Dhaka, Aug. 25 -- The Government of Bangladesh has, for the first time, declared four water-stressed areas in the country. Following detailed surveys and investigations, 47 unions in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon under the Northwestern Hydrological Region, along with 3 unions in Patiya, Chattogram, have been identified as severely water-stressed zones under Sections 17 and 19 of the Bangladesh Water Act, 2013.

The decision was made at the 18th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Water Resources Council, held on Sunday.

According to the Ministry of Water Resources, water use in these areas will now be regulated in line with the provisions of the Water Act. A special committee has been tasked to finalize within one m...