The Asian Development Bank is helping Bangladesh improve the management of water resources in the southwest of the country. The project supports flood control, drainage and irrigation system upgrades to address current water use problems that are hampering agriculture and fisheries. The additional finance will be used to expand project activities into more geographical areas in the southwest.
| Project Name | Southwest Area Integrated Water Resources Planning and Management Project - Additional Financing | ||||||||
| Project Number | 34418-023 | ||||||||
| Country | Bangladesh |
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| Project Status | Active | ||||||||
| Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Grant Loan |
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| Source of Funding / Amount |
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| Strategic Agendas | Environmentally sustainable growth Inclusive economic growth |
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| Drivers of Change | Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Governance and capacity development Knowledge solutions Partnerships |
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| Sector / Subsector | Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural production - Rural water policy, institutional and capacity development - Water-based natural resources management |
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| Gender Equity and Mainstreaming | Gender equity | ||||||||
| Description | The additional financing will expand the success of the current project to nearby geographical areas in the southwest of the country, aiming at enhancing the livelihood of the rural population by improving the productivity and sustainability of existing underperforming flood control, drainage, and irrigation (FCDI) schemes. It will address constraints on agriculture, fisheries, and livelihood development through holistic and participatory planning, development, and management of water and delivery of support services. | ||||||||
| Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | Water affects various aspects of the livelihoods of the rural population in Bangladesh. The country is on a vast floodplain at the confluence of three major rivers, and has faced significant physical challenges including monsoon floods, changes in river courses due to erosion and sedimentation, water scarcity in the dry season, cyclones, and widespread arsenic contamination of groundwater. The productivity of agriculture, fisheries, and associated nonfarm industries is susceptible to these water-related issues. More than 80% of poor people in Bangladesh live in rural areas and depend on agriculture or fisheries for their livelihoods. Despite a fall in the share in the gross domestic product to 17% in FY2013, agriculture in Bangladesh remains the largest employer, providing jobs for 48% of the population. Access to and effective management of water is essential to improved productivity and livelihoods for rural poor people. Water management is complicated by diverse interests among different water uses including for agriculture, fisheries, navigation, industries, and drinking water. Chronic infrastructure deterioration of existing FCDI schemes, especially large-scale schemes, has impaired water management. The absence of stakeholder participation causes a lack of user ownership, which is followed by rapid deterioration of structures, inefficient and irrelevant planning, and inefficient water use. Managing critical water resources through an integrated and participatory approach is essential for efficient water management; the sustainability of FCDI schemes; and improved livelihood of vulnerable poor people, including women. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided finance for participatory water management projects for small-scale schemes since 1995. The schemes have demonstrated success in improved infrastructure performance through beneficiary participation. To extend integrated and participatory water management to large-scale FCDI schemes, in 2005 ADB approved a $20 million equivalent loan for the current Southwest Area Integrated Water Resources Planning and Management Project. The project also received $12.5 million of cofinancing from the Government of the Netherlands. The project supports the establishment of participatory water management organizations (WMOs) with the inclusion of socially disadvantaged groups; integrated water resources management planning; infrastructure renovation; and coordinated support services for WMOs in the two pilot subprojects, comprising the Narail and Chenchuri Beel FCDI schemes with a total area of 57,000 hectares (ha). The current project successfully demonstrated that the participatory approach can improve the water resources management of large FCDI schemes. Renovation of water management infrastructure and improved capacity of WMOs in the two targeted subproject areas has been completed with satisfactory achievement of anticipated targets. In total, 116 WMOs, consisting of 102 water management groups (WMGs) and 14 higher-tier water management associations (WMAs), have been organized and trained and are effectively functioning in the two subproject areas. Capacity enhancement activities for WMOs are demonstrating visible proactive WMO activities