[🇧🇩] India's Water Terrorism Against Bangladesh

[Saif]

Historic Farakka Long March Day today: IFC urges govt to save common rivers

Breaking News, International News & Multimedia

thedailynewnation.com

Historic Farakka Long March Day today: IFC urges govt to save common rivers
16 May 2024, 12:00 am

Staff Reporter :

The International Farakka Committee (IFC) has called on the government and all stakeholders to work together to protect Bangladesh's 54 common rivers and environment.

Their statement coincides with Farakka Long March Day, which commemorates a historic march led by Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani in 1976 to protest India's withdrawal of water from the Ganges River.

The IFC lauded Bhasani's movement, which ultimately led to the signing of the 1977 Ganges water treaty. However, the situation has deteriorated with water being diverted from all 54 shared rivers, causing water scarcity during dry seasons and floods during monsoons.

Bangladesh shares 57 transboundary rivers, 54 with India and 3 with Myanmar. The 1977 treaty, due to expire in two years, doesn't guarantee Bangladesh's dry season water share due to unregulated diversions upstream of Farakka.

The Teesta River exemplifies the problem with India diverting its entire dry season flow, while opening all gates during the monsoon, causing floods and erosion in Bangladesh which displaces families and damages crops every year.

Moulana Bhasani's historic Farakka Long March, done just six months before his death, thus remains relevant to this day. The great leader united the people in favour of the demand for the due share of water in the Ganges. The people now should get due shares of all 54 common rivers to protect the riverine country from environmental decline, loss of life, and livelihoods.

The IFC leaders urged the government to pursue the path of basinwide sustainable and integrated management of the common rivers to keep those alive up to the sea and protect Bangladesh created by them over the millennia.

The signatories to the statement were Sayed Tipu Sultan, secretary general; Mohammad Hossain Khan, joint secretary general; Ataur Rahman Ata, organising secretary of IFC New York; Prof. Jasim Uddin Ahmad, president; Syed Irfanul Bari, general secretary of IFC Bangladesh; and Mostafa Kamal Majumder, coordinator, IFC.​

 

[Bilal9]

Indian Foreign Secretary in town, when China is about to ink the Teesta Barrage deal with Bangladesh Govt. and sooner, a military exercise by Bangladesh Army with the PLA.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/346018/indian-foreign-secretary-arrives

 

[Saif]

Teesta project: Does Bangladesh have no alternative to China and India?

Discover the geopolitical implications of India's objection to China's Teesta project proposal. Learn about the potential impact on Bangladesh and the ongoing efforts to secure its rights to the Teesta river.

en.prothomalo.com

Teesta project: Does Bangladesh have no alternative to China and India?

China had given Bangladesh a proposal regarding the management of the river Teesta. According to media reports, recently India has given Bangladesh a similar proposal. What is in these proposals regarding the management of Teesta? Will these offer any permanent solution to the problems of the river? Given the prevailing economic realities, what should Bangladesh actually do? Nazrul Islam searches for answers.
Nazrul Islam
Updated: 16 May 2024, 23: 07

The issue of Teesta arose once again during the recent two-day visit of India's foreign secretary to Bangladesh. Before his visit, India's influential daily The Hindu reported that China's project for Teesta in Bangladesh was a matter of concern for India. After all, it was located near the strategically important Siliguri corridor and northeastern states. Elaborating on the background of the project, it was noted that India had failed to finalise the Teesta water-sharing agreement, which served to heighten Dhaka's impatience over the future of river-related initiatives. (Jugantor, 8 May 2024)

It seems, ostensibly, that one of the major objectives of the secretary's Dhaka trip was to keep Bangladesh away from China's Teesta-related project. During the trip, the Indian secretary offered Indian funding for the Teesta project. This can be called a proposal to "implement China's project with the exclusion of China."

Back in 2016 there was talk of a plan drawn up by PowerChina regarding Teesta. That year before the Dhaka visit of China's President Xi Jinping, PowerChina drew up a comprehensive management project for Bangladesh's major rivers.

At the outset, this initiative was centred on the river Jamuna. However, at the request of Bangladesh Water Development Board, Teesta river was included too. In continuance to this, PowerChina drew up the billion dollar 'Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project'.

