The Delta Plan is a comprehensive water management plan implemented by the government of Bangladesh. It aims to address the challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and natural disasters in the country, with a particular focus on the delta region. The plan is designed to promote sustainable development, improve water resource management, and enhance the livelihoods of people living in the delta.
Key features of the Delta Plan include:
- Holistic Approach: The Delta Plan takes a holistic and cross-sectoral approach to address the complex challenges faced by the delta region. It integrates various sectoral plans and policies to ensure coordinated actions and allocation of resources [2].
- Long-Term Vision: The plan covers a long-term period of 50-100 years, allowing for strategic and comprehensive planning to reduce climate risks and environmental losses in the delta region [2].
- Hotspot Identification: The Delta Plan identifies six proposed hotspots in the delta region based on hydrological characteristics and climate risks. These hotspots include areas such as Barind and Drought-Prone Areas, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Coastal Zone, Haor and Flash Flood Areas, River Systems and Estuaries, and Urban Areas [2].
- Climate Risk Reduction: The plan outlines adaptive measures and strategies to reduce climate risks in the delta region. These strategies are categorized for the national level, hotspots, and other cross-cutting issues. They aim to achieve long-term goals step-by-step, considering projected climate scenarios and expert reports [2].
- Implementation and Funding: The implementation of the Delta Plan is supported by the development of a Delta Act, the establishment of a Bangladesh Delta Governance Council, Bangladesh Delta Commission, Bangladesh Delta Fund, and a Delta Knowledge Portal and Data Bank. The plan requires significant investment, with an estimated cost of US$ 38 billion in its Investment Plan (2017-2030) [2].
The Delta Plan is crucial for Bangladesh’s economic growth and development, as it helps mitigate the impacts of climate change, ensures water resource management, and improves the livelihoods of people in the delta region. By implementing the plan, Bangladesh aims to eliminate extreme poverty, create more jobs, sustain GDP growth, increase trade and navigational opportunities, strengthen food security, and reduce urban and coastal zone migration [1].
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