An Analysis of Water Policies and Strategies of Bangladesh in the Context of Climate Change. Issue 1 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hadi, Tahmina
• Is Part Of: Asia-Pacific journal of rural development. Volume 29:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Climate change -- water policies -- Bangladesh; Rural development -- Asia -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Islands of the Pacific -- Periodicals; Asia -- Periodicals; 333.76152095
• DOI: 10.1177/1018529119860958
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1018-5291

Abstract

Abstract: Water sector is crucial to sustainable development. It sustains the natural resources, livelihood of the people and facilitates to operate economic activities of the country. Currently, the water sector of Bangladesh is under severe threats particularly due to impacts of climate change. The Fourth Assessment Report of International Panel on climate change confirms that the water sector will be one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. Climate change impacts are being manifested in the form of extreme climatic events and sea-level rise followed by salinity intrusion into the groundwater and wetlands. The Government of Bangladesh has formulated policies to address the climate-induced water vulnerabilities. However, the existing policies are heavily leaned towards strategising adaptation options to address short-run climate-induced water vulnerabilities. Implementation of long-term approaches to combating climate change require laying groundwork which include extensive research on determining the future impacts of climate change on water resources. The article aims to assess some of the major policies, including National Water Policy, Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, National Strategy for Water Sanitation and Hygiene, The National Sustainable Development Strategy, National Adaptation Programme of Action and Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, through the lens of climate change to determine that up to what extent these policies have addressed the climate-induced water vulnerabilities. The article has recommended to emphasise on conducting a comprehensive research with proper institutional setup on the long-run impacts of climate change on water resources and undertake subsequent water adaptation strategies to address the water-related problems.