Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
Tens of thousands of people from northern districts have united in a large-scale movement, demanding their fair share of water from the transboundary Teesta River – a vital lifeline for the region’s agriculture, livelihoods, and aquatic biodiversity.
The protest, organised under the banner of the Teesta River Protection Movement, saw demonstrators gather at 11 key points along the river. Participants from Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, and Nilphamari joined the 48-hour demonstration, chanting the slogan ‘Jago Bahe Teesta Bachai’.
The event also drew participation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations. BNP leaders voiced their concerns regarding the Teesta water-sharing issue during the rally. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged India to resolve the dispute and end border killings.
“If India wants a good relationship with Bangladesh, it must ensure our fair share of Teesta water, stop border shootings, and abandon its ‘big brother’ attitude,” he said at a gathering in Lalmonirhat.
He also criticised the Awami League-led government, accusing it of failing to secure Bangladesh’s water rights despite being in power since 2009.
“We had hoped the government would negotiate a fair water deal with India. Unfortunately, we have not received even a drop of water,” he remarked.
Fakhrul urged the current interim government to take a firm stance on the Teesta issue, emphasising the importance of water security for northern districts.
During the demonstration, protesters called for the immediate implementation of the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project.
They also urged the government to sign a water-sharing agreement with India, ensuring an equitable distribution of the river’s resources.
Despite years of demands, no tangible action has materialised on the Teesta issue. Protesters expressed their frustration, highlighting the devastating impact of river erosion and water shortages on local communities.
“Our biggest issue in the northern region is river erosion and the lack of water during the dry season,” said Safiar Rahman, Member Secretary of Nadi Bachao Sangram Parishad, Rangpur, speaking to The New Nation on Monday.
“Due to siltation, the Teesta cannot retain water, leading to both floods and shortages. We demand a comprehensive plan to address these issues permanently,” he added.
However, the Water Development Board stated that the current water flow of the Teesta remains within the normal range for this time of year.
“The Teesta’s current flow averages 28,000 cusecs,” said Amitabh Choudhuri, Executive Engineer of the Dalia Water Development Division, Nilphamari.
“There is no additional flow. Currently, a lean period is ongoing. Over the past week, the daily average flow has been approximately 28,000 cusecs, with fluctuations between 1,854 cusecs (on 12 February) and 27,000 cusecs (on 17 February),” he explained.
This average flow is expected to continue until March, ahead of the rainy season.
As the 48-hour movement concludes, residents of northern Bangladesh remain resolute in their demand for equitable water distribution, river dredging and siltation management and long-term water management solutions
The Teesta River, essential to millions of lives, continues to face challenges from siltation, water scarcity, and political inertia.
Bangladesh has repeatedly urged India to sign a water-sharing agreement, but India has unilaterally diverted water, disregarding international laws on transboundary rivers.
To address the crisis, Bangladesh, with support from China, proposed a Teesta mega project. However, progress stalled due to India’s sudden interest in the project during the previous Awami League government.
Although Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China and China conducted significant groundwork, the project has since lost momentum following the Awami League’s departure from power.
China, however, has expressed continued willingness to collaborate on the Teesta project, citing the greater interest of the northern region’s people.
