NewsNews LetterLetter 5252 Workshop on Linking Urbanising Deltas of the World Research Innovation and 02 Implementation in Delta Management Honourable Chairperson IWM Board of Trustees (BOT) & Secretary, MoWR Visits 03 IWM Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 04 Study for Extension of Runway at Cox’s Bazar Airport Hydrological Study for a Water Reservoir Construction to Supply Water to the GPH 05 Ispat Limited, Kumira, Sitakunda, Chattagram Detailed Feasibility Study with ESIA for Restoration of Water Resources around 06 Baral River Basin Developing ICT Connectivity Decision 07 Support System Through Interactive GIS Map Hydrological and Morphological Mathematical Modelling Study for 08 Construction of Four Bridges of Eastern & Southern Region of Bangladesh Hydrographic and Met Ocean Data Collection Near Kutubdia Island for 09 Proposed LNG Terminal of Bangladesh Petrolium Corporation Water Resources Assessment for Water Supply to the Rohingya Camps and Host 10 Communities in Teknaf and Ukhia Upazila Contract Signing between Sylhet City 10 Corporation (SCC) and Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) Management Support to the Mathematical Modelling Centre (MMC) for Water 11 Resources Research & Development Under Water Resources Department, Government of Bihar, India IWM has Initiated a Joint Research Project with Yunnan University China on “Water Resources Vulnerability and Security 11 Assessment of Yarlung Tsangpo – Brahmaputra Transboundary River Basin” Contract signing between Bangladesh 12 Economic Zone Authotrity (BEZA) & IWM Contract signing between DWASA and 12 IWM Contract Signing Between Payra Port 12 Authority (PPA) and IWM Volume 52- June, 2018 Workshop on Linking Urbanising Deltas of the World Research Innovation and Implementation in Delta Management Netherlands Organisation for Scientic Research, Bangladesh Deltaplan 2100 and Institute of Water Modeling jointly organized a workshop on Linking Urbanising Deltas of the World research, innovation and implementation in delta management on 22 January 2018 at Hotel Four Points by Sheraton, Dhaka. Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and H.E. Leoni Margeretha Cuelenaera, Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh were present in the workshop as Special Guests. Inaugural session of the Seminar was chaired by Prof. Dr. M. Monowar Hossain, Executive Director, Institute of Water Modelling and Coordinator, Delta Alliance Bangladesh Wing. Prof. Isa Baud, Chair of the UDW Steering Committee gave an introduction on Urbanizing Deltas of the World and Prof. Dr. Shamsul Alam, Member (GED), Planning Commission and Senior Secretary delivered a concept note on Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100. Dutch Project Leader BDP Prof. Jaap De Heer delivered his presentation on Importance of knowledge and research for BDP 2100 in the workshop. The workshop focused on linking research, innovation and implementation in delta management in Bangladesh, to identify opportunities for improving exchange, use and generation of knowledge directed towards implementation challenges. The UDW research and innovation programme and the BDP2100 will be drawn on as entry points, to enhance the possibilities of UDW to meaningfully contribute to policy and practice. Eminent experts on delta management like Prof. Dr. Ainun Nishat, Dr. A. Atiq Rahman, Dr. Saleemul Huq participated in this workshop. The UDW programme is managed by NWO-WOTRO Science for Global development, a division of the Dutch research council. It focuses on strengthening and improving the use of research for inclusive and sustainable development to the benet of lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). NWO-WOTRO funds research that is closely inter-linked with policy and practice. The UDW programme focuses on improving the understanding of complex delta systems with the aim to contribute to water safety, water and food security, and sustainable economic development, combined with the strong ambition in enhancing the impact and use of such research in the policy and practice of water and delta management. To ensure that research results are more relevant to and accessible for local communities, policy makers, and other practitioners, project researchers have developed initiatives for interaction with the various target groups. During the Technical Session, a lively round table discussion was held in World Café Format, chaired by Senior Secretary & Member (GED), Planning Commission Prof. Dr. Shamsul Alam. Guests from various government and non-government agencies, donors, national and international water and climate experts attended the workshop. 