The Bangladesh government has apparently maintained a strict "policy of secrecy" regarding this project from the very beginning. As representatives of the people, the government of Bangladesh takes loans for such projects and it is the people who in some way or the other have to repay these loans. So it is not comprehensible why the people will not know about this project and not be able to express their views in this regard.

It is even more ironic that PowerChina has made a video regarding this project and has publicised this worldwide over YouTube. So rather than learning about a project involving their own country from their own government, the people of Bangladesh got to know about it from a foreign company.

All said and done, Bangladesh's investigative journalists managed to dig out some information about the project, such as the preliminary development project proposal (PDPP). From this PDPP and PowerChina's video, as well as from other sources, we have managed to get some sort of idea about the project.

Professor of geology at the Commonwealth University in the US, Md Khalequzzaman, carried out research on the basis of such information. In light of available data, information and research, I presented detailed deliberation on the Teesta mega plan in two books. These two books are 'Bangladeshe Pani Unnayan: Bortoman Dharar Shongkot Ebong Bikolpo Pother Prostab (2023) and Water Development in Bangladesh: Past, Present and Future (2022). The two books talk about alternative strategies for the development of the Teesta basin.

Data, information and research tell us that the basic proposal of China's project is to cut Teesta river's present average breadth of around 3km to 0.816 metres (that is around one-fourth). By this, around 171 sq km of land can be recovered and used for urbanisation, establishing a solar power project, agriculture development and establishing settlements.

The project says that by means of dredging, the depth of Teesta will be increased from the present 5 metres to 10 metres (that is, double). It is expected that this will increase Teesta's navigability. The project has more proposals for construction of jetties, ports and roads.

From its name it is clear that PowerChina's main area of work is power generation. This company is working as construction contractors for several power project companies in Bangladesh. It is not clear from when, how, and how far this company became expert in the field of river management.

Given this backdrop, it is not very surprising that PowerChina has come up with an "disquieting" proposal for the river Teesta. It is clear that if the river's breadth is reduced to one-fourth, even of its depth doubled, the river's cross-section will be half and of the volume of its flow remains the same, the velocity of its flow will be double. As a result, erosion in Teesta's sandy river basin will intensify and the embankments on the river banks will not be able to withstand this.

Around 50 million tonnes of silt flows in with the river Teesta annually. So the increased depth of Teesta brought about by dredging will soon decrease. This will make the erosion of the banks worse. And it will be even more difficult for Teesta with its drastically narrowed breadth to contain the compounded flow of water during the monsoon and flash floods.

The bottom line is, PowerChina's Teesta project will not offer any permanent solution to the problems of this river. Given these circumstances, it would not be wise of Bangladesh to go ahead with this project.

Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) from 2013 has been urging the government to take up a 'transit in exchange of rivers' policy. It is a matter of regret that the government did not adopt this. On the contrary, it has given India transit, transshipment, port, and river route facilities, being given nothing in exchange.

Under such circumstances, it is sheer irony for the Indian foreign secretary to come along with a proposal to fund the Teesta-related project instead of increasing its flow. It would not bode well for Bangladesh in the long run to go ahead to implement this project with loans either from China or India.

It must be kept in mind that the scope for Bangladesh to indiscriminately take loans to implement questionable projects has come to an end. As it is, Bangladesh's accumulated foreign debt has reached around USD 1 billion (USD 100 crore) and the liability for annual repayment of foreign loans is around USD 5 billion.

In the next couple of years when debts from other project loans including of Rooppur loom up, this liability will grow further and a crisis may emerge. Bangladesh has already borrowed around USD 5 billion from IMF to replay foreign debt. Media reports say efforts are also being made to borrow from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, etc. In a situation of "taking loans to replay loans", the sooner the questionable PowerChina project is shelved, the better.

So what is the way out for Bangladesh? There are two ways.

One is, ensuring that India gives Bangladesh its due rights to Teesta river. If Indian genuinely wants good for Bangladesh regarding Teesta, then it must stop withdrawing water from Teesta in the dry season by means of the Gajoldoba barrage. India's central government claims it can do nothing as West Bengal is not acquiescing. There is little scope to unearth the truth behind such excuses. There are 15 more constructed, under-construction and planned structures, including the Gajoldoba barrage, to obstruct and withdraw water along upstream Teesta -- and all of these are projects of India's central government.

