Dhaka: State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam has announced a phased initiative to deliver water tanks to every house in coastal areas to collect rainwater and address the drinking water crisis.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister emphasized the government's commitment to resolving the water scarcity issue in his address as the chief guest at a program organized by the Climate Trust Fund. The event, held at the Rampal Upazila Public Health Engineering Department premises, focused on the distribution of water tanks to impoverished families as part of the Rainwater Harvesting Programme.
The state minister highlighted the severe drinking water shortage in the coastal regions of Rampal and Mongla. To combat this crisis, 3,000 water tanks are set to be distributed initially through the Climate Trust Fund, with 82 tanks already distributed today. Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam reiterated the government's dedication to ensuring a sustainable solution for safe water access in these areas. As part of this effort, government ponds will be renovated and developed into reserved freshwater reservoirs, providing a reliable source of clean drinking water. The minister also noted that fish farming will be prohibited in these ponds to maintain water quality.
The event was attended by various local officials and dignitaries, including Upazila Executive Officer Ms. Tamanna Ferdousi, Executive Engineer of Bagerhat Public Health Engineering Department Jayanta Mallick, and Deputy Assistant Engineer of Rampal Upazila Public Health Engineering Department Imran Hossain, among others.