In Bangladesh, alternative sources of groundwater must be found to protect the environment
For decades, climate change has significantly impacted the environment, particularly in the northern and southwestern regions of Bangladesh.
One-sided dam construction on interstate rivers, excessive tree felling without replanting, irregular river dredging, poor drainage planning, lack of new reservoirs, and excessive groundwater extraction are leading to environmental disasters.
Where water was available at a depth of 40-50 feet 30 years ago, it is now available at a depth of about 150-160 feet.
If the water table keeps dropping at this rate, water may be unavailable at 250 feet by 2035. Water pollution and extraction costs will increase cultivation expenses, potentially raising agricultural product prices beyond the reach of lower and middle classes.
Apart from that, salt water will enter the groundwater in coastal areas and cause serious damage to agriculture. As groundwater levels decrease, the levels of arsenic, manganese, iodine, and salinity in the water will rise, increasing the risk of deadly diseases.
In areas with lower water levels, there is a higher risk of soil subsidence, as well as increased drought and water pollution.
As groundwater levels drop, many trees will die due to insufficient water absorption, making it hard to establish new forests.
In such a situation, a multifaceted and integrated plan must be adopted to deal with such adverse environmental conditions.
It is very important to adopt and implement immediate short, medium, and long-term plans to protect the groundwater level. The northern and southwestern parts of the country face a serious threat of desertification due to climate change and excessive groundwater extraction.
If the water table keeps dropping and the government doesn’t intervene, the northern and southwestern regions could become deserts in twenty years.
