About 2.2 billion people in the world are deprived of safe drinking water
The global safe water crisis has taken a serious shape. About 2.2 billion people are deprived of safe water. In this context, experts have said that ‘saving just 1 litre of water every day can save 345 billion liters of water per year’.
A human chain was organized in front of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on April 7, 2025. It was organized by the Bangladesh Water Works Association (BWWA).
Mohammad Zobayer Hasan, General Secretary of the IWA Bangladesh Chapter, reported that the rapid melting of glaciers in the northern hemisphere is causing increased river erosion and severe natural disasters.
As a result, many villagers are being forced to take refuge in cities and are becoming climate refugees. This cycle is taking a more serious form due to climate change, which is causing major disruptions in water supply.
He said that the decline in groundwater levels, drought and increase in salinity are further complicating the situation. In southwestern Bangladesh, saline water has become a significant issue for agriculture and drinking water.
He also said that we need to plant more trees to reduce global warming. If action is not taken now, the water crisis will become more serious.
Anwar Hossain, founding president of BWWA, said that only 2.1% of glaciers are usable as a source of safe water. If the melting of glaciers can be stopped, it can be enough for safe water for the next 100-200 years.
Highlighting the importance of water conservation, Anwar Hossain said that if one person saves just 1 liter of water every day worldwide, then 345 billion liters of water can be saved annually. The water pressure in hotels abroad has been set at 0.1%. If we reduce the flow of water by 50%, then a huge amount of wastage can be prevented.
Speakers noted that 40% of Bangladeshis lack access to safe water, impacting around 70 million people. In such a situation, the importance of water conservation and afforestation initiatives increases even more.
Forests in Bangladesh cover about 17.4% (2.6 million hectares) of the land, important for protecting biodiversity. However, more effective initiatives are needed to protect forests.
It is imperative to take effective steps to conserve water before the threat of climate change increases further. Bangladesh and the world must come forward now to protect the future of water through a combination of policy changes, social awareness and personal responsibility.
