The quality of 76% of the land is declining in terms of viability. Additionally, 86% of the water used for irrigation is extracted from the ground. Added to this is the significant progression of drought in the near future. Excessive extraction of groundwater increases the risk of landslides. Cáritas projects for soil conservation.
Dhaka () – Soil restoration, desertification and drought resistance. These are the central themes of World Environment Day, which is celebrated today and which, in Bangladesh, is urgent due to the many critical problems related to the natural ecosystem, especially “desertification and drought.” According to experts, the quality of 76% of land is declining in terms of profitability, accompanied by the negative effects of climate change, especially due to rising temperatures. Added to this are the effects of water scarcity that begins in the northern regions (Barendra), but could extend in the future to the central and southern coastal regions.
According to the UN Report on the Development of Water Resources in the World, 86% of the water used for irrigation in the country is extracted from the subsoil. Bangladesh is among the five countries that extract the most groundwater to moisten cultivated fields. In first place is Pakistan, with 94% of water extracted from the ground, followed by Saudi Arabia, with 92%, India, with 89%, Syria (87%), Mexico, with 72%, and the United States, with 71%.
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (Bri) chief scientist and climatologist Mohammad Kamruzzaman Milon, under the supervision of Dhaka University meteorology professor Shabista Yildiz, has recently conducted a study on the future of drought in the country . An in-depth analysis, published by Springer’s Earth System and Environment journal, shows a significant progression of drought in the near future (2060-2079) unless effective measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Drought rates could increase in the northeast in the distant future, potentially reaching 14%.
Between 2020 and 2079, maximum and minimum temperatures could increase significantly, with a more pronounced progression of minimum temperatures than maximum temperatures. As a result, the difference between maximum and minimum daytime temperatures will decrease, increasing heat stress in people, which could have a negative impact on health and agriculture. The maximum temperature will increase relatively more in the northern and southern areas, while the minimum temperature will increase at a faster rate in the coastal and eastern areas. There should be no drought problems – Kamruzzaman continued – in a country where the average annual rainfall exceeds 2,000 millimeters. Our problem is the lack of proper water management. Therefore, emphasis must be placed on the development of regional water management technologies.
The Land Resources Development Institute conducted a study titled “Bangladesh Land Degradation, 2020” on land quality degradation, published in December 2022. The study indicates that out of a total of 14.757 million hectares of land , 11.24 million hectares are subject to degradation, which represents 76.1% of the total. An average of 27,000 hectares of land is lost each year due to deterioration in soil chemical quality, lowering of the water table, waterlogging and drought. Furthermore, excessive extraction of groundwater increases the risk of landslides.
Arook Toppo, responsible for Ecological Conversation and Food Safety, highlights the “significant” contribution of Cáritas Nacional to the conservation of the environment through various initiatives. The initiatives undertaken focus on community awareness, training and youth engagement to promote a culture of sustainability. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as vermicomposting, organic farming and agroforestry, the Catholic organization contributes to reducing environmental impact. Afforestation and reforestation efforts include tree planting campaigns, community forests, and mangrove restoration projects. Caritas Bangladesh also supports the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, and water management and conservation through rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation and recycling techniques.
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