Finalization of architectural design of 'Haor Bhavan'

In 1974, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman directed the formation of the "Haor Development Board" in order to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life of the people of Haor region. The Haor Development Board was formed through an ordinance in 1977, but it was dissolved in 1982. "Bangladesh Water and Wetland Development Board" was established on September 11, 2000 as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources with the concerted efforts of the Honorable Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and later on July 24, 2016, it became "Bangladesh Water and Wetland Development Directorate" was established. As a result, this department is working to improve the quality of life of about 2 crore backward people in the Haor-Baoor and wetland areas of Bangladesh.

The authorized number of manpower in this department is 118. Apart from this, as various development projects are going on, the activities are being disrupted due to lack of space in the existing one-storey tinned building. In view of the current situation, it is necessary to construct its own multi-storied building in order to run the activities of the Directorate of Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development smoothly. In the above order of the High Court Division of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Writ Petition No. 1683/2014 (Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) vs. Government of Bangladesh and others) with directions for expeditious enactment of the 'Wetlands Protection, Development and Management Act', a provision relating to wetlands development. Instructions were given to form separate ministries. Taking into consideration the current increase in the number of employees of the Department, Ministry of Water Resources 23/07/2017 AD. 42.00.0000.031.007.135.16-613 dated 42.00.0000.031.007.135.16-613 giving administrative approval for the construction of new multi-storied office building on the site of temporary building of Directorate of Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development at 72 Green Road.

Later Bangladesh Water and Wetland Development Directorate No. 42.04.0000.001.28.419.16-142 dated 09/03/2020 requested Chief Engineer, Public Works Department to take necessary measures for building construction. In this regard, Department of Architecture's Memorandum No. 767/1(3) dated 16/08/2020 requested City Public Works Department to send detailed digital survey-design, design CD of the proposed building. Urban Public Works Department accordingly prepared digital survey design (with soft copy) for construction of multi-storied office building of Haor and Wetland Development Directorate and sent it to Directorate of Architecture and Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Directorate for further action. According to the instructions of the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, 8/10 meetings have been held between the Directorate of Bangladesh Water and Wetland Development and the Joint River Commission to construct a multi-storied building on the land used by the Directorate of Bangladesh Water and Wetland Development and the Joint River Commission. Availability of Joint River Commission, along with necessary consents, on the basis of the information provided by the Directorate of Bangladesh Water and Wetland Development, the aesthetic beauty of the building, landscaping and construction of green buildings, floor division (what will be on which floor), car parking, auditorium, staff rooms, project office rooms, The design of the proposed 'Haor Bhavan' has been developed keeping in mind day-care center, prayer place, rest house, dormitory, library, museum, roof top garden etc.

In the design of the proposed Haor Bhawan, the floor divisions are as follows:

Floor division of 'Haor Bhavan'

Semi basement	parking for 12/14 cars
Ground Floor	Reception + Parking (Minimum 08-10 Cars)
1st & 2nd Floo	Auditorium (with capacity of 150-200 people) Wash Block-1
3rd Floor	Director General's Room-1 Staff of Director General (04) persons waiting room Conference room capacity of 80 people Wash Block-1
4th Floor	Administration Department (24 people as per Organogram) *Officers attached bathroom/wash block-1
5th Floor	Agriculture, Water and Environment (21 people as per organogram) *Officers attached bathroom/wash block-1
6th Floor	Planning & ICT (15 people as per Organogram) *Officers attached bathroom/wash block-1 Engineering (09 people as per Organogram) *Officers attached bathroom/wash block-1
7th Floor	Project Offices Daycare center Breast feeding room Women's prayer room Wash Block-1
8th Floor	Training Room-2 (50+50 capacity) Place of Prayer (Purush) Wash Block-1
9th Floor	Computer Lab ICT + Server Wash Block-1
10th Floor	Dormitory (Male+Female) Wash Block-1
11th floor	Rest house + kitchen + dining Wash Block-1
12th floor	Rest house + kitchen + dining Wash Block-1
13th Floor	Haor and Swamp Museum Wash Block-1
Roof top garden	Vegetable/Fruits/Haor Waterfall