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Speakers at a discussion on Tuesday underscored the need for reducing dependency on groundwater and urged the businesses to adopt a rainwater harvesting system to ensure a sustainable water supply.
The high volume of water used in industries is an environmental concern because of their dependency on groundwater. It is high time to act in ways that protect the long-term sustainability of the water supply needed for businesses to grow, they said.
The roundtable titled "Industrial Rainwater Harvesting- A Sustainable Approach to Water Management" was organised jointly by WaterAid and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at The Westin Dhaka on Tuesday, read a press release.
The programme aimed to initiate dialogue on the business case for industrial sustainable water management focusing on rainwater harvesting systems.
The discussion explored potential opportunities, challenges, and solutions for sustainable supply chains and environmental impacts, as well as sharing examples of rainwater harvesting practices in garment factories.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan was present at the event as the chief guest while WaterAid Country Director Ms Hasin Jahan was the guest of honour.
WaterAid Policy and Advocacy Director Partha Hefaz Shaikh chaired the event and delivered the welcome note. Abrar Hossain Sayem, President, Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association – BAYLA was present among the guests.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, “BGMEA as a progressive association has emphasised on the sustainable water resource management and actively encouraging factories to adopt rainwater harvesting system. It is time; industries need to put emphasis on rainwater and help to reduce extraction and dependency on groundwater.
WaterAid Country Director Hasin Jahan said, “To solve the impending water crisis that is depleting the groundwater, harvesting rainwater should be everyone's business. Industries having ample space on the rooftop can be easily used for rainwater harvesting and demonstrate sustainable solutions towards solving the growing water needs for the businesses.
“Thanks to BGMEA for demonstrating a unique example to help protect our scarce water resources by encouraging the factory owners for adopting rainwater harvesting. WaterAid is committed to working with businesses entities and the private sector to fast-track efforts towards water security and environment”
Apart from the guests, development partners, national business firms, and supply chain stakeholders, representatives from media and academia participated in the event.
The roundtable discussion came to an end with handing of BGMEA’s sustainability report to Hasin Jahan and the distribution of certificates among rainwater harvesting professionals who were trained as part of WaterAid and ITN-BUET collaboration.
