Bangladesh is suffering a huge crisis of fresh water scarcity which is mainly resulting in the country's economy, its environment and the health of its citizens. This problem is an impact of different factors including huge population growth, climate change and poor government policies.

As Bangladesh is a highly densely populated country, there is an issue of fresh water scarcity. More than 1.8 million individuals in Bangladesh need admittance to a better water source and 36 million need further developed sterilization. Population growth has increased demand for water, putting a strain on the country's limited water resources. Climate change has also made the problem worse by causing an irregular monsoon pattern and scarcity of water during the dry season. Furthermore, the government's lack of proper policy planning and enforcement has exacerbated the problem. To alleviate the problem of fresh water scarcity in Bangladesh, the following potential solutions can be implemented:

Water Conservation

Water conservation means reduction of unnecessary water usage and practice of efficient water use. In order to address the issue of water scarcity, Bangladesh must prioritize water conservation. This includes reducing the water footprint of industries and households, increasing agricultural water efficiency, and promoting rainwater harvesting.

Groundwater Extraction Management

Groundwater is the water which we mainly find from ground and we can get it by tube wells, digging wells and hand pumps. Bangladesh has significant groundwater resources, but over-extraction of these resources has led to groundwater depletion exacerbated and reduced water quality. The government needs to regulate groundwater extraction and promote recharge mechanisms, such as aquifer recharge and water harvesting. These are the helpful methods from which we can save water.

Integrated water management

Integrated water management is a man-made process which includes developing, planning in both terms of water quality and quantity. In order to effectively manage water resources, Bangladesh requires an integrated water management approach that takes into account all sources of water, including surface water and groundwater. All stakeholders, including government agencies, communities, and private-sector organizations, should be involved in this approach.

Climate-resilient water infrastructure

Climate change presents expanding difficulties for infrastructure. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, such as floods and droughts. To mitigate the impact of these events on water resources, Bangladesh needs to invest in climate-resilient water infrastructure, such as water storage and distribution systems, flood protection measures, and drought-resistant crops.

Finally, the Bangladeshi government must invest in education and awareness programs to educate the public about the importance of water conservation and the need for sustainable water use. This will contribute to the development of a water-saving culture and the long-term sustainability of Bangladesh's water resources. To summarize, in order to address the issue of fresh water scarcity in Bangladesh, the government and all stakeholders must take a comprehensive and integrated approach. This includes encouraging water conservation, better groundwater management, investing in climate-resilient water infrastructure, and raising public awareness about the importance of sustainable water use.

The writer was a student at BRAC University.