in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and collective livelihood actions. Operation and maintenance (O&M) of small structures have been handed over to WMOs, after development of O&M manuals and WMO O&M capacity. The additional financing will replicate the successful Southwest project in nine additional subprojects with a total area of 84,000 ha in nearby areas. Through additional experiences by applying knowledge and experience acquired from the Southwest project, BWDBs institutional capacity for participatory water resources management is expected to be enrooted. Based on the lessons learned through the successor project, the design of the institutional strengthening component will be further strengthened by establishment of a national capacity enhancement support mechanism under BWDB to ensure sustainability of participatory water resource management by WMOs. The project is in line with government and ADB strategies. Economic growth and poverty reduction are the main objectives of the governments Sixth Five-Year Plan, FY2011-FY2015. Achieving food security is considered essential to accomplishing these objectives. Food security and agricultural productivity are also part of ADBs strategic priorities for 2014-2020 in the action plan of the Midterm Review of Strategy 2020. |
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| Impact | Enhanced economic growth and reduced poverty in rural areas of the selected districts in the southwest area (Sixth Five-Year Plan, FY2011-FY2015) | ||||||||
| Project Outcome | |
|---|---|
| Description of Outcome | Enhanced productivity and sustainability of the selected existing FCDI systems |
| Progress Toward Outcome | 113 WMG formed out of 114 WMGs projected under Batch-1.Procurement ongoing for seven schemes. As of 31 December 2018, tender for 186.67 km khal in 28 packages, 13.492 km re-sectioning in 1 package, 1.450km retired embankment in 1 package, 1.00 km river bank protection work in 3 packages, construction of one regulator in one package, repair of eight regulators in two packages, one inspection bunglow at jessore in one package and 1 (one) 3 storied PMO Building at Faridpur (total 38 package) have been invited. Among 38 packages, 29 packages already awarded. |
| Implementation Progress | |
| Description of Project Outputs | Output 1: WMOs'' capacity for sustainable water resources planning and management in the subproject areas strengthened Output 2: Infrastructure facilities of FCDI schemes in the subproject areas are restored Output 3: Institutional capacity for sustainable participatory integrated water resources planning and management strengthened |
| Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | Two completed in Phase I. Tendering for 7 schemes ongoing and for remaining 2 schemes will be started within 28 Feb 2019 after approval of IWMP. Will be assessed at completion Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Nine completed in Phase I. 2 IWMP will be endorsed by JMC & DLI APEC by 31 Mar 2019. 102 completed in Phase I. Under batch-1, 114 WMG will be formed out of which ad-hoc committee formed for all 114 WMGs. Formation completed for 113 WMGs. Fourteen completed in Phase I. 9 SIP report for batch 1 completed, 7 SIP will be completed by 30 Sept 2019, 6 SIP will be completed by 30Sept 2020. Enrolment of members 39,273 (female 22,913) |
| Geographical Location | Faridpur, Gopalganj, Magura, Rajbari |
| Safeguard Categories | |
|---|---|
| Environment | B |
| Involuntary Resettlement | B |
| Indigenous Peoples | C |
| Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
|---|---|
| Environmental Aspects | An initial environmental examination was prepared to cover nine subprojects to be implemented under the additional financing in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009). Considering the nature of the project and the location, the project activities are not expected to generate any significant adverse environment impact that is irreversible, long term, or cumulative. The subproject areas are not located within or close to any protected areas or ecologically important areas. The subproject areas are not environmentally sensitive. Potential environmental impacts will occur mainly during construction, such as dust and sediment pollution of water, and are temporary and reversible. Mitigation measures have been incorporated into the environmental management and monitoring plan. The potential environmental impacts related to the operation of structures are not expected to be significant, because the project will renovate existing structures, except 1.5 kilometers (km) of a new embankment that is replacing a breached portion of an existing embankment system. Stakeholders to be affected have been consulted. |
| Involuntary Resettlement | The rehabilitation and construction works will be located within the right-of-way of existing structures or in locations where no land acquisition is involved, except the new 1.5 km embankment. It requires 2.74 ha of land acquisition consisting of 49 plots. This land acquisition will affect 55 households, of which 45 households comprising 183 people will lose 10% or more of their productive land. No structure will be affected, and no household will be physically displaced. The resettlement plan for the new embankment was prepared in accordance with the government's laws and regulations and ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement. Precise locations of the rehabilitationof existing existing structures, including resectioning of existing embankements will be determined during the implementation of the additional financing through the beneficiary participatory planning. The locations will be selected to avoid involuntary resettlement but there remains a possibility that involuntary resettlement will be unavoidable. As a prudent measure, a resettlement framework was prepared, in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement, should any involuntary resettlement issue arise. |