Flash floods for Bangladesh are another fallout of the Gajoldoba and other barrages constructed on Teesta. As it is Teesta is prone of flash floods. Now those operating the Gajoldoba barrage, open the barrage gates at their convenience, resulting in flashfloods in Bangladesh's Teesta basin. There were flash floods around seven times last year. For the people of Bangladesh's Teesta basin, India's stance may seem like, "we'll inundate you with floods, scorch you with drought."

With an adequate number of countries ratifying the 1997 UN convention for use of international watercourses, the convention has come into effect. The convention clearly states the rules and regulations that countries must follow regarding the use of common rivers. This convention projects the rights of the downstream countries. Bangladesh must ratify this convention and call upon India to ratify it too.

It must be noted that simply good intentions are not enough to ensure one's rights regarding rivers. In this instance, just as India is taking advantage of its geographical location, Bangladesh too must make use of its opportunities. It is from this angle that Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) from 2013 has been urging the government to take up a 'transit in exchange of rivers' policy.

It is a matter of regret that the government did not adopt this. On the contrary, it has given India transit, transshipment, port, and river route facilities, being given nothing in exchange. This has diminished Bangladesh's leverage to earn its rightful demand from India. Even so, Bangladesh must make all-out efforts to ensure its rights from India regarding common rivers as recognised in the UN 1997 convention.

The other way out is, to go ahead for the restoration of the Teesta basin in a manner best suited for the country's conditions, with local expertise and people's participation, instead of running after foreign funding, consultation, so-called expertise, etc. Teesta must be reconnected with all its tributaries and branches. All old canals, drains, bils and other water bodies must be restored and connected.

If all these tasks can be carried out, then extra water flow during the monsoons can be contained, irrigation water will be available in winter and flash floods can be tackled. The sooner Bangladesh advances toward in these two directions, the better.

* Dr Nazrul Islam is visiting professor, Asian Growth Research Institute and former chief of development research at the UN.​

 

[Deleted due to Error (Muji Iqbal)]

Then Bangladesh government should take the matter to United Nations and International Court of Justice about unfair water distribution.

 

[Saif]

Then Bangladesh government should take the matter to United Nations and International Court of Justice about unfair water distribution.

Did that twice in the past. Nothing happened

 

[Saif]

Call resonates to sign basin-based water treaties with India

Breaking News, International News & Multimedia

thedailynewnation.com

Call resonates to sign basin-based water treaties with India
19 May 2024, 1:55 am

Staff Reporter :

A discussion meeting held on Saturday at the Jatiya Press Club commemorated the historic Farakka Long March, led by the late Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.

Speakers at the event, organized by the International Farakka Committee (IFC), highlighted the vital role of river waters in safeguarding Bangladesh's existence and sovereignty.

The discussions revolved around the impact of the Farakka Barrage, constructed by India on the Ganges River.

Speakers recalled that in May 1976, just months before his passing, Maulana Bhasani led a historic Long March demanding an end to India's unilateral withdrawal of Ganges water.

Concerns were raised about India opening the Farakka Barrage on a trial basis without a formal agreement for water sharing on this transboundary river.

This unilateral action, speakers noted, resulted in a significant decrease in water flow reaching Bangladesh, severely impacting agriculture, fisheries, and riverine transportation.

The Farakka Long March, however, is remembered as a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's history.

The movement fostered national unity and garnered international support for Bangladesh's water rights. This collective effort ultimately led to the signing of the first Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in 1977.

The discussion featured prominent figures, including Jatiya Party Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider as the chief guest.

Writer Siraj Uddin Sathi, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu (President of Bhasani Anusari Parishad), Mostafizur Rahman Iran (Chairman of Bangladesh Labour Party), Gaziul Hasan Khan (former Chief Editor of BSS), and Rashed Prodhan (JAGPA senior vice-president) all participated in the event, chaired by IFC Coordinator Mostafa Kamal Majumder.

Speakers underscored that the importance of the Farakka Long March resonates more than ever today. The speakers further said that Bangladesh faces a new challenge as water diversion upstream on 54 out of 57 rivers are shared with India. This unilateral withdrawal is causing rivers like the Teesta to dry up, devastating agricultural yields and livelihoods.

