The Isotope hydrology division of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has recently organised a two-day national consultation workshop titled International Atomic Energy Agency Water Availability Enhancement at the BAEC of Agargaon in Dhaka.
The workshop aimed to identify national water challenges, draft a national hydrological sketch report, and explore opportunities for applying isotope hydrology in future water projects, said a press release on Sunday.
Md Idris Ali, director of BAEC鈥檚 international affairs division, chaired the event, while Mazibur Rahman, member (bio-science), as special guest and Viraj Idirisinghe, an IAEA expert, participated as an honoured guest.
Ratan Kumar Majumder, chief geologist, emphasised the role of isotope hydrology in sustainable water management in Bangladesh.
Special guest Md Mazibur Rahman recommended integrating isotope technology with conventional methods for ensuring clean water.
Idirisinghe highlighted IAEA鈥檚 collaborative efforts in groundwater studies and the potential for isotopic applications in coastal freshwater exploration of Bangladesh.
Anwar Zahid, senior expert at IWM, stressed using isotopic methods to analyse groundwater sources, age, and recharge processes of different levels of groundwater for proper management of groundwater resources in the country.
Md Idris Ali urged stakeholders to incorporate isotope hydrology into national water management projects for sustainable resource development.
Salma Sultana, joint secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, was also present, along with representatives from Bangladesh Water Development, local government engineering department, department of public health engineering, geological survey of Bangladesh, Bangladesh meteorological department, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Jahangirnagar University, IWM, MIST, RRI, Water Aid and department of Bangladesh haor and wetland development and other key organisations.