BD seeks new Ganges deal with India

Bangladesh wants a new water-sharing agreement with India over the Ganges instead of renewing the existing deal, Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has said.

He said the proposed agreement should include a guarantee clause and ensure protection of Bangladesh’s interests.

The minister made the remarks on Thursday (24 September) at an event on rivers held in the capital.
He said rivers are one of the key drivers of Bangladesh’s economy, but industrialisation and the adverse impacts of climate change are putting increasing pressure on the country’s rivers.

He stressed the need to identify the main causes of river pollution and take effective measures to control it.

The minister also identified pollution in the Buriganga River in Dhaka as a major ongoing challenge.
The event was informed that Dhaka generates around 3,900 million litres of wastewater every day, of which approximately 1,500 million litres end up in rivers.

As a result, the country faces economic losses amounting to billions of dollars every year, speakers said.
The event also stressed the need for coordinated efforts to control pollution, conserve and better manage the rivers in and around the capital.