Jatiya Party Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, delivering the keynote address, emphasized the critical threat, he said, "India's actions are destroying Bangladesh's rivers and water resources, leading to desertification." He urged for national unity to confront this challenge. "Our lands are shaped by rivers," he declared. "Water and sovereignty are one and the same."

Dr. Mostafizur Rahman echoed these concerns, highlighting the dire consequences of water withdrawal from Bangladesh's shared rivers. He stressed the importance of educating younger generations about the significance of the Farakka Long March.

Siraj Uddin Sathi spoke about the necessity of national unity in securing Bangladesh's water rights. He pointed out a concerning disparity: "India has voices raised against the Farakka Barrage, while Bangladesh seems silent on the issue."

The impending expiration of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in 2026 and the lack of a Teesta River agreement were also addressed. Speakers urged the government to leverage national consensus in pursuing basin-based water-sharing agreements with India for all shared rivers.​

 

[Saif]

China proposal on Teesta project feasibility under consideration: PM

The government is considering a proposal for a detailed feasibility study for implementation of the Teesta river-restoration and-management project, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the question arose in parliament Wednesday. She was responding to the question raised by lawmaker Hamidul

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

China proposal on Teesta project feasibility under consideration: PM
She apprises parliament during question hour
Published :
Jun 13, 2024 00:52
Updated :
Jun 13, 2024 00:52

The government is considering a proposal for a detailed feasibility study for implementation of the Teesta river-restoration and-management project, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the question arose in parliament Wednesday.
She was responding to the question raised by lawmaker Hamidul Huq Khondker of Kurigram-2 constituency, close by the border river that dries up in summer and overflows in rainy season and thus affects life and economic activity in vast northern area.

Detailing on the status of the multipurpose barrage scheme, the prime minister said with a view to implementing the Tk 821-billion project the government had prepared a preliminary development project proposal and sent it to the Economic Relations Division for seeking foreign assistance.

"At the 51st meeting of an ERD committee that is responsible for mobilising foreign funds, it was decided that a proposal would be sent to China for funding the project on easier terms," she said.

Bangladesh sent the PDPP of the project to China in March 2021, through the Chinese Embassy, seeking loan for implementation of the project.

After evaluating the PDPP, the Chinese government identified some weaknesses in the project and they sent their recommendations on the project to the government in March this year.

"The Chinese government, in their evaluation, mentioned a lack of detailed proposal on land development and water navigation. They also suggested downsizing the project through excluding some of the components and also recommended implementing the project in phases," the premier told the House.

A Chinese company, 'Power China', had sent a proposal to the Water Development Board for detailed feasibility study of the project, which is now under consideration of the development, she apprised the lawmakers.

Earlier, responding to another question from Farida Yasmin MP, Prime Minister Hasina told the parliament that BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Zia and 14 other convicts of the August 21, 2004 grenade-attack case are fugitives.

To the question from the treasury-bench lawmaker, Farida Yasmin, during the question-answer session, Sheikh Hasina said 34 convicts were arrested while 15 others, including Tarique Rahman alias Tarique Zia, are fugitives out of 49 in total.

The Leader of the House said a total of 49 accused got various sentences that include capital punishment and life-term imprisonment in the trial of the grenade case in Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal No-1 on October 10, 2018.

"Of the convicts, 19 were sentenced to death, 19 others to life imprisonment while the rest 11 to various jail terms," she added.​

 

[Deleted due to Error (Muji Iqbal)]

Report it to United Nations and International Court of Justice Then.

 

[Saif]

Report it to United Nations and International Court of Justice Then.

Sheikh Hasina won't do it. She is too pro-India to do anything that could embarrass India

 

[Saif]

The Indian journalist said there was no reason why India would fail to share water of Teesta river with Bangladesh.

 

[Bilal9]

The Indian journalist said there was no reason why India would fail to share water of Teesta river with Bangladesh.

I don't think Teesta issue stems from inability to share by the center. It is a West Bengal State (ergo, CM) issue.

"Didi" is the problem. It'd be political suicide for her. BJP already calls her "Mumtaz Begum" instead of Mamata Banerjee, saying she appeases Muslims too much in her state.

 

[Saif]

I don't think Teesta issue stems from inability to share by the center. It is a West Bengal State (ergo, CM) issue.

