National consultation on IAEA- IWAVE at Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission

The Isotope Hydrology Division of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) organised a two-day National Consultation Workshop on IAEA's Water Availability Enhancement (IWAVE) on February 2–3, 2025, at BAEC headquarters, Agargaon.

The workshop aimed to identify national water challenges, draft a National Hydrological Sketch Report, and explore opportunities for applying isotope hydrology in future water projects.
Dr Md Idris Ali, Director of BAEC's International Affairs Division, chaired the event, with Dr Mazibur Rahman, Member (Bio-science), as the special guest. Dr. Viraj Idirisinghe, an IAEA expert, participated as an honoured guest. Mrs Salma Sultana, Joint Secretary (PAS) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, was also present, along with representatives from Bangladesh Water Development (BWDB), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), BUET, DU, Rajshahi University, Jahangirnagar University, IWM, MIST, RRI, Water Aid and Department of Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development and other key organisations.

Dr Ratan Kumar Majumder, Chief Geologist, emphasised the role of isotope hydrology in sustainable water management in Bangladesh. Special guest Dr  Mazibur Rahman recommended integrating isotope technology with conventional methods to ensure clean water. Dr Idirisinghe highlighted IAEA's collaborative efforts in groundwater studies and the potential for isotopic applications in the coastal freshwater exploration of Bangladesh. Dr Anwar Zahid, senior expert at IWM, stressed using isotopic methods to analyse groundwater sources, age, and recharge processes of different groundwater levels to manage groundwater resources in the country properly.
Chair Dr Idris Ali urged stakeholders to incorporate isotope hydrology into national water management projects for sustainable resource development.