Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
Residents of northern Bangladesh are urgently calling for effective management of the Teesta River water, as the lack of it is severely impacting both livelihoods and biodiversity in the region.
While the immediate past government initiated the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, the involvement of India in the eleventh hour hindered progress, even though China had already completed a feasibility study for the project.
The Ministry of Water Resources confirmed to The New Nation that no significant progress has been made on the Teesta project. Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid, an additional secretary at the ministry, stated, “There has been no development regarding the project at present. It remains a public demand and may materialise in the future.”
The northern region continues to face acute water shortages, largely due to the inability to secure a fair share of the Teesta River’s water from neighbouring India. This has left the area vulnerable, threatening agricultural productivity and local ecosystems.
Safiar Rahman, Member Secretary of the Nadi Bachao Sangram Parishad in Rangpur, shared that the people of the region have been vocal about the necessity of the Teesta project.
In October 2024, residents from 12 Upazilas, including Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram, formed human chains to demand its implementation.
“India’s long-standing reluctance to release a fair share of Teesta water during the dry season has caused widespread water shortages, leaving people struggling to survive,” he told The New Nation. “We cannot wait indefinitely for an agreement with India.
To save our lives and biodiversity, we must rely on our own resources. The water flowing from India must be utilised efficiently. This is why we are demanding the construction of a water reservoir,” he added.
Safiar Rahman also pointed out that China had conducted a feasibility study for the project years ago, and the current government should proceed considering the needs of the vast population in the northern region.
He mentioned that the local BNP of northern districts has planned a programme on 17-18 February to camp on the riverbanks to demand the project’s implementation.
A farmer from Lalmonirhat, Abdul Kader, lamented, “Our crops are drying out, and our livelihoods are at risk. Without sufficient water, we cannot produce enough food, and the people in this region are suffering.”
Sources revealed that China had expressed strong support for the project, offering $1 billion for its implementation. However, political dynamics shifted when India also expressed interest in the project.
The previous Awami League government, which leaned towards India politically, prioritised India’s involvement in the project, considering its control over the river’s water.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at a press conference in July 2024, stated, “The Teesta project is a longstanding issue. We must implement it. China has submitted an offer and conducted a feasibility study.
India has also expressed interest and will conduct its feasibility study. We will choose the proposal that is most rational for us, but I will prioritise India as they control the Teesta’s water.”
In response, the Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, stated that the decision to award the project rested solely with Bangladesh. He also expressed Beijing’s willingness to collaborate with India for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people.
The project was further delayed when the Awami League government was ousted following a mass uprising in August 2024, and an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus assumed power. The new government has yet to make any public announcements regarding the project.
Experts have stressed the need for Bangladesh to prioritise its national interests. Shahab Enam Khan, a professor at Jahangirnagar University, noted, “Bangladesh should always prioritise its national interests without being overly concerned about the reactions of other countries. If the Teesta project is deemed economically beneficial, the government should proceed.”
He further added, “While political governments often have specific interests when engaging with other nations, the current administration should focus on the project’s economic and national significance. As China has already conducted a feasibility study, involving new stakeholders may only delay progress.”
While the Teesta project remains in limbo, discussions may gain momentum during the upcoming visit of Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain to China from 20-24 January. However, Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid noted, “The Teesta project is not part of the agenda, although discussions on a Teesta power project may occur.”
Meanwhile, Safiar Rahman emphasised, “The Teesta project is not merely a political issue-it is a matter of survival for millions. The water crisis continues to threaten livelihoods. The government must act decisively.”