"Didi" is the problem. It'd be political suicide for her. BJP already calls her "Mumtaz Begum" instead of Mamata Banerjee, saying she appeases Muslims too much in her state.

Delhi is able to show more political acumen than we think. They are using Mamata Banerjee as an excuse to deprive Bangladesh of its legitimate share of water of Teesta river.

 

[Saif]

I think India has successfully kicked China out from the Teesta River Management project by offering her support to implement it. It is also to be noted that by offering support to implement the Teesta Management Project, India has clearly gave a message that there will be no agreement between Bangladesh and India regarding the sharing of Teesta river water.

BD, India to work on shared vision

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi Saturday vowed to collaborate in realising their respective visions of 'Smart Bangladesh' and 'Viksit Bharat' as they witnessed the signing of wide-ranging bilateral cooperation pacts. The common consent w

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Technical team to visit Bangladesh soon to discuss Teesta conservation: Modi
Published :
Jun 22, 2024 18:08
Updated :
Jun 22, 2024 18:08

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that a technical team would soon visit Bangladesh to discuss the conservation and management of the Teesta River.
"We have decided to initiate technical-level talks on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. For the conservation and management of Teesta river in Bangladesh, a technical team will visit Bangladesh soon," PM Modi said after a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently in New Delhi on a two-day state visit to India, was accorded a warm ceremonial reception by her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.​

 

[Saif]

তিস্তা চুক্তিতে আগ্রহ নেই ভারতের!

 

[Saif]

China, India in tug of war over Teesta project in Bangladesh

Beijing and New Delhi are on a collision course after India’s latest proposal to finance the Teesta river restoration and management project when China has already offered...

www.newagebd.net

China, India in tug of war over Teesta project in Bangladesh
Mustafizur Rahman 24 June, 2024, 00:00

Beijing and New Delhi are on a collision course after India's latest proposal to finance the Teesta river restoration and management project when China has already offered both financial and technical support for the same project.

Tension grew between the two countries as the matter was discussed during Sheikh Hasina's bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during her June 21–22 visit to New Delhi, her second trip to the country in 15 days.

Hasina earlier visited India on June 9 to attend Modi's oath-taking for the third consecutive term.

A Chinese minister arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a four-day visit that coincided with Hasina's return from Delhi.

The visiting minister, Liu Jianchao, is scheduled to call on prime minister Hasina today ahead of her planned bilateral visit to China in the second week of July, foreign ministry officials confirmed.

Before Hasina's Delhi visit, India expressed its willingness to support the implementation of the proposed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Plan in Bangladesh's north, a strategically important location for India where China has already completed a survey for a $1 billion project.

Indian external affairs secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra conveyed his country's interest during a courtesy call on foreign minister Hasan Mahmud in Dhaka in May.

'India's interest in the Teesta management project conveyed recently has obviously created some tension with China due to the timing of the proposal from New Delhi, as Dhaka has already sought Beijing's support for the development project,' said retired diplomat Munshi Faiz Ahmad, who also served as Bangladesh ambassador to China.

Faiz, also a former chairman of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, told New Age that India's purpose behind the move seemed to counter China on its strategically important location.

Foreign minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday welcomed India's announcement of sending a technical team to discuss Teesta management.

Terming the planned visit of India's technical team as a positive move, he told reporters that it was needed since Teesta was a big project.

Speaking to reporters at his office, Hasan said that bilateral talks in New Delhi did not discuss anything concerning China over the Teesta project.

Jianchao, minister of the international department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Hasan at the State Guesthouse Padma in the city today, according to officials.

Although nothing specific was announced after the summit about the signing of a water-sharing deal on the common river Teesta, a pressing issue for Bangladesh kept pending for a long by successive Indian governments, Modi on Saturday announced that a technical team would soon visit Bangladesh to discuss 'conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh.'

