Water resources management in Bangladesh and lessons learned over the last century

Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest river deltas, is shaped by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. Its geographical location downstream of the Himalayan basins forces it to manage approximately 1,211 billion cubic meters (bcm) of water annually through a network of 800 rivers (BWDB, 2024). This presents significant challenges in water management (WM), including flood control, drainage, and combating tidal floods, cyclones, and salinity intrusion, particularly in the coastal zone where 40 million people frequently face disasters. Water management in Bangladesh has a long history, beginning with indigenous practices and evolving over time into state-controlled systems. In the post-1947 period, the Government of Bangladesh implemented a range of water resource management (WRM) initiatives, including large-scale projects, minor irrigation in winter, and small-scale flood control. These efforts were complemented by structural and non-structural measures, such as flood forecasting and warning systems. In the 21st century, the adoption of the National Water Policy (NWPo) and Guidelines for Participatory Water Management (GPWM) integrated stakeholder participation, with SIA, EIA, and EMP becoming mandatory in planning. Bangladesh's recent WRM strategies emphasize participation, resilience, and capacity building, particularly in response to climate change. The Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 (BDP2100), adopted in 2018, envisions a safe, climate-resilient, and prosperous delta by the end of the century, focusing on sustainable water resource use with minimal environmental impact. This article reviews the evolution of WRM approaches from ancient times through the colonial and modern periods, highlighting key lessons learned and adaptations that contribute to the formulation of the long-term BDP2100. This paper also presents water engineering education in Bangladesh.