Reshaping water management for climate resilience in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, situated in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, comprises largely low-lying land and an extensive river network that covers around 79% of the country. 

The nation experiences a tropical monsoon climate with intense precipitation during the monsoon and significant seasonal variations in water availability. This unique geo-climatic context renders Bangladesh particularly vulnerable to climate change, especially in relation to water resources.

Managing water governance and climate resilience is no easy task. Nonetheless, it is crucial for ensuring Bangladesh's sustainable development. Effective water management is essential not only for ensuring adequate supply for agriculture, industry, and domestic use, but also for implementing climate mitigation measures that protect against the adverse impacts of floods, droughts, and cyclones. Millions of people depend on these efforts for their livelihoods and survival, and the nation's progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hinges on them.

Bangladesh possesses substantial water resources in the form of its riverine systems, river-connected wetlands, and groundwater reserves. However, the distribution and accessibility of these resources are uneven, with significant seasonal and regional disparities. 

Almost all the major rivers originate outside Bangladesh and flow through the country, predominantly controlled by upstream India. This dependency significantly affects water regulation and associated phenomena such as floods, flash floods, and droughts. With a growing population, increased industrialisation, and the escalating impacts of climate change, managing these water resources sustainably is becoming increasingly complex.

Key Institutions and Actors

Water governance in Bangladesh is multi-layered, involving institutions at national, regional, and local levels. The key players include the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), and the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), alongside various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs). These entities are responsible for formulating and implementing policies and projects that enhance water and climate resilience across the country.

Several national policies and legal frameworks guide water governance, including the National Water Policy (1999), the Bangladesh Water Act (2013), and the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP, 2009). These emphasise integrated water resources management, sustainable practices, and climate adaptation strategies. Climate change, however, remains the greatest threat to water availability and environmental conservation, with impacts cutting across agriculture, industry, and domestic sectors. Shifts in rainfall patterns and increased variability contribute to more frequent extreme floods and droughts. 

Rising sea levels also threaten freshwater reserves through saline intrusion. Furthermore, the accelerated melting of Himalayan and polar glaciers exacerbates downstream risks.

The agricultural nexus

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Bangladesh's economy, employing approximately 40% of the population and contributing around 11% to the GDP. Climate change threatens this vital sector by altering precipitation patterns, reducing crop yields, and potentially diminishing one-third of agricultural GDP by the 2050s. 

More intense and frequent droughts affect irrigation systems, while recurrent flooding damages crops, infrastructure, and leads to food insecurity. 

For example, the 2017 floods affected over 8 million people and caused extensive agricultural and infrastructural losses. Similarly, Cyclone Amphan in 2020 devastated coastal areas, submerging land with saline water and compromising freshwater availability.

Governance challenges

Despite a robust institutional framework, water and climate governance in Bangladesh faces critical gaps. Overlapping institutional mandates and poor coordination often hinder the implementation of effective strategies. A lack of reliable data and monitoring systems undermines informed decision-making. 

Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, rapid urbanisation, and population growth further complicate governance efforts. According to ICIMOD and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2015), these structural deficiencies make adaptive water management particularly challenging.

Marginalised communities are often the most affected by water scarcity. Urban expansion and industrial activities disrupt natural hydrological cycles, degrading both the quality and availability of water. 

Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure, technological barriers, and limited access to geospatial tools like remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) impede the modernisation of water governance. Many of the country's water management systems, including dams and embankments, are ageing and in urgent need of repair or replacement.

Pathways to resilience

Innovative, inclusive approaches can improve Bangladesh's climate and water resilience. Rainwater harvesting, for instance, reduces reliance on over-exploited groundwater and surface water sources. Advancing agricultural practices—such as implementing efficient irrigation techniques and adopting drought-resistant crops—can bolster productivity. The conservation and restoration of wetlands enhances water storage, improves quality, and supports biodiversity.

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is crucial, as it promotes inclusive stakeholder engagement in decision-making processes, ensuring a diversity of perspectives and needs are represented. Coordination across sectors—agriculture, industry, and domestic water use—is essential for building a truly integrated approach.

Community-led climate adaptation initiatives are also vital. These include promoting climate-resilient farming methods, establishing early warning systems, and constructing resilient infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events. Improved governance mechanisms—such as stronger institutional frameworks, better inter-agency coordination, stakeholder advisory panels, and private-public partnerships—can amplify the impact of climate resilience measures.

Public awareness, training, and the mobilisation of youth volunteers will play a pivotal role in addressing the looming water crisis. Education and participation are essential in transforming collective behaviour and galvanising support for long-term water stewardship.

Water is the lifeblood of Bangladesh—essential for its people's health, livelihoods, industries, urban development, and biodiversity. The encroaching threat of saline intrusion, especially in the southern and low-lying regions, underscores the urgency of ensuring access to clean and sufficient water. Without strategic governance and coordinated action, the country's socioeconomic future remains at risk. A resilient Bangladesh will depend on inclusive planning, infrastructural innovation, and a reinvigorated commitment to climate-adapt ive water governance.

Md Zafar Alam Bhuiyan is a consultant at the Sustainable Forests & Livelihoods (SUFAL), Bangladesh Forest Department. He is also a PhD researcher in climate resilience through sustainable forest management. He can be reached at zafar.climatechange@gmail.com. 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.