'We have decided to start technical level discussions for renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. A technical team will soon visit Bangladesh to discuss conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh,' said Modi in a press statement after the bilateral meeting with Hasina at Hyderabad House.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

India should have no role to play in Teesta development plan

INDIA’S announcement to send a technical team to Bangladesh to discuss the conservation and management of the River Teesta appears farcical. India, which has since 2010 put on hold the signing of an agreement on the sharing of the water of the cross-border Teesta...

www.newagebd.net

India should have no role to play in Teesta development plan
24 June, 2024, 00:00

INDIA'S announcement to send a technical team to Bangladesh to discuss the conservation and management of the River Teesta appears farcical. India, which has since 2010 put on hold the signing of an agreement on the sharing of the water of the cross-border Teesta, has expressed its willingness to support a large-scale development plan on the management of the river in Bangladesh's north. This is not the first time India has so done. New Delhi in the first week of May also offered to finance the project for a comprehensive management and the restoration of the river after China had showed interest in it and carried out a survey. What is farcical about this is that the absence of an agreement on the Teesta water sharing with India leaves five districts in Bangladesh — Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Rangpur through which the river flows — dry in the lean season, adding to the risk of desertification, because of the unilateral withdrawal of water upstream. The situation also leaves the region frequently inundated in the monsoon season as India opens all floodgates, often without any intimation. India, which is at the heart of the problem, should, therefore, have no role to play in it.

The agreement on the sharing of Teesta water with India was put into the final form in 2010, with both the sides agreeing a 50:50 sharing formula provisioning for 20 per cent of the water as the environmental flow. But India backtracked on the signing of the agreement hours before India's prime minister of the time arrived in Dhaka on September 6, 2011. And, having left the signing of the agreement in the lurch for so many years that has added to the risk of desertification in Bangladesh's north, New Delhi in early May conveyed its willingness to finance the development plan involving the Teesta when India's external affairs minister called on Bangladesh's foreign minister in Dhaka. And now, India, described as a 'trusted friend' and 'regional partner', has offered to send a technical team to discuss the project to resolve the problem that India has caused for Bangladesh by withholding the signing of the agreement and by withdrawing water upstream unilaterally. Now when Bangladesh's prime minister visited India in June 21–22, New Delhi signed 10 memorandums of understanding, seven new and three renewed, most of which appear to benefit India more but set aside the signing of the Teesta water sharing agreement. Dhaka should not entertain any proposal of New Delhi involving the Teesta development plan meant to improve the socio-economic condition in Bangladesh's north by, among others, setting up economic growth points, preventing flooding, dredging the river bed and constructing dams and reservoirs in the catchment area. India had rather sign the Teesta water sharing agreement.

India having been at the heart of the problem of the life and livelihood that have for long been at stake around the River Teesta and the region, this is no wise that India should have any involvement in the project meant to stem the decline caused by India's unilateral withdrawal and sudden release of the water upstream.​

 

[Saif]

‘Not feasible to share Teesta water’

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday said no discussion on sharing the Teesta and Ganges waters should be held with Bangladesh without the involvement of the West Bengal government.

www.thedailystar.net

'Not feasible to share Teesta water'

Mamata writes to Modi, also asks not to hold talks on Teesta, Farakka without involving West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday said no discussion on sharing the Teesta and Ganges waters should be held with Bangladesh without the involvement of the West Bengal government.

Sharing Teesta water with Bangladesh is not feasible, she wrote in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The interest of people in West Bengal is paramount which should not be compromised at any cost," she wrote.

If Teesta water is shared with Bangladesh, "lakhs of people in North Bengal will get severely impacted due to inadequate availability of irrigation water".

Teesta water is also needed for meeting drinking water requirements of the residents of North Bengal, she said.

She wrote the letter a couple of days after prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi where the Indian PM announced a technical team would be sent to Bangladesh soon for conservation and management of water in the Teesta and discussions would soon start on the renewal of the 1996 Ganges water-sharing treaty which expires in 2026.

Mamata also stated that West Bengal shares "a very close relationship with Bangladesh geographically, culturally and economically. I love and respect people of Bangladesh and always wish for their well-being".

"However, water is very precious and is the lifeline of the people. We cannot compromise on such a sensitive issue which has severe and adverse implication on the people. People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements."

In the letter signed yesterday, the West Bengal chief minister also said, "I came to understand that Government of India is in the process of renewing the Indo Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is to expire in 2026."

"I would like to bring to your notice that river morphology has changed in the eastern part of India and Bangladesh over many years which has deprived West Bengal and negatively impacted the water availability in the state," she said.

The letter ended with her strong reservation saying that no discussion on sharing of "Teesta water and the Farakka Treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of [West Bengal] state government".

