Southwestern Bangladesh, particularly districts of Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat, is facing an escalating water crisis. Rising sea levels, tidal flooding and salinization of groundwater and surface water have drastically reduced potable water availability. The situation is worsened by reduced upstream river flow, excessive groundwater extraction, unplanned urbanization, and pollution from agrochemicals and industrial effluents.
Marking World Water Day 2025, these were discussed in a roundtable discussion on ''Addressing Freshwater Availability and Accessibility in Southwestern Coastal Zone of Bangladesh'' was held on Thursday, March 27, at Khulna University. The event, jointly organised by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh, the Soil, Water and Environment Discipline of Khulna University, and the Development Organisation of the Rural Poor-DORP, brought together key stakeholders to address the pressing issue of freshwater scarcity in the region.
Professor Md. Sanaul Islam, Head of Soil, Water and Environment Discipline at Khulna University, in his keynote address, outlined the severity of the issue. ''Freshwater availability is shrinking at an alarming rate. Aquifer salinization, pollution, and unregulated groundwater extraction are among the key factors threatening water security,'' he warned. He also highlighted the gendered impacts of water scarcity, noting that women and girls bear the disproportionate burden of fetching water from distant sources.
A panel discussion, featuring government officials, water experts, and development practitioners, explored sustainable and climate-resilient solutions. The panel included Md. Jamanur Rahaman, Superintending Engineer (Khulna Circle), DPHE; Professor Dr Md Mujibor Rahman, Head of Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University; Md. Asraful Alam, Executive Engineer, BWDB; and Faroque Ahmed, Programme Director, RUPANTAR.
Participants emphasized the need for preservation of freshwater sources, adoption of climate-resilient hybrid water technologies, and stronger policy interventions. Localized operation and management solutions were also discussed as crucial strategies to ensure sustainable water governance.
The roundtable called for increased investments in ensuring freshwater availability, particularly for the most affected communities in southwestern Bangladesh. ''Water insecurity is a multi-dimensional challenge, requiring coordinated efforts from local to national levels,'' remarked Mr. Mohammad Mahmodul Hasan, Domain Coordinator – Water, Food and Climate of HELVETAS Bangladesh, who facilitated the discussion.
As the event concluded, stakeholders collectively emphasized the need for research and capacity building to address long-term water challenges, the development of a comprehensive implementation plan that integrates climate adaptation strategies, and the establishment of a knowledge hub to promote best practices in water management. Strengthening water governance through policy reforms and institutional support was also highlighted, along with fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships that connect communities with national-level decision-makers to enhance water security.
The discussions underscored that World Water Day is not just a symbolic event but a global call for action. The participants agreed that protecting and efficiently managing Bangladesh’s freshwater resources is imperative to ensure sustainability for future generations.
As climate change continues to exacerbate water scarcity, the urgent need for integrated, science-driven, and community-led solutions has never been clearer. The roundtable has set the stage for stronger collaborations and policy advancements to address the freshwater crisis in Bangladesh’s coastal belt.
SH
