011, a drought tolerant rice variety from Uganda called NERICA was brought to Bangladesh for cultivation and further research. This variety was not very popular in Uganda due to various reasons. BINA scientists started researching the NERICA-10 species and in the last year of August 2016, they invented BINA-21 variety from Nerica. This variety can be cultivated in water by 40 percent less. At the same time it consumes 30 percent less urea fertilizers.

The chief of Plant Breeding and Genetics Department of the joint nuclear research department of IAEA and FAO, Ljupcho Jankuloski commented on the dangers of climate change that have come to Bangladesh, these varieties may be considered as weapons of Bangladesh.

BINA conducts its research activities in ten different areas. These are: Crop improvement through induced mutation, Biotechnology, Soil management and bio-fertilizer, Irrigation and water management, Pest management, Physiological aspects of crop productivity, Crop management, Improvement of horticultural crops, Technology transfer & impact assessment, and Socio-economic research.

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About The Ministry of Water Resources | MoWR BD

The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) is the apex body of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for development and management of the whole water resources of the country. It formulates policies, plans, strategies, guidelines, instructions and acts, rules, regulations, etc. relating to the development and management of water resources, and regulation and control of the institutions reporting to it.

The Ministry of Water Resources prepares and implements development projects relating to flood control and drainage (FCD); flood control, drainage and irrigation (FCDI); riverbank erosion control; delta development and land reclamation; etc. and provides irrigation, drainage, flood protection, bank erosion protection, land reclamation facilities by constructing barrages, regulators, sluices, canals, cross-dams, embankments and sea-dykes along the banks of the rivers and the coast, etc.

The Ministry, through its implementing arm -the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), implements the FCD/FCDI and other development projects. It also collects, processes, stores and disseminates hydrological and hydraulic data and information through BWDB. It provides flood forecasting and warning information through Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) of BWDB. The Ministry prepared the Guidelines for Participatory Water Management (GPWM) and that is being widely followed by the stakeholders at all levels.

The Ministry through its macro-planning arm –the Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO) prepared National Water Policy, the Coastal Zone Policy, National Water Resources Database (NWRD), National Water Management Plan (NWMP) and Integrated Coastal Resources Database (ICRD). Data can be collected from WARPO for nominal charges.

The Ministry has also research and coordinating institutions such as River Research Institute (RRI) responsible for physical and mathematical water modeling; Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Board (BHWDB) for the development of Haors and wetlands; Institute of Water Modeling for mathematical water modeling; and Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) for integrated environmental analysis using GIS, remote sensing (RS), database and IT. The Joint Rivers Commission, Bangladesh acts as the secretariat of the Ministry for dealing with the sharing and management of the waters of the trans-boundary Rivers.

Other principal activities of the Ministry include expansion of irrigated areas, water conservation, surface and groundwater use, estuary control, anti-salinity measures and anti-desertification activities, re-excavation of canals and rehabilitation of embankments, international cooperation, liaison with the international organizations, processing matters relating to treaties and agreements with other countries and world bodies in the field of water development and management. According to the National Water Policy, 1999 the Ministry is responsible for formulation of a framework for institutional reforms to guide all water sector related activities and will:

• Exercise water allocation power in identified scarcity zones on the basis of specified priorities and determine the priority for allocating water during critical periods;
• Sustain shallow groundwater aquifers, regulating the extraction of water in identified scarcity zones with full public knowledge;
• Prepare specific drought monitoring and contingency plans for each region experiencing recurrent seasonal shortage of water etc;
• Empower local government or any other body, to allocate water in scarcity zones during periods of severe drought, monitor the water regimes and enforce the regulations etc;
• Confer water rights on private and community bodies to provide secure, defensible and enforceable rights to ground/surface water etc;
• Ensure the minimum requirement of stream-flows for maintaining the conveyance of the channel.

Achievements:

The task of operation and maintenance of completed projects is vested with the Ministry. Operation and maintenance program of these completed projects is an ongoing activity.

• An O & M program of these projects and other ancillary work of Tk 2810.00 million is being undertaken in the current fiscal year 2007-2008.
• Under the current Annual Development Program (ADP) (Revised) 2007-08, the Ministry has been implementing 72 investment (including 2 study projects) and 3 technical assistance projects with a development budget of Tk 9379.40 million. Among the total 75 projects, 70 projects (including 2 TA projects) are being implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board. Other 5 projects are being implemented by WARPO (2 projects), Bangladesh Haor and Wet-Land Development Board (1 project) and River Research Institute (2 study projects).

The Ministry of Water Resources is a development ministry. The Ministry has 3 wings namely:

• Development Wing responsible for preparation, implementation and monitoring of the aided projects;
• Planning Wing responsible for processing of all projects for approval by the Planning Commission and preparation, implementation and monitoring of projects solely funded by GoB, and release of all funds of the development projects under ADP.
• Administrative Wing responsible for the administration of the Ministry and the organizations reporting to it.

Mandates of the Ministry of Water Resources:

• Regulation and development of rivers and river valleys.
• General policy and technical assistance in the field of irrigation, flood control, anti-water-logging, drainage and anti-erosions.
• All matters relating to irrigation, flood forecasting and warring, flood control, flood control works, causes off floods and damage caused by floods to irrigation projects, embankments, etc.
• Basic, fundamental and applied research on river valley projects and flood control works.
• International cooperation in the field of flood control and development of water resources.
• International commissions and conferences relating to irrigation, flood control and water resources management.
• Construction and maintenance of canals under W. D. B. Project; construction and maintenance of water control structures for the canals executed under the Canal Digging programme.
• Soil conservation drainage and water-logging.
• Storage of water and construction of reservoirs, embankment and barrages.
• Land reclamation, estuary control.
• Anti-salinity measures and anti-desertification.
• Hydrological survey and data collection.
• Matters relating to Joint Rivers Commission; Joint Committee, Standing Committee, etc and Common Border Rivers.
• Secretariat administration including financial matters.
• Administration and control of Subordinate office organization under this Ministry.
• Liaison with International Organization and matters relating to treaties and agreements with other countries and world bodies relating to subjects allotted to this Ministry.
• All laws on subject to this Ministry.
• Inquiries and statistics on any of the subject allotted to this Ministry.
• Fees in respect of any of the subjects allotted to this Ministry except fees taken in courts.

Source: MoWR BD. For further details please visit the website.

Thanks,


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