Review of law and policy to protect water bodies in Bangladesh

[Reyed Mia (Apprentice, DIU)]

Review of law and policy to protect water bodies in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a land of river/canals and large sources of drinking water.  Apart from natural water bodies, this country has innumerous artificially created water resources like, ponds, lakes and canals.  In order to eliminate the shortage of drinking water a large number of artificial reservoirs had been created here. But in course of time, the natural and artificial water reservoirs had been subjected to pollution, forceful possession and filling up.

In the recent years, the level of incidence of forceful possession of water bodies have grown in great numbers. The water bodies in this country are being forcefully possessed filled up and polluted both by Govt. and non-Govt. agencies.  Although there is no clear cut legislation towards protection of water bodies under private ownership, there are laws to protect the natural reservoirs.  But lack of coordination among the responsible department, weak enforcement of laws, limitation of proper planning and monitoring, due to lack of planning and foresight many a reservoirs in this land have been destroyed.

http://www.wbbtrust.org/view/article_details/22