02 Volume 52- June, 2018 Honorable Chairperson IWM Board of Trustees (BOT) & Secretary, MoWR Visits IWM Honorable Chairperson of IWM Board of Trustees and Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Kabir Bin Anwar visited Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) on 3rd April 2018. He was welcomed by Prof. Dr. M. Monowar Hossain, Executive Director of IWM. A short presentation “Brief on IWM and its Role in Water Resources Management of Bangladesh” was presented by the Executive Director. Prof. Dr. M. Monowar Hossain presented Souvenirs and Crest from IWM to Honorable Chairperson. During the meeting, discussions were held about future growth of IWM. Mr. Kabir Bin Anwar expressed his sincere desire for IWM development and making it a more internationally acclaimed organization. Mr. Abu Saleh Khan, DED (Opn.), Dr. A F M Afzal Hossain, DED (P&D) and other senior officials were also present in the meeting. Volume 52- June, 2018 03 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for Extension of Runway at Cox’s Bazar Airport The Government of Bangladesh has taken a masterplan for extension of the Cox’s Bazar Airport in order to develop it as an international air terminal in order to promote tourism industry and handle cargo flights to all over the world.The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) will extend the runway and also the lighting facilities following the international guidelines. The northern part of the extended runway will intrude into the mudflats of the Moheshkhali Channel and the airport lights will be installed on piers in the Moheshkhali Channel. The mudflats will be filled with dredged materials from the riverbeds and shallow areas in the Bakkhali River and the Moheshkhali Channel in order to protect the airport from tidal water and cyclonic surges. CAAB entrusted IWM to carry out an EIA study. Moheshkhali Channel at northern end of the airport The airport area is bounded by the Bay of Bengal at west, the Moheshkhali Channel at north and the Bakkhali river at east. Moreover, the northern part of the proposed runway extension is in the inter-tidal zone of the Moheshkhali Channel. The areas adjacent to the existing Cox’s Bazar airport comprise several habitat types including sandy beaches, mangrove, estuary, river, tidal creeks, commercial enterprises and Spoonbill Sandpiper Cox’s Bazar beach homesteads. The area is important for more than 200 species birds (Rashid and Khan 1987) and about 80-90 species of fish. People are mostly poor and involved in small businesses, fishing, dry fish industry, tourism etc. Enhancement of tourism industry, associated with the development of the airport, will improve sales, income, employment and transport facilities in the area. The increase of cargo flights will have positive impacts on the dry fish, shrimp fry and other industries. A comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is suggested comprising mitigation measures to minimize the negative impacts of the project, guidelines to monitor the proper implementation of the mitigation measures and enhancement measures to compensate the unavoidable residual impacts on the environment. Analysis of available data and results of mathematical model simulations show that the Local Fishermen runway extension works including the protective measures and lighting piers will have insignificant impacts on the hydrology and morphology of the Moheshkhali Channel. As a result, the impact on the flora and fauna including fish, mangroves etc. will be minimum. The dredging work at Bakkhali River and Moheshkhali Channel will increase turbidity in water which may cause harm to the aquatic life in the dredging area. Use of cutter suction dredgers; enclosure of the dredging area by silt curtains; avoiding dredging activities during spring tide; and enclosure and compartmentalization of the land filling area by sand filled geo-tubes are suggested in order to mitigate sediment dispersal in water. The air and noise pollutions are expected to increase due to increase of aircraft operations. Provision of noise barriers (6m high brick walls) near sensitive receptors, proper maintenance of aircrafts, vehicles and machinery, restrictions for use of low noise and air pollution producing air crafts are suggested. The residual impacts of the project may be compensated by taking and sponsoring conservation and habitat improvement initiatives. Re-excavation and restoration of Nazirtek inter-tidal canal will have a positive impact on the improvement of water quality to enhance fish habitat and aesthetic value of airport surroundings as well. Environmental enhancement: Green zone and blue canal The study recommended that EMP shall be included in the bid document and the civil works contracts. Timely implementation of EMP is essential in reducing negative impacts. The Environmental Monitoring Plan shall be strictly followed by executing agency, consultants and contractor to ensure compliance