She hoped that the Indian prime minister would take action accordingly.

Teesta water is crucial for irrigation in the northern part of Bangladesh, especially between December and April.

The river resembles a narrow canal in Bangladesh in lean season.

India in 1983 built the Gajoldoba barrage on the Teesta 70km upstream of Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat and started diverting Teesta water.

In 2011, Bangladesh and India finalised the Teesta water-sharing agreement but it was not signed as Mamata opposed it.

During the Indian PM's Dhaka visit in 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi directed their respective water resources ministries to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing waters of six common rivers.

Three years have gone by, but the framework has not seen the light of day.​

 

[Saif]

The Teesta conservation and restoration project is the brainchild of China. So, I think it is better to award the contract to China because they have spent a good amount of money to do the physical survey on Teesta river. They have firsthand experience in implementing such project in their own country. India, however, does not have the technology to implement such project.

‘Will implement Teesta project with help from India’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government will implement the Teesta project with assistance from India and it has got assurances from the neighbouring country in this regard.

www.thedailystar.net

'Will implement Teesta project with help from India'
Says PM, sees nothing wrong in maintaining ties with both India, China

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government will implement the Teesta project with assistance from India and it has got assurances from the neighbouring country in this regard.

As Bangladesh has a longstanding issue with India over the sharing of Teesta waters, it would be easy for Dhaka if the Teesta project is implemented by Delhi, she said.

"As India has come forward, we think if we implement the Teesta project with India, we will not have to face problems regarding water every day. We will have that benefit," she said.

The premier was addressing a press conference at the Gono Bhaban yesterday to brief the media about the outcome of her June 21-22 state visit to India, report BSS and UNB.

Responding to a query from a journalist, the premier, however, said her government will accept either a Chinese or an Indian proposal for the Teesta Master Plan Project considering which one would be the most beneficial for the country.

"We have taken up the Teesta project. China and India have put forward separate proposals to implement the project.

"But we must consider which proposal will be beneficial for the people, how much loan we will take and how much we will have to repay after the completion of the project, and also the capability of repaying the loan," Hasina continued.

China has completed a physical survey on the Teesta project while India wants to carry out another one, she said.

The PM said India has expressed its willingness to send a technical team to Bangladesh in this regard and Bangladesh will sit with the team.

"We will accept that survey which would be more suitable and beneficial for us."

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

What about decommissioning Farakka Barrage?

The Farakka Barrage on the mighty river Ganges was commissioned on April 21, 1975 on a trial basis. And with its commissioning, a large section of people of Bangladesh became mistrustful of India, which had strongly supported the independence war of Bangladesh and made huge sacrifices. The main re

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

What about decommissioning Farakka Barrage?
MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN
Published :
Jun 26, 2024 21:49
Updated :
Jun 26, 2024 21:49

The Farakka Barrage on the mighty river Ganges was commissioned on April 21, 1975 on a trial basis. And with its commissioning, a large section of people of Bangladesh became mistrustful of India, which had strongly supported the independence war of Bangladesh and made huge sacrifices.

The main reason for mistrust is the adverse effect of Farakka Barrage on the economy of Bangladesh that is largely dependent on agriculture for its sustenance. But the irony is that after 20 years of its commissioning, people for whom the barrage was constructed, are now raising voice against it. Located in West Bengal, India, the Farakka Barrage is roughly 16.5km away from the Bangladesh border.

The purpose of the barrage was to ensure navigability of the Kolkata Port by flushing out silt by discharging water at the rate of 1800 cubic meter per second from the Hooghly River. After commissioning the project, Indian experts said that it was observed that the diverted water flow from the Farakka Barrage was not enough for the purpose.Eventually, it was found that the water diverted from the barrage is less than 10 per cent of the water of the Ganges river available at Farakka.

Against this backdrop, the chief minister of the West Bengal, Mamara Banarjee has publicly questioned the necessity of the Farakka Barrage. A couple of days ago, she wrote a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wherein she had drawn a vivid picture of the negative impact of the Farakka Barrage on the people and their livelihoods in West Bengal.