| Indigenous Peoples | There are no indigenous peoples as defined for operational purposes by ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement in the project area. |
| Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
| During Project Design | Consultations with local communities were held with a focus on women, the landless, and other vulnerable groups in the subproject areas. Relevant government agencies were also consulted. |
| During Project Implementation | The entire project is designed for participatory water resources planning and management. Consultations will be held with a focus on women, the landless, and other vulnerable groups in the subproject areas regarding (i) livelihood issues, including agriculture and fisheries; (ii) formation of WMOs; (iii) possible solutions to resolve the constraints identified; and (iv) institutional mechanisms to address those constraints. Water users will participate in the project for formation of WMOs, water resources planning, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, and minor civil works. They will also receive capacity development and livelihood support training. The executing agency will also work with close coordination and collaboration with relevant government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture Extension and Department of Fisheries. |
| Business Opportunities | |
|---|---|
| Consulting Services | All consulting services will be carried out in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants. |
| Procurement | All consulting services will be carried out in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines. |
| Responsible ADB Officer | Ahmad, Zahir U. |
| Responsible ADB Department | South Asia Department |
| Responsible ADB Division | Bangladesh Resident Mission |
| Executing Agencies |
Bangladesh Water Development Board 3 DIT Extension Avenue Hoque Chamber, Motijheel Commercial Area Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Timetable | |
|---|---|
| Concept Clearance | - |
| Fact Finding | 25 Mar 2015 to 07 Apr 2015 |
| MRM | 25 Jun 2015 |
| Approval | 30 Sep 2015 |
| Last Review Mission | - |
| Last PDS Update | 27 Mar 2019 |
Grant 0441-BAN
| Milestones | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
| Original | Revised | Actual | |||
| 30 Sep 2015 | 13 Dec 2015 | 06 Jan 2016 | 31 Dec 2022 | - | - |
| Financing Plan | Grant Utilization | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
| Project Cost | 7.00 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
| ADB | 0.00 | 30 Sep 2015 | 0.00 | 4.91 | 70% |
| Counterpart | 0.00 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
| Cofinancing | 7.00 | 30 Sep 2015 | 0.00 | 2.97 | 42% |
| Status of Covenants | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Sector | Safeguards | Social | Financial | Economic | Others |
| Rating | Satisfactory | - | - | - | - | Satisfactory |
Loan 3302-BAN
| Milestones | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
| Original | Revised | Actual | |||
| 30 Sep 2015 | 13 Dec 2015 | 06 Jan 2016 | 31 Dec 2022 | - | - |
| Financing Plan | Loan Utilization | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
| Project Cost | 56.70 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
| ADB | 45.00 | 30 Sep 2015 | 20.13 | 0.00 | 45% |
| Counterpart | 11.70 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
| Cofinancing | 0.00 | 30 Sep 2015 | 17.47 | 0.00 | 39% |
| Status of Covenants | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Sector | Safeguards | Social | Financial | Economic | Others |
| Rating | Satisfactory | - | - | - | - | Satisfactory |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
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Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
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Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
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Related Publications
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Tenders
No tenders for this project were found.
Contracts Awarded
| Contract Title | Approval Number | Contract Date | Contractor | Contractor Address | Executing Agency | Contract Description | Total Contract Amount (US$) | Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institutional Strengthening and Project Management Consultant | Loan 3302 | 14 Jun 2017 | JV of Haskoningdhv NBV and Devcon Ltd. | Laan Van 1914, No. 35, Amersfoort, Netherlands | Bangladesh Water Development Board | Consulting Services | 10,037,246.00 | 4,906,559.00 |
Procurement Plan
| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Area Integrated Water Resources Planning and Management Project - Additional Financing: Procurement Plan | Procurement Plans | Mar 2017 |