2005年-世界发展银行全球_Bangladesh___Country_Water_Resources_Assistance_Strategy_82页_7mb

Summary of Bangladesh Country Water Resources Assistance Strategy (Report No. 32312-BD)

Core Content

The Bangladesh Country Water Resources Assistance Strategy (CWRAS) outlines the World Bank's role in supporting sustainable water management in Bangladesh, emphasizing the critical link between water resources and poverty reduction. The strategy was developed between 2003 and 2005 through multiple workshops and consultations, and it reflects the Bank's commitment to poverty alleviation through improved water sector performance.

Main Objectives

The CWRAS aims to:

• Assist the Government of Bangladesh in selecting strategic water sector activities that align with the Bank's comparative advantages.
• Address long-term systemic challenges in water management.
• Support the implementation of Bangladesh's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
• Complement the Bank's Country Assistance Strategy (CAS).

Key Points

Population and Water Demand

• Bangladesh's population is projected to grow from 133 million to over 220 million by 2050.
• Urban areas are expected to absorb most of the population increase, growing from 30 million to 130 million.
• Water demand is expected to rise from 10,000 million liters per day to over 35,000 million liters per day.
• Arsenic contamination affects about half the population, exceeding WHO guideline levels.
• Urban and industrial pollution is worsening fresh water quality, with excreta and solid waste increasing significantly.

Food Security and Water Use

• To maintain food security, grain production needs to increase by about 20 million metric tons by 2050.
• Irrigated cropped area must expand, but increased pesticide use threatens water quality.
• Fish production is expected to rise from 2.2 million to 5.5–8 million metric tons by 2025.
• Fish provides 65% of the country's animal protein and is vital for the poor.

Economic Role of Water

• Water is essential for agriculture, fisheries, industry, transport, and health.
• Agriculture contributes about 19% to GDP and employs 63% of the labor force.
• Fisheries account for 4% of GDP and 9% of employment, and are the second-largest foreign exchange earner.
• Inland water transport contributes about 15% to total transport GDP but is under threat from siltation and poor infrastructure.

Climate Vulnerability

• Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying delta and high population density.
• Climate change impacts include increased salinity, changes in river morphology, and environmental hazards.
• The Bank recommends proactive planning and design for climate change, as existing infrastructure is aging and needs rehabilitation.

Water-Related Hazards

• Bangladesh faces cyclones, storm surges, droughts, floods, and river erosion.
• Poor communities are most affected due to inadequate housing and infrastructure.
• Over 28 years, 171 large-scale disasters have occurred, with an average of 6.11 per year.
• Disaster prevention and risk reduction are emphasized over emergency relief.

Institutional Framework

• A comprehensive policy framework has been developed over the last decade, including the National Water Policy (1999), National Water Management Plan (2004), and related policies.
• The National Water Management Plan identifies gaps in land use planning and transport policy.
• Local government institutions, such as LGED and DPHE, are critical for managing water resources at the local level.

Historical Water Sector Development

• Over 600 water resources schemes have been completed since the 1950s, ranging from small to large-scale.
• Public investments in agriculture water resources have exceeded US$5 billion since 1971, with annual government funding averaging US$110 million.
• The World Bank has reduced its support for the water sector since 1999, contributing to a decline in donor assistance.

Donor and Institutional Challenges

• Donor support has declined due to a perception that investments need to be more effective.
• The Bank's withdrawal from the sector had a ripple effect on other donors.
• The government, with Bank support, initiated reforms to improve water management, including participatory approaches and better procurement systems.

Priorities for World Bank Engagement

The strategy outlines several priorities for the World Bank:

• Strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable water management.
• Promoting cost-effective and quality water service delivery.
• Supporting the development of a National Water Code.
• Enhancing coordination between water and sanitation sectors.
• Addressing arsenic contamination through community-based solutions.
• Improving irrigation and drainage systems.
• Facilitating long-term operation and maintenance of water infrastructure.
• Supporting climate change adaptation in water management.

Conclusion

The CWRAS underscores the vital role of water in Bangladesh's economic and social development. It highlights the need for integrated, participatory, and sustainable water management approaches that address both current and future challenges, including climate change, population growth, and economic development. The strategy emphasizes the importance of institutional reforms, improved service delivery, and collaboration between the government, local stakeholders, and international partners.