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Water Management in the Seasonal Wetlands of the North-east Region of Bangladesh

Dhali Abdul QAIUM
Superintending Engineer
Bangladesh Water Development Board

Mohammad Showkat OSMAN
National Consultant
Climate Change Cell, DoE

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Submergible Embankment Schemes of Haor area of North-East Region of Bangladesh were economically attractive interventions that help the poor people of the society. But operational difficulties of physical components and weak management set-up for operation and maintenance of the schemes were threat to sustainability of the schemes. The paper discusses need for better structures and institutional set-up to make the schemes more functional and useful.

Keywords: Seasonal wetlands, Haors, Submergible embankment, Water management organizations, Early flash flood.

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Water management

Objectives:

Crisis on operational and institutional issue in management of submergible embankment scheme is known to the policy planners, designers and institutional experts and they are putting their heads together for a solution. But quest for a remedy of the crisis has to travel a long way to reach the goal. The paper intents to highlight operational and institutional shortcomings in managing submergible embankment scheme and urges for definite and concrete action in this aspect.

Methodology:

Operational Difficulties: BWDB initiated implementation of Khaliajuri Flood Control and Drainage Improvement Project in 2003-04. Submergible embankment, earthen closure, drainage channel and drainage-cum-flushing regulator were physical components of the scheme. Local stakeholders, during project formulation stage, demanded alternative measures instead of regulators because of (1) past experiences of operational difficulties of regulator gates (especially during emergency), (2) barrier to navigation route and (3) obstructing migration of aquatic species to and from the Haors. The organization (BWDB) engaged consultant to find a solution in response to the stakeholders demand. Study report of the consultant admits the fact (adverse impact of regulator); but as immediate measures were needed to save the boro paddy of Khliajuri Haor and, right now, suitable alternative of regulator was not available, the consultant ended up with regulator option (Box-1). Probably, it cannot he claimed that professional standard had been maintained in conducting the study. Local stakeholders are the best judges and their demand for alternative option to regulator is sustainable and eco-friendly from technical and environmental perspective. Regulator option in absence of suitable alternative, may meet the immediate need but the search for an alternative is the right way to move forward. Lack of Institutional Set-up: In fact, BWDB used to involve stakeholders in an informal way in management of submergible embankment schemes. With the adoption of the National Water Policy (1999), the BWDB Act (2000), the Guidelines for Participatory Water Management (2000), the National Water Management Plan (2004) and other related policies by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), BWDB has involved Water Management Organizations (WMOs) for managing all of its water development schemes. It (WMOs) is an institutional set up consisting of three tires formed by stakeholders. Statistics, available so for, indicates that BWDB, in 104 projects/schemes (Flood Control, Drainage and/or Irrigation), has operationalized 7167 WMG, 164 WMA & 8 WMF. Stakeholders were members of these organizations and they run these institutions in a democratic process under the guidance of the organization (BWDB). Studies conducted at different level indicate that this set up is performing with little success in irrigation schemes and the whole process was still at experimental stage. But replication of the model in submergible embankment schemes was continued without any substantial achievement. However, with all the shortcomings, the WMO’s were vital to reflect views of stakeholders. In case of Khaliajuri submergible embankment scheme, the feeling of the stakeholders had not been reflected in the final stage of consultations (Box-1). Had there been active WMO’s in the Haor, the result of the EIA study might be different.

Source of Information: International Conference on Water & Flood Management (ICWFM-2007), 12-14 March 2007, BUET, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

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Achievement/Findings:

With a track record of managing Haor schemes for about 45 years, BWDB was still in quest of developing a sustainable and eco-friendly hydraulic structure for submergible embankment schemes and a participatory water management model for sustainable O&M of the same. These shortcomings were posing threat for sustainable management of economically viable schemes of North-East Region of Bangladesh. The organization was working hard for well-being of the millions who were feeding the nation. Sustainability of submergible embankment scheme in Haor area was one of the commitments of the origination to the nation.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings