A renowned economist of Yale University. Prof TN Srinivasan yesterday stressed the need for an understanding between Bangladesh. India and Nepal for efficient ua: of water resources of the region.

"I hope my country India will give a much more positive support to the issue." said Prof Srinivasan at a seminar on Water Resources Management' organised by the World Bank (WB) in the city. The seminar was presided over by the Chief of the Bank" resident mission. Pierre Landell-Mills.

Prof Srinivasan said there has to be a quantitative tradeoff between the various objectives of water reservoirs built for dry season supply of water.

These reservoirs may have conflicting objectives regarding different sectors like fisheries. agriculture and forestry which have to be taken into consideration, he added.

Srinivasan underscored the

need for conjunctive use of surface and ground water for Integrated water and land-use planning in Bangladesh.

''Availability of water affects the use of high yielding seeds in agriculture, industry and urbanisation for which it is not sensible to isolate water management from these sectors." he said.

He also said research should be done on alternative ways of using water since the traditional system does not ensure equitable pricing of water and added that the political economy of pricing of water should be looked at critically.

Rashid Faruqee. Principal Economist of the WB. highlighting the major issues for the water sector said management of cross-border flows, international cooperation with riparian countries to share flow of common rivers and Information. and Integrated surface and ground water devel-

opment are Important exogenous issues for Bangladesh.

Talking on endogenous issues, he said assessment of demand, and social costs are needed to be ascertained and an intersectoral balance is necessary.

Dr QK Ahmed of Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad said alleviation of poverty Is needed for sustainable development of water resources.

Dr Atlar Rahman of BIDS, said the community's sovereignty over water resource management system should be incorporated in plans and local wisdom should be valued in planning.

Maritta RV Bieberstein Koch-Weser, Division Chief of WB's Environment and Natural Resources Division. Asia Technical Department, said a long term system of Joint administration of the water basin by all parties is required for efficient water management.