Dhaka seeks 50-year masterplan from Beijing for water management

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today (28 March) sought a 50-year masterplan from China to manage the river and water system in Bangladesh, which is crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers.

The CA made the call when Li Guoying, water resources minister of China, met him at a state guest house in Beijing on the third day of his four-day visit to the Asian country, reads a press statement issued by the CA's Press Wing.

During the meeting, Professor Yunus praised the Chinese water and flood management system, saying the country has done wonders in managing some of the intractable water issues.

"We have the same problem that you have.  So, we'll be happy if you share your experiences", the CA told the Chinese minister.

"Bangladesh is a delta country; we have a country crisscrossed with hundreds of rivers. Water gives us life, but sometimes it becomes an enemy. Now that the population has increased manifold, we have to remain careful what kind of damage it causes to the ecosystem," he added.

Describing China as the 'master of water management', the CA said Bangladesh has a lot to learn from the country and urged China to share the vision of President Xi Jinping in water management with the country.

"We have come here to learn from you: how we can make water resources useful to people," he said.

The chief adviser said the increase in population and demand for development are people grabbing land by riversides. 

The same demand has increased in upper riparian India, he said, adding that siltation was also causing a problem creating land in the middle of rivers, sinking them sometimes, leading them to death.

The Chinese minister acknowledged that China and Bangladesh share a similar challenge in water management. He promised technical support and expertise to Bangladesh.

"To manage water is a key management issue for Bangladesh; China is facing similar challenges," he said, acknowledging that 85 per cent of Bangladesh's people live in flood-prone plains, which has made water management complicated for the country. 

He said President Xi has put forward a masterplan for China, which the country is using to overcome the challenges in water management.

"We need your help to design the plan for us," the chief adviser said.

He added that Bangladesh's problem lies not just with one river but with the system.

He mentioned the Teesta River System and cleaning the polluted water in rivers surrounding Dhaka for particular help.

CA Yunus is currently undertaking a four-day visit in China, holding meetings with Chinese leaders and investors to boost mutual cooperation with the country.