'River erosion devours 10,000 hectares of land a year'

According to the statistics, the Water Development Board (WDB) rehabilitated 2,000 landless families under its Coastal Embankment Rehabilitation Project while another 4,500 landless families under its Shoal Development and Rehabilitation project.

The ministry presented the statistics at an opinion sharing meeting with the members of the media and

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civil society over its performance in last two years and its future plan for water resources management and development.

In a presentation, Water Resources Secretary Saif Uddin said the ministry implemented 17 out of total 101 projects during 2001-02 fiscal and spent Tk 664.15 crore out of the allocated Tk 756.78 crore.

In 2002-03 fiscal, it implemented 11 out of 72 projects spending Tk 626.58 crore out of the allocated Tk 711.00 crore, he added.

Saifuddin said poverty level at Jessore-Khulna Drainage Rehabilitation Project area has been reduced from 75 percent to 53 percent due to annual increase of food grains by 1.94 lakh metric tons in the area.

The secretary said the WDB constructed 680 km embankment and excavated 816 km canal under the Food for Work programme during the 2001-02 fiscal.

In 2002-03 fiscal, the board constructed 899.44 km embankment and excavated 787.27 km canal at a cost of Tk 93.62 crore, he added.

"The government must pay due attention to conserve and develop water resources for the sake of the country's existence," said Water Resources Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.

Journalist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury suggested more funds for water development sector on priority basis.