Desk Report: In recent times, the country’ ready-made garment factories and textile industries are leading in implementing green policies by introducing rainwater harvesting systems. Their sustainable approach to water management in business practices, is creating much needed positive impacts in the environment, speakers said at a roundtable in Dhaka.
The high volume of water used in industry is an environmental concern because of their dependency on groundwater and it is time to act in ways that protects the long-term sustainability of water supply needed for businesses to grow, said speakers.
The roundtable titled ‘Industrial Rainwater Harvesting- A Sustainable Approach to Water Management,’ organised jointly by WaterAid and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) was held at The Westin Dhaka on February 15, 2022 in the capital.
The programme aimed to initiate dialogue on the business case for industrial sustainable water management focusing on rainwater harvesting system. The discussion explored potential opportunities, challenges, and solutions for sustainable supply chains and environmental impacts, as well as sharing examples of rainwater harvesting practices in garment factories.
Mr Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, was present at the event as the Chief Guest. Ms Hasin Jahan, Country Director, WaterAid, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor. Partha Hefaz Shaikh, Director, Policy & Advocacy, WaterAid, chaired the event and delivered the welcome note. Abrar Hossain Sayem, President, Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association – BAYLA was present among the guests.
Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, said, “BGMEA as a progressive association has emphasized on the sustainable water resource management and actively encouraging factories to adopt rainwater harvesting system. It is the time; industries need to emphasis on rainwater and help to reduce extraction and dependency of ground water.
Hasin Jahan, Country Director of WaterAid said, Hasin Jahan, Country Director of WaterAid said, “To solve the impending water crisis that is depleting the groundwater, harvesting rainwater should be everyone’s business. Industries having ample space on the rooftop can be easily used for rainwater harvesting and demonstrate sustainable solution towards solving the growing water needs for the businesses.
Thanks to BGMEA for demonstrating an unique example to help protect our scare water resources by encouraging the factory owners for adopting rainwater harvesting. WaterAid is committed to working with businesses entities and private sector to fast-track efforts towards water security and environment”
Abrar Hossain Sayem, President, Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association – BAYLA, “Many smart industries put their footprint in the sustainability and water saving process. The industries are adopting rainwater harvesting to reduce the dependency on groundwater to tackle future catastrophes. The young people are the potentials drivers for the economic and social progress of the country. So, it is essential to promote RWH among the youth so that they can become youth advocates for RWH and make a positive impact to reduce water crises in the future.
Apart from the guests, development partners, national business firms, and supply chain stakeholders, representatives from media and academia participated in the event.
The roundtable discussion came to an end with handing of BGMEA’s sustainability report to Hasin Jahan and the distribution of certificates among rainwater harvesting professionals who were trained as part of WaterAid and ITN-BUET collaboration.
