Aila-hit coastal dists still face water crisis
Transparency International Bangladesh in cooperation with local citizens' bodies form human chains in front of Satkhira Press Club and near Shaheed Satu Hall in Chapainawabganj town for ensuring safe drinking water for all marking the International Water Day yesterday.Photo: STAR
On the World Water Day yesterday, people of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat districts demanded access to safe drinking water. Leaders of Khulna divisional unit of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers' Association (Bela) yesterday demanded steps to resolve acute crisis of safe drinking water in the Aila affected coastal belts of the south-western region. They made the demand at a press conference at Khulna Press Club, reports our staff correspondent. They said that several lakhs of Aila affected people are still passing their days in untold sufferings while the underground water table is falling sharply. He said Khulna Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) supplies only 2,27,000,00 litres of water against daily need of 9,45,000,00 litres. At least 54 percent of total population collect water from unsafe sources while 75 percent of water used by city dwellers is collected from underground source. Bela then placed a 12-point demand before the government for resolving severe crisis of safe water and protecting environment from pollution. The demands include supply of safe drinking water urgently to all Aila affected coastal belts, stoppage of shrimp cultivation releasing saline water in crop fields and allocation of adequate fund in the upcoming national budget to resolve water crisis. In Satkhira, people of the district town formed a human chain with empty earthen pitchers and placards in hands, brought out a procession, held a rally and submitted a memorandum demanding access to safe drinking water, reports our correspondent. The human chain was formed in front of Satkhira Press Club. Later the participants carrying banners joined a rally at Satkhira Sadar upazila auditorium premises and demanded immediate steps to ensure supply of safe drinking water in Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat districts. All the three districts are severely affected by salinity in surface water and arsenic contamination in ground water. Kendrio Pani Committee (central water committee), a newly formed citizen's body, Sachetan Nagarik Committee Satkhira district chapter of TIB and a local NGO Uttaran jointly organised the programmes in observance of the World Water Day. Speakers at the rally deplored the successive government's 'indifference' to the need for people's access to safe drinking water.
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