The Delta Study Centre (DSC) of University of Dhaka, hosted a one-day conference today at the Prof. M A Latif Auditorium of the Department of Geology, University of Dhaka. The DSC was established in 1991 with the goal of advancing Bengal Delta studies. Every year, the DSC provides research funds to projects focused on the Bengal Delta. Today, the DSC hosted an Annual Delta Conference, which was chaired by DSC Director Prof. Dr. Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed and featured eminent national and international delta scholars. Prof. Dr. A S M Maksud Kamal, Honorable Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), and Prof. Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman, Dean, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, respectively, attended the program as chief guest and special guest.

Renowned Earth Scientist Prof. Dr. Steven L. Goodbred of Vanderbilt University in the United States of America addressed as keynote speaker and presented his 27 years valuable research experiences on the delivery and dispersal of Himalayan sediment to the Bengal delta and its paleoenvironmental implications for climate change reaction. Prof. Dr. Maksud Kamal stressed the need of such gatherings, noting that the Bengal Delta is the world’s most densely inhabited region, with significant implications for climate change, sediment transport, groundwater management, and other issues. Prof. Kamal also endorsed such activities because they align with the Delta Plan 2100 goals of the Bangladesh government. Prof. Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman addressed the necessity on the research of Bengal Delta and thanks to the organizers and guests of today’s event. Invited speaker Prof. Dr. Badrul Imam of the Department of Geology, DU addressed on the new hydrocarbon potential on the Bengal Delta region and emphasized on the exploration activities for unexplored stratigraphic hydrocarbon reservoirs in this region. Dr. Anwar Zahid of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) delivered his presentation on the sustainable groundwater resources management of the Bengal deltaic region.

Mr. Abdul Baquee Khan Majlis and his teams of Bangladesh Geological Survey (GSB) delivered their speeches on Bengal Basin and GBM delta process. Finally, Delta Study Centre’s awardees from the faculty members of Dhaka University presented their research on various aspects of the delta plan, including energy resources, groundwater and surface water management, groundwater contamination, channel morphodynamics, coastal vulnerability due to sea level change and salinity, soil carbon stock, and reclamation of coastal soil within the Bengal Deltaic region of Bangladesh.