DHAKA, June 11, 2024 (BSS)-Experts at a workshop have stressed carrying out afforestation programme with nature-based solutions in Hatia in Noakhali district aiming to protect the island from coastal erosion, sea level rise and other natural disasters.  
 
They also recommended adopting shore protection works, construction of dams, harbours and water management infrastructure and canal digging in Hatia. 

They underscored the need for protecting riverbanks to prevent erosion, increasing the height of dams to strengthen the polders to deal with climate change impacts and sea level rise and constructing and renovating the water management infrastructure to improve drainage management.

In association with Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Institute of Water Modeling (IWM) and Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) jointly arranged the workshop on ‘integrated water resources management and development in Noakhali’ at Pani Bhaban in the capital yesterday, a press release said today.

Water Resources Secretary Nazmul Ahsan was present at the workshop as chief guest while Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources ANM Bazlur Rashid was present as guest of honour with BWDB Director General Muhammad Amirul Haq Bhuiya in the chair. 

BWDB Additional Director Generals Md.Zohirul Islam, AKM Tahmidul Islam and Md Enayet Ullah were present as special guests.

BWDB Superintendent Engineer and Project Director AKM Saifuddin delivered the welcome speech at the workshop.

Engineers from IWM and CEGIS presented keynote papers on survey project.

Speaking as the chief guest, Secretary Nazmul Ahsan said the project area is located in Hatia upazila of Noakhali, which is far away from the mainland of the country, in the estuary area of the Bay of Bengal.
 
He said Hatia is prone to natural disasters, including cyclone, flash floods, riverbank erosion and its communication system is also vulnerable due to geographical location.
 
He hoped that the survey project would be successful by conducting scientific surveys applying modern technology.