Desk Report:
Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that water is not only a source of life, it is a symbol of equality and fairness. It is necessary to build a just and sustainable future by ensuring safe and sufficient water for all. He said that proper action plans and steps must be taken for sustainable water resources management.
He said these things as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organized on the occasion of World Water Day-2026 at Pani Bhaban on Panthapath in the capital on Monday (March 30, 2026). State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad was present at the time.
The Water Resources Minister emphasized on taking initiatives to create public awareness about the importance of water. He said that on the one hand, flood waters cause suffering to people, while on the other hand, people’s lives and livelihoods are disrupted due to lack of water during droughts. The 2024 floods caused widespread waterlogging in Sylhet, Comilla, Noakhali and Lakshmipur districts. He called on the heads of ministries and organizations to take proper action plans and necessary steps regarding water.
The minister further said that martyred President Ziaur Rahman had started the canal digging program to get rid of floods. The current government has already inaugurated canal digging in 54 districts. 1200 kilometers of canals will be dug in 180 days and 20 thousand kilometers of canals will be dug nationwide in the next five years.
State Minister for Water Resources Azad said that water is closely related to the lives and livelihoods of people and socio-economic conditions. Effective steps need to be taken to protect the northern region from desertification and the southern region from salinity. He called on all concerned to work together to ensure safe and potable water for future generations.
Water Resources Ministry Secretary Dr. AKM Shahabuddin chaired the discussion meeting, and Water Resources and Climate Change Expert Dr. Ainun Nishat spoke as the main discussant. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, CEO of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), and Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman, Professor of Water Resources Strategy Department of BUET, spoke online as discussants. Md. Enayet Ullah, Director General of Bangladesh Water Development Board, delivered the welcome speech at the event.
