Farakka body urges to prioritise water issues in polls manifestos

Staff Reporter :

The International Farakka Committee (IFC) Bangladesh on Monday called on all political parties to incorporate the country’s critical water-related challenges into their election manifestos.

The call was made at a press briefing held at a city restaurant this noon, where IFC New York Chairman Sayed Tipu Sultan and IFC Bangladesh President Mostafa Kamal Majumder addressed the media.

The speakers presented a series of key demands, stressing foremost the inclusion of river and water rights in the manifestos of all political parties.

“Parties must clearly state their stance on ensuring the natural flow of shared rivers and commit to safeguarding the water rights of the people of Bangladesh,” said Sayed Tipu Sultan.

He urged political leaders to treat water issues with utmost urgency, adding: “A strong national position must be taken against upstream dam construction and water diversion by India, as interventions on 54 of the 57 common rivers have worsened environmental degradation in Bangladesh.”

With the 30-year Ganga Water Treaty set to expire in 2026, the committee called for necessary reforms to ensure Bangladesh’s rightful share of water.

It further demanded that the renewed agreement include an arbitration mechanism for resolving bilateral disputes.

The IFC leaders also pressed for the immediate signing of the long-delayed Teesta Water Treaty, pending since 2011, and highlighted the need to stop the complete withdrawal of dry-season flows at the Gajoldoba Barrage in West Bengal, which severely affects Bangladesh’s northwestern region.

They also underscored the importance of a comprehensive, coordinated and equitable treaty covering all 54 shared rivers.

Sayed Tipu Sultan emphasised the importance of protecting the environment and biodiversity-especially in the southwest, where dozens of rivers have already died due to diminished water flows.

Mostafa Kamal Majumder called for a national consensus among all political parties, civil society groups, and citizens to protect Bangladesh’s rights over transboundary waters and to raise public awareness on the issue.