Brahmaputra River Commission: A new horizon for peace and friendship
Belal Ahmed :
Part -2
Bangladesh is also a victim of natural disasters besides the population pressure. As a nature disaster prone area and a low-lying delta, Bangladesh is under grave danger. Bangladesh is “among the 20 risk prone countries in the world” and in Asia it claims the 1st position. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) thinks that climate change will increase the risk for Bangladesh. It estimates that by 2050, 2crore 70 lakh people will be in a grave position. Increase in salinity in southwest region of Bangladesh due to unavailability of water from the Ganges River and rise in sea water level as well as decreased flow of Brahmaputra river will act as a deadly blow for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is in a risky position being the lowermost lying country in the river basin. Having the lowest ability to cope, over population density and dependency of outside water flows (92 per cent), erosion of Brahmaputra River, floods and the risk of water shortage in dry seasons make Bangladesh especially vulnerable. Added to these, the selfish river water management policies of China and India made the situation much dire for Bangladesh. It seems India or China is not concerned at all about the natural balance of the country lying in the lowermost in the river basin. Unilateral withdrawal of water from Ganges by India, non-signing of Teesta agreement, inter-riverine projects etc. is causing much anxiety about Brahmaputra on Bangladesh side. Moreover, construction of several dams over Brahmaputra by China, the Chinese plan to divert water from Brahmaputra and the Indian plan to build several dams in Arunachal Pradesh and most of all, the lack of transparency has increased the anxiety of Bangladesh several fold.
Presently, the inter-basin water transfer link project of India is causing much headache for Bangladesh. This will reduce the water flow of Bramhaputra in Bangladesh to zero. Additionally, the plan of China to divert water will make the matter gravely worse for Bangladesh.
The Indian plan to divert water of Manas and Sankosh rivers means that the water from Brahmaputra will be diverted to Ganges basin. If this Indian plan of inter-basin water transfer link is executed, it will make the bio-diversity, agriculture, water drainage, aquaculture and already damaged natural environment of Bangladesh into a deadly situation.
The cause of anxiety for Bangladesh is the past Farakka Barrage contract. Bangladesh is not getting the water as per the indicative schedule of Farakka contract of 30 years duration signed in 12th December 1996. Non-signing of Teesta contract is causing a suspicion and lack of trust. Only India can dispel this suspicion. Also, it has been proven during political turmoil that India did not take decision that would hamper their stake regarding water distribution. In September 2015, India is executing with their plan to connect Krishna and Godavari rivers as part of Maddhya and Uttar Pradeses inter-river link projects. Very recently, India has constructed a 3000 MW hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh which is the largest in India and highest in the world. It is feared that the dam being constructed on Dibang River, a tributary of Brahmaputra will damage natural environment very much. Ultimately, India will execute all its plans. That will be a dark period for Bangladesh. Diverting Teesta water during dry season is the major problem for Bangladesh. Teesta river flows over Sikkim of India and then over West Bengal before entering Rangpur division as Brahmaputra. It is the main and most important river for rice cultivation in Bangladesh. Upstream of Teesta in Gajaldoba of West Bengal, India is diverting all water from it during dry season for their agricultural use by building dam and water reservoir. For this reason, northeast region of Bangladesh is not getting required water for agriculture, aquaculture and river transport. Due to unwillingness of the chief minister of West Bengal, it is said that the Prime Minister of India was unable to sign the Teesta contract. In fact, due to diversion of water during dry season, Teesta has no water flow upstream of Bangladesh.
Now-a-days, Teesta River is devoid of water during dry season, whereas it is supposed to be 5500 cusec water flow. Because of this, the region is under quick desertification. Bangladesh is going into a dangerous situation. The river banks of Teesta are now a vast land of sands. Farmers of Lalmonirhat are now unable to cultivate lands due to lack of water. On the other hand, Bangladesh is deprived of its due share of water from Ganges. Brahmaputra is now a danger sign for Bangladesh. Under the evolution of time, the Ganges contract has become dangerous for Bangladesh. India is diverting water unilaterally breaching the 8th clause of the contract. The 9th clause of the contract stating “Equality, honesty, and no party shall harm the other part” has become a paper contract. No provision for guarantee or arbitration is a major weakness of the contract. Increase of salinity in the southwest region of Bangladesh has caused quick changes in general of bio-diversity, environment, agriculture, aquaculture and lifestyle of the people. The mystic and beautiful forest of Sundarbans is also under destruction. The danger for Bangladesh will become a critical state before the end of contract by 2026.
[The writer is Vice-President, Nodi Bachao Andolon (Save River Movement)].
(To be continued).
