New publication: Scoping study on salinity in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is increasingly facing the impacts of natural hazards, in particular salinity intrusion in its coastal regions. Among the country’s most pressing environmental challenges, salinity intrusion has emerged as a critical threat to water resources, agricultural productivity, ecosystem health, and rural livelihoods.
Bangladesh’s coastal zone – encompassing districts such as Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Noakhali, and Cox’s Bazar – is among the most dynamic and complex delta regions in the world. This area is highly vulnerable to environmental risks, including annual flooding, cyclones, tidal surges, declining river navigability, and rising sea levels. A substantial part of the coastal region is affected by varying degrees of salinity, placing significant constraints on crop production, freshwater availability, and food security. Furthermore, inland salinisation of soils and water resources is intensifying, driven by both natural processes – such as sea-level rise – and human activities, including land-use changes associated with the expansion of shrimp aquaculture.
A draft version of the study was presented on two occasions to gather expert input and stakeholder feedback. The first presentation took place in Bangladesh at a high-level expert dialogue on 7 January 2025 , organised by the Netherlands Alumni Association of Bangladesh (NAAB) in collaboration with EnvSoL, CEGIS, the James P Grant School of Public Health at BRAC University, and Wageningen University & Research (WUR). The second presentation was held during an online validation workshop on 27 January 2025 which brought together participants from both Bangladesh and the Netherlands, including representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.
The study’s findings are a strong foundation for the development of a multi-year salinity implementation programme. In the next phase of the Saline Water & Food Systems Partnership, the programme will be co-developed in close collaboration with stakeholders from both Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
