Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Sunday said erosion-resistant coastal infrastructure is critical to Bangladesh's long-term security and economic development.
"Building sustainable and safe coastal infrastructure is a demand of the time. It is imperative to protect coastal areas from climate-induced risks by using advanced construction materials, eco-friendly engineering, and climate-resilient design," the minister said.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled 'Corrosion-Resistant Coastal Infrastructure in Bangladesh' and the 'Unveiling of Project Management Training Manual (2nd Edition) and Certificate Awarding' ceremony, at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the capital.
The minister said high population density in coastal regions is giving rise to a host of environmental challenges. Agricultural land is shrinking, the number of fishermen is growing, and problems such as overexploitation of coastal resources, water pollution, and destruction of mangrove forests persist unabated, he said.
He warned that rising sea levels are accelerating coastal erosion and allowing saline water intrusion into farmland, causing widespread crop damage while also polluting marine ecosystems and disrupting the sea's ecological balance.
Calling for maximum use of technology to counter coastal erosion, the minister announced that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is reviving its canal excavation programme.
"Over the next five years, 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals, ponds and reservoirs will be dug or re-excavated. In addition, 250 million trees will be planted, creating a green buffer zone across coastal areas."
The minister also underscored the urgent need for a Coastal Zone Management Rules framework and a Special Management Plan to safeguard the environment of coastal regions.
He called for laws to protect agricultural land in these areas, modernisation of waste management system and proper regulation of groundwater use. "At the very least, a coordinated integrated plan must be implemented for coastal areas, one that ensures the development of both the people living there and the natural environment."
The seminar was organised on the occasion of IEB's 78th founding anniversary and was chaired by Engineer Muhammad Shafiqul Islam Khokon, Chairman of IEB's Civil Engineering Division.