Bangladesh's coastal regions are influenced by a range of intricate natural processes, human activities, and climate change, most of which are not yet well understood. Furthermore, there is a lack of comprehensive monitoring in these areas, which is crucial for collecting data, generating insights, and understanding the impacts of various factors on the coastal environment. This information is essential for guiding future design, rehabilitation, and investment strategies in the region.

To bridge this knowledge gap, the CEIP-I is supporting a comprehensive monitoring and morphological assessment of the Bangladesh Delta, known as the Long-Term Monitoring, Research and Analysis of Bangladesh Coastal Zone (Sustainable Polders Adapted to Coastal Dynamics) Program. Through this initiative, the CEIP-I is developing a framework for polder design and an investment plan based on an improved understanding of, and new insights into, the large-scale dynamics of the delta. Comprehensive data collection and analysis in combination with state-of-the art numerical modeling (2D and 3D) are performed with regards to aspects such as bank erosion, tidal river management, and long-term and large-scale morphodynamic behavior of the delta. All results feed into the future planning and design of the polder system. 

Moreover, the program's analytics have been designed to enrich the empirical evidence of multiple key coastal processes and issues. Notable among these are geomorphological attributes, the process of land subsidence, the impact of tectonic effects, erosion rates, SLR, changes in tidal dynamics, river cross-section changes, meander migration, shoreline changes, and the increase in salinity and its impacts. Key outputs of the study include macro, micro, and mesoscale modeling of the long-term processes in the coastal zone, finalization of approaches for rehabilitation of the polders, including their phasing and construction program, updated design parameters and specifications for planning and design works, review of approaches for the management of polders, and an investment plan for the entire coastal zone. The initiative is also undertaking activities for the capacity building of relevant professionals in the planning, design, and sustainable management of polders.

BDP2100 was adopted by the government of Bangladesh in September 2018 with a vision to achieve a safe, climate resilient and prosperous delta. The BDP 2100 has made paradigm shift in the development planning horizon of Bangladesh by integrating Adaptive Delta Management (ADM) approach as planning and decision-making framework. 

Currently, public sector projects are prepared, processed, and appraised following “Guidelines of Project preparation, processing, approval and revision of public sector Investment Projects” of the government of Bangladesh. These guidelines are not aligned adequately with the principles and approaches of Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP 2100) especially Adaptive Delta Management (ADM). The logical framework used in DPP preparation considers only one future scenario, which is controlled and linear in nature. The proposed solution to this systemic problem is the adoption of “Delta Appraisal Framework (DAF)’ by incorporating ADM principles into it for selecting and appraising BDP 2100 related projects. Green and Climate Resilient Development Policy Credit of World Bank supports the Government of Bangladesh through GED to accelerate the implementation of BDP 2100 to prepare a Delta Appraisal Framework, formulate technical contents of the Delta Act and provide technical annex of Bangladesh Water Rules (2018) to conform to ADM. 

Multi-criteria Analysis (MCA) has been adopted in DAF to evaluate and rank projects for both selection for inclusion in ADP/RADP, investment program and appraisal for approval of BDP 2100 related projects/program. The framework's (DAF) criteria for appraising BDP2100-related projects include alignment with BDP2100 goals and strategies, climate vulnerability and risks, cross-sectoral integration and cost/benefit analysis of delta and climate change components, alternative adaptive pathways, robustness, flexibility, and scalability. In addition to developing the DAF, IWM is provided technical support for policy formulation, including the creation of technical contents for the Delta Act and annexes for the Bangladesh Water Rules (2018).

Bangladesh, a riverine country, enjoys natural advantage of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) historically and the importance of IWT is growing since it is the most economical way of transporting goods.

IWM provided technical service to BIWTA for reclassification of inland waterways considering available depth, waterway importance, IWT traffic intensity and dependency level in present and future conditions. The new classification system has expanded the total length of classified waterways from 5,968 km (classified in 1989) to 16,155 km into six classes, namely Class-S (special), I, II, III, IV and V.

IWM updated SHWL and SLWL using 437 water level gauge stations in Bangladesh analyzing last 25 years’ data. IWM estimated available navigational clearances by surveying 819 bridges and secondary data.

IWM also devised draft new rules for controlling installations in waterways based on the new classification and removing the ambiguities in the previous rules. Moreover, a MIS based database has been developed with hydrological tools to update SHWL and SLWL after every 3-5 years and provided training to BIWTA officials.

Dhaka city is encircled by a 110 km long circular waterway that includes five rivers: Buriganga, Turag (including Tongi Khal), Balu, Shitalakhya and Dhaleswari rivers. Engaged by BIWTA, IWM carried out a study for demarcating the foreshore lines and restore navigability of waterways around Dhaka city.

IWM carried out comprehensive survey works including hydro-morphological survey, drone survey, feature survey, geotechnical investigations, river traffic survey, water and testing of riverbed materials etc. Moreover, the study team carried out extensive field visits and stakeholder consultations to find the key issues.

IWM planned and designed 91,476 m walkway on existing ground, on quay wall and elevated on piles as well as 44,585 m aquatic plantation to demarcate foreshore. Moreover, 5 eco-parks, 7 jetties, 13 landing stations and 50 stairs were also planned and designed.

The study proposed dredging in Turag, and Balu rivers with cutter suction dredger and Buriganga, Dhaleswari and Shitalakhya rivers with grab dredger. Moreover, the contaminated dredged materials were planned to be disposed into confined disposal facility.

