A day-long festival to welcome monsoon was observed in the capital yesterday, aiming to raise awareness among people about rain water conservation.
Organised jointly by WaterAid Bangladesh and Grey Advertising Bangladesh Ltd, the festival took place on the premises of Bangla Academy from 10am to 9pm and included singing performances, drama, poetry recitation, screening of cinemas on rain, puppet show and many other programmes, as well as an exhibition of rain water saving models by students and a policy dialogue on rain water conservation.
“We have two motives for arranging this event – monsoon salutation and raising awareness among people. Water crisis can be solved if we conserve rain water,” said Plaban Gongopaddhay, programme officer at WaterAid.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Nur inaugurated the festival, while WaterAid Country Representative Dr Khairul Islam and Country Head of Grey Syed Gousul Alam Shaon were present on the occasion, among others.
The discussion on rain water was held on the main stage at the venue, which started around 3:15pm and was participated by urban planner Dr Akhter Mahmud, architect Iqbal Habib, Institute of Architects Bangladesh President Dr Abu Sayeed M Ahmed, geologist and Dhaka University Professor Dr Kazi Matin Ahmed and Housing and Building Research Institute Director Mohammed Abu Sadek.
The speakers talked about proper uses of rain water and practices around the country, especially in capital, and called for the preservation of wetlands and water reservoirs around Dhaka to minimise the demand of ground water.
“It is our stupidity that we could not save the rivers, and no government could stop spoiling the rivers and wetlands. As a result, ground water is depleting more and more, leaving the city dwellers in a great danger,” Iqbal Habib said.
“We should not keep destroying the environment in the name of modernisation,” he added.
“The ground surface in the city is mostly carpeted, that is why no rain water can seep through to the ground below, but urbanisation results in an increased demand of groundwater – this is a big challenge for us,” Dr Kazi Matin Ahmed said.
“We should go for a combined water management system that includes rain water, groundwater and river water.”