WATER is life. It is the foundation of human civilisation that is a central element in socio-cultural and economic activities. Water is a finite natural resource, where both quantity and quality are crucial to the environment, which encompasses all living and non-living elements. It is a fundamental input in food production, essential for household needs, energy generation, industrial production and the functioning of water-dependent ecosystems that sustain the flow of ecosystem services.
Globally, water resources are under unprecedented pressure because of a rapid demographic growth, already exceeding eight billion, which has led to ab increasing demand and competition for water alongside economic developments. The strain on the planet’s water resources is exacerbated by multiple effects of climate change, poor management and pollution. Water crises have played a pivotal role in both peace-making and conflict, sometimes even threatening national sovereignty. Water diplomacy is, thus, an important factor in geopolitics. Additionally, water crises trigger forced migration, social disparity by way of increasing living costs, production failures and famine resulting from the degradation of natural resources and biodiversity loss, ultimately leading to social unrest and instability.
Access to water is a human right. Yet, 2.2 billion people live without safely managed drinking water services, with devastating consequences for their lives and wider society. Per capita water availability is declining. By 2025, it is estimated that 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions experiencing ‘absolute’ water scarcity, with less than 500 cubic meters a year a person, while two-thirds of the global population could be living under ‘stress’ conditions, with water between 500 and 1000 cubic meters a year a person. Looking ahead, climate change and increasing bio-energy demands are expected to further complicate the already complex relationship between global development and water demand.
The declining trend in freshwater availability worldwide is expected to have significant economic and political impacts, raising serious concerns about achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The world will need to produce an estimated 60 per cent more food by 2050 to ensure global food security. Against this backdrop, the United Nations observes World Water Day annually on March 22, focusing on the importance of freshwater and inspiring action to address the global water crisis. Water is also at the heart of climate change adaptation, serving as the crucial link between the climate system, human society and the environment.
Bangladesh is not exempt from this global freshwater crisis. Yet, there is no clear data on per capita freshwater availability. Furthermore, there is neither an accurate estimate of the country’s future freshwater needs nor a clear assessment of the potential for water resource development. However, there is clear evidence of a widening gap between water supply and demand as well as increasing river pollution. Numerous reports highlight the shrinking of freshwater bodies such as rivers, bils, canals, etc because of siltation, drying up, encroachment, and waste dumping. Consequently, Bangladesh risks losing its identity as a ‘riverine country.’ The degradation of surface water and erratic rainfall because of climate change have led to an increasing dependence on groundwater abstraction for both agriculture and urban life, causing alarming declines in the water table in areas such as the Barind Tract, Dhaka and Gazipur.
Bangladesh faces immense challenges in meeting the growing demands for food and other resources from its expanding population, all while contending with diminishing natural resources such as land and water. This issue is largely due to the failure to align the country’s ecological carrying capacity with population planning, urbanisation and industrialisation. Additionally, the inadequate integration of science with policy (laws and regulations) and weak enforcement mechanisms have exacerbated the problem.
Milestone events in the history of global environmental degradation include the Neolithic Revolution (~12,000 years ago), the Industrial Revolution (1750s) and the Green Revolution (1960s), all of which have sometimes caused irreversible damage to the environment and loss of biodiversity. Across the globe, there are numerous examples of water body pollution, including the Thames River in England, the Rhine in Europe, the Han in South Korea, the Singapore River and Dokai Bay in Japan, where indiscriminate dumping of municipal, industrial and agricultural waste led to severe contamination. The nations, despite achieving financial prosperity with per capita incomes of around $26,000, paid a heavy ecological and human cost before eventually undertaking extensive clean-up efforts.
Many unknowingly followed the flawed principle of ‘grow first, clean later.’ Similarly, Bangladesh embarked on industrialisation in the 1980s without learning lessons from past environmental destruction although it had already been evident that economic development and environmental protection could go hand-in-hand. The government has declared 13 areas, including four rivers around the Dhaka city, as ‘ecologically critical areas.’ They are ecologically dysfunctional and no longer capable of providing essential ecosystem services. Despite the devastation, Bangladesh’s current per capita income stands at about $2,738.
Dissolved oxygen is a crucial indicator of water system health as all aquatic life depends on it for respiration. Dissolved oxygen levels are inversely related to pollution levels in water bodies. In February 2025, average dissolved oxygen levels (mg/litre) in the Buriganga (0.29), the Sitalakkhya (0.41), the Turag (1.3) and the Balu (2.13 in December 2024) were significantly below the Environmental Quality Standard of 5 mg/litre.
A study conducted in 2012–2021 showed that pollution load (biochemical oxygen demand) has been gradually increasing in the River Dhaleshwari, with pollution levels far exceeding the Environmental Quality Standard, reaching 6 mg/litre, particularly during the dry winter season (~16 mg/litre) compared with the wet season (~10 mg/litre), causing a corresponding decline in dissolved oxygen below the Environmental Quality Standard.
In December 2024, dissolved oxygen levels in the Jamuna (~6 mg/litre) and the Padma (~7 mg/litre) were slightly above the Environmental Quality Standard. Rivers in Bangladesh’s south are increasingly affected by salinity, which worsens during the dry season (eg, the Bhairab, with ~12 decisiemens per meter, the Rupsha with ~15 dS/m, and the Khakshiali with ~19 dS/m) whereas good quality water for irrigation and crop production should have salinity levels below 2 dS/m.
The Meghna, a tidal river, is facing similar pollution challenges. From Narayanganj launch terminal (where the Sitalakkhya meets the Meghna) and downstream, dissolved oxygen levels are significantly below the Environmental Quality Standard. But, the levels improve downstream towards Moahonpur launch terminal (5.68 mg/L), Ekhlaspur launch terminal (6.83 mg/L) and Chandpur. Additionally, NH4 as N (0.63–3.54 mg/L) and PO4 as P (0.86–4.0 mg/L) were far higher than the EQS thresholds of 0.3 mg/litre and 0.5 mg/litre. Further investigation is needed, but immediate attention is required to save the Meghna from pollution. Otherwise, the growing gap between water demand and supply for households, industry and agriculture will only worsen.
The major causes of water resource degradation include: the dumping of municipal, industrial and agricultural waste into water bodies and illegal land-filling; reduced upstream water flow; decreased water-holding capacity because of siltation and encroachment; climate change-induced erratic rainfall and increased evapotranspiration; a lack of public awareness; and the over-abstraction and misuse of groundwater.
A holistic approach is needed, encompassing proper environmental management, pollution control, regulatory updates, strengthened enforcement, linking ecological carrying capacity to development, and integrating environmental considerations into public and private sector projects to save water resources. Additionally, initiatives such as river restoration, rainwater harvesting and improved water use efficiency must be prioritised. Ultimately, safeguarding interests requires environmental consciousness and sustainable resource management.
Dr Md Sohrab Ali is additional director general at the environment department.