RAJSHAHI, Nov 19, 2020 (BSS)- Comprehensive efforts of all the government and non-government agencies and research institutions concerned have become an urgent need to halt the agriculture-based water pollution to protect the ecosystem and biodiversity from all sorts of hazardous conditions.
To this end- Finding out more Action Research and Integrate Academic Course on Farming-based Water Pollution- should be expedited in educational institutions and research bodies. Because excessive and indiscriminate uses of toxic agro-chemicals generate different kinds of risks and trouble in both land and water.
The views were expressed by scores of researchers and experts at the three-day long virtual regional dialogue on ‘Agricultural Water Pollution and Water Management in South Asia’ that ended today.
The United States Department of State (USDOS) and Caritas Switzerland jointly hosted the dialogue with participation of around 73 academics, scientists, development activists and professional leaders from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Switzerland and the USDOS.
Taking part in the discussion, Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan and Prof Giush Uddin Ahmed from Rajshahi University, Dr Aynal Haque from BSS Rajshahi Bureau office, and Sukleash George Costa from Rajshahi Caritas put forward a set of recommendations on how to protect the Rajshahi farming fields and water from pollutions to uphold their productivity to feed the nation.
Prof Sarwar Jahan said the issue of land and water pollution is being adjudged as a serious threat to public health in the present context of exorbitant use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides in farms.
The problem, however, can be mitigated to a greater extent through creating public awareness. “We have to find ways and means on how to end the land and water pollution collectively”.
Substantial and sustainable promotion of organic fertilizers and pesticides is very crucial for protecting the water resources and soil health from pollution for the sake of producing safe food.
In his deliberations, Prof Giush Ahmed said using chemical fertilizers and pesticides in farming fields is always harmful to soil, water, crops, environment and public health as a whole.
So, there is no way but to give utmost importance towards promoting best practices in agriculture widely.
The pollution can be resisted through strict enforcement of the existing laws and regulations as land-based pollution involves a number of interrelated pressures.
Sukleash Costa said an integrated approach combining environment, pesticides and fertilizer authorities so that they can work together to mitigate water pollution caused by agriculture.
Besides, establishment of technologically advanced testing institutes and awareness raising programmes for using pesticides should be taken into consideration.