Kalurghat industrial area suffers from acute water shortage

The continuously increasing industrial pollution, especially releasing industrial waste into water bodies, has posed a grave threat to the surface water sources in the port city of Chattogram.

As a result, the Kalurghat industrial area is facing a number of problems caused by an acute shortage of water, said speakers at a roundtable.

According to a rapid situation assessment presented at the roundtable, the country’s commercial capital Chattogram has recorded a 20-metre decline in groundwater level over the past 40 years, says a press release.

The findings were shared with the stakeholders at the roundtable, titled “Accelerating Change: Decentralising the Conversation on Water Stewardship”, organised marking the World Water Day.

Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Unilever Bangladesh Ltd and WaterAid Bangladesh jointly organised the discussion at Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View on Saturday.

Industry representatives, academicians and representatives from service-oriented public institutions emphasised collective efforts and collaboration among Kalurghat industries and others to ensure water security.

At the event, Hasin Jahan, Country Director of WaterAid Bangladesh, said that multinational companies are demonstrating evidence of viable water management in their industries.

“We need to take a step further to collectively record these cases for creating a knowledge bank of good practices. This will pave the way to evidence-based advocacy and help us start a dialogue with the government,” he said, adding that such alliance of the industries will provide opportunities to learn about the good practices of sustainable water management.

In the keynote, Dr Tanvir Ahmed, professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), recommended that the Department of Environment increase its vigilance over industries before the water sources reach its tipping point. He also suggested that a comprehensive assessment of the industrial area should be done to make data-driven decisions.

Speakers at the roundtable observed that rapid and unplanned industrialisation has resulted in depletion of groundwater levels, even in the cities outside the capital.

“Chattogram is home to a diverse range of industries that rely heavily on water, and for businesses, the end-to-end creation and use of our products are dependent on its continued access,” said Zaved Akhtar, Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh.

He mentioned that UBL, FICCI and WaterAid chose Chattogram and Kalurghat heavy industrial area to build a dialogue and initiate a platform that helps plan and act together.

“We know that many unregulated industries are unaware of the adverse effects of groundwater depletion and surface water pollution. They lack the understanding about the true economic value of water. Thus, we must play a critical role and have a collective responsibility to promote and ensure environmental and sustainable business practices,” he said.