"In fact, the genesis of construction of Farakka Barrage project is the disconnection of Bhagirathi from the Ganges. As part of this project, a feeder canal has been constructed to provide at least 40000 cusec for proper functioning of the Kolkata port. It is very pertinent to mention that the flow of silt into Hooghly has also reduced over the years after the barrage was constructed" the West Bengal chief minister wrote in her letter.

"This has accentuated erosion by the rivers and the areas both in the upstream and downstream of the barrage have faced serious loss of life and property including public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals; health centres, power lines in the past. Lakhs of people have been displaced from their habitation rendering them homeless and also leading to their loss of livelihood. The reduced silt load in Hooghly has impeded the nourishment of Sundarban delta" she explained.

People of Bangladesh believe that Farakka Barrage, built across the Ganges is the key reason for drying up of many rivers in their country, including the Padma near Rajshahi. Experts said the barrage is not a problem for Bangladesh alone, it also poses a problem for the people who live in its vicinity in India. In fact, Farrakka project is a vivid example of how development projects have been undertaken without thinking about the lives of people living near the river. The rivers of Bangladesh are dying. The sweet water content inside the rivers has diminished, and there has been a steady rise in salinity.

Built to revive the Kolkata port, it is now blamed for reducing water flow, increasing salinity and drying up the waters around the Sundarbans.

Mamata Banerjee raised the issue in reference to the recent Hasina-Modi meeting, which decided to renew the Ganges Water Sharing treaty, which is to expire in 2026. She made it clear that without her consent the proposed renewal would not be acceptable. And it is more or less clear that she may not accept a deal without a solution of the crisis triggered by the Farakka Barrage.

Under the prevailing circumstances, questions are being raised by many whether decommissioning of the Farakka Barrage could be a solution to the problem. One will have to wait and see what transpires finally.​

 

[Bilal9]

‘Not feasible to share Teesta water’

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday said no discussion on sharing the Teesta and Ganges waters should be held with Bangladesh without the involvement of the West Bengal government.

www.thedailystar.net

'Not feasible to share Teesta water'
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Mamata writes to Modi, also asks not to hold talks on Teesta, Farakka without involving West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday said no discussion on sharing the Teesta and Ganges waters should be held with Bangladesh without the involvement of the West Bengal government.

Sharing Teesta water with Bangladesh is not feasible, she wrote in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The interest of people in West Bengal is paramount which should not be compromised at any cost," she wrote.

If Teesta water is shared with Bangladesh, "lakhs of people in North Bengal will get severely impacted due to inadequate availability of irrigation water".

Teesta water is also needed for meeting drinking water requirements of the residents of North Bengal, she said.

She wrote the letter a couple of days after prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi where the Indian PM announced a technical team would be sent to Bangladesh soon for conservation and management of water in the Teesta and discussions would soon start on the renewal of the 1996 Ganges water-sharing treaty which expires in 2026.

Mamata also stated that West Bengal shares "a very close relationship with Bangladesh geographically, culturally and economically. I love and respect people of Bangladesh and always wish for their well-being".

"However, water is very precious and is the lifeline of the people. We cannot compromise on such a sensitive issue which has severe and adverse implication on the people. People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements."

In the letter signed yesterday, the West Bengal chief minister also said, "I came to understand that Government of India is in the process of renewing the Indo Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is to expire in 2026."

"I would like to bring to your notice that river morphology has changed in the eastern part of India and Bangladesh over many years which has deprived West Bengal and negatively impacted the water availability in the state," she said.

The letter ended with her strong reservation saying that no discussion on sharing of "Teesta water and the Farakka Treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of [West Bengal] state government".

She hoped that the Indian prime minister would take action accordingly.

Teesta water is crucial for irrigation in the northern part of Bangladesh, especially between December and April.

The river resembles a narrow canal in Bangladesh in lean season.

India in 1983 built the Gajoldoba barrage on the Teesta 70km upstream of Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat and started diverting Teesta water.

In 2011, Bangladesh and India finalised the Teesta water-sharing agreement but it was not signed as Mamata opposed it.

During the Indian PM's Dhaka visit in 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi directed their respective water resources ministries to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing waters of six common rivers.

Three years have gone by, but the framework has not seen the light of day.​

I don't know why we are even wasting time dealing with two bit elements and their barking, as if they matter. Signing an agreement for Teesta with the Chinese was needed yesterday. Forge ahead and let's get it done already....