National Water Policy.

This Policy concerns the exploration, development, use and management of water resources of Bangladesh. It will be of guidance in the management of the country's water resources by all the concerned ministries, agencies, departments, and local bodies that are assigned responsibilities for the development, maintenance, and delivery of water and water related services as well as the private users and developers of water resources.
The Policy aims to provide direction to all agencies working with the water sector and institutions that relate to the water sector for achievement of specified objectives. Those objectives include: a) to address issues related to the harnessing and development of all forms of surface water and ground water and management of these resources in an efficient and equitable manner; b) to ensure the availability of water to all segments of the population and to take into account the particular needs of women and children; c) to accelerate the development of sustainable public and private water delivery systems with appropriate legal and financial measures and incentives, including delineation of water rights and water pricing; d) to bring institutional changes that will help decentralise the management of water resources and enhance the role of women in water management; e) to develop a legal and regulatory environment that will help the process of decentralisation, sound environmental management, and improve the investment climate for the private sector in water development and management; f) to develop a state of knowledge and capability that will enable the country to design future water resources management plans by itself with economic efficiency, gender equity, social justice and environmental awareness to facilitate achievement of the water management objectives through broad public participation.
The main body of the Policy sets forth objectives and measures with respect to: River Basin Management; Planning and Management of Water Resources; Water Rights and Allocation; Public and Private Involvement; Public Water Investment; Water Supply and Sanitation; Water and Agriculture; industrial water use; Water and Fisheries and Wildlife; water and navigation; Water for Hydropower and Recreation; Water for the Environment; Water for Preservation of specific water bodies of scenic beauty; Economic and Financial Management of water; Research and Information Management; Stakeholder Participation.
The Policy also concerns institutional and legal reforms.