Environmental and social investigations as well as economic analysis were also carried out

IWM prepares Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for the dredging activity at the heavily trafficked “Chittagong - Dhaka- Ashuganj” river routes to enhance the Inland water sector. The environment and social management plan was prepared for

1) Improved Inland Waterway Navigation by dredging of shoals and chars. 2) Improved Services at Priority Inland Waterway Terminals and Landing. 3) Institutional Capacity Development and Sustainability.

The navigation route lies within the Meghna estuary. In the beginning project influence area was identified, and the Baseline Survey was conducted for the project region. Baseline survey includes Sampling and analysis of surface water, groundwater, river bed sediments, air quality, and noise quality. An extensive primary survey was conducted along the Upper Meghna and Lower Meghna Rivers and it’s associated floodplain. The Meghna estuary is a migration route of Hilsha fish. Dredging activity will hamper the Fish migration route and fish spawning ground in the major branches of the Meghna estuaries. the animal species, Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Irrawady Dolphin, Crowned River Turtle, Northern River terrapin (Batagur baska), and three-striped Turtle (Batagur dhongoka) are the nationally endangered species located in the Project area.

Dredging activities may cause several negative impacts on the aquatic habitat and fauna due to generation of high sediment flows, disturbance of benthic habitat, noise and emissions from construction machinery, and accidental spillage of fuels. Dredging activities in the Lower Meghna may particularly impact the hilsa if they are carried out during its spawning season of “March -April” and “October-November”. The report proposes an environmental management plan and monitoring plan for the likely adverse impacts.

Sandwip is one of the historical islands of Bangladesh separated from the Chittagong coast by Sandwip Channel. Before November 2018, around 500 residents on the island had electricity for few hours a day through diesel generators and solar power, which was costly and inadequate for local needs of living and production. They had been demanding access to the national grid for long time. In this circumstance, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) had taken up a project titled “Power Distribution System Development Project, for the Chittagong zone” in order to merge Sandwip Island with the national power grid through submarine cables” and engaged Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) through a formal contract agreement signed on 12th May 2015 for planning and supervision of installation and commissioning of 33kv submarine power cable.

Highly active morphology of Sandwip channel was a great challenge to find a suitable location to lay the submarine power cable which is morphologically stable and remain stable for a reasonable lifetime of the cable. Based on the hydrodynamic, mud transport, wave and storm surge model results and analysis of time series satellite images and cross section data of the channel the alignment of the submarine cable & the burial depth of the cable was selected. Moreover, the location of nearest electrical substation, river bed material, present & future road network and social & environmental conditions were also considered for selection of alignment of the submarine cable.

The Meghna Estuary, stretching from Chandpur in the Lower Meghna River to the Bay of Bengal, is a morphologically very dynamic and disaster-prone area, particularly vulnerable to erosion. This region, including the CDSP area, has experienced significant loss of land, properties, and infrastructure due to erosion, with several islands like Noler Char and Boyar Char at imminent risk of disappearing. Other islands in the Meghan Estuary such as Hatiya, Nijhum Dwip, Bhola Island, Dhal char, Char Muzammel, Char Maksumul Hakim, Char Nizam and Andhar Char are also vulnerable to erosion and storm surge inundation. This research focused on to understand the hydraulic and morphodynamical processes that are going on in the estuary and define multipurpose development of stable, publicly accessible, and safe chars by empoldering, and action plan for protection of land and settlement at risk of erosion. Mathematical modelling systems MIKE FM and DELFT 3 D have been used.

Under this research, the available hydrological and morphological data, field surveyed data, satellite images analysis, mathematical modelling both calibrated by IWM and SVASAK team, and stakeholder consultations are applied to present problem and assessing the effectiveness of three potential options.  Option-1 proposes only re-alignment of embankment and regulators at stable location and 27 km protective works from Boyer char to Char Nangulia location for varying lifetimes (5 years, 10 years and 15 years). Option-2 adds a cross dam at Jahazzir Char, and Option-3 is same as Option-2 with an additional cross dam at Urir Char. Construction of cross-dam 1 and cross-dam 2 restrict the flow around Urirchar and Jahazer Char respectively. (Option-2) will lessen erosion in this area while also speeding up land accretion in this location. However, the construction of this cross-dam will necessitate a significant investment as well as extensive investigation, which will be a great challenge to complete in a short period of time. Consequently, Option-1, with a recommended 10-year embankment alignment to protect 70% of productive land, was chosen for its feasibility and effectiveness. Twelve potential chars have been selected for future development, and fifteen cross dam sites have been identified based on recent analyses and consultations.

The Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) initiative in Bangladesh represents a transformative step towards the sustainable management of marine resources, with a particular emphasis on the fisheries sector. Key components include the development of a comprehensive MSP framework, integrating sector-specific needs, stakeholder engagement, and deploying a WebGIS for spatial data management.

IWM conducted a large-scale stakeholder engagement so that the marine spatial planning process considers all interests and knowledge of relevant agencies. Major stakeholders are the Department of Fisheries and its associated government institutes (such as BFRI and BFDC), other government research institutes (such as BORI), existing fishermen, and fish traders (Arotdar). Additionally, users of the marine space include the Port Authority, Petro Bangla, the Department of Forest, the Bangladesh Navy, the Coastguard, and commercial vessels.

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) will help to address challenges such as overfishing, climate change, habitat degradation, and resource competition. Finally, a web-based dashboard application has been created to consolidate all plans onto one map. This application contains detailed information about the location of marine resources, shipping routes, fishing zones, maritime boundaries, and the availability of various fish.