News desk: The government has demanded that the Teesta agreement be signed immediately. Vast areas of the country are turning into deserts, with more severe environmental threats looming, as India continues to draw water upstream.
“We want the Teesta agreement signed at once. Water flow has significantly declined due to withdrawal of water upstream by the neighbouring country.
Once, we used to get 55,000 cusecs of water. Now we get only 20,000 cusecs,” water resources minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said at a function to mark World Water Day at the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Nazrul Islam, state minister for water resources, Abul Kalam Azad, chief coordinator of the Prime Minister’s Office on SDG affairs, and Jafar Ahmad Khan, senior secretary of the water resouces ministry, also spoke on the occasion.
When asked whether the Teesta agreement would be signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to India on April 7, Anisul Islam Mahmud said: “I cannot give you the day and time for the signing of the agreement. Such decisions can be taken on the spot. We expect the Teesta agreement to be signed soon.”
Bangladesh has got only 308 cusecs of water in two years, which is not a good sign for the environment or agriculture, the minister said.
For two years, Bangladesh has been getting just about enough water to save the environment. So, the Teesta agreement should be signed as soon as possible, he added.
Two Indian prime ministers—former PM Manmohan Singh and present PM Narendra Modi—committed to signing the Teesta agreement, Anisul Islam Mahmud said.
“Uneven issues of the draft agreement have already been ironed out. Now, only the signing is left. So, the question raised by the Indian media about a new draft is unnecessary,” he added.
Bangladesh and India had reached an understanding during Manmohan Singh’s visit, but the agreement was not signed due to India’s internal problems, the minister said.
The foreign ministry is communicating with its Indian counterpart regarding all the issues, he said in reply to a query.
According to Anisul Islam Mahmud, supply of pure water is declining due to declining surface water. “We have to use surface water instead of groundwater now. So, we have to manage waste properly to keep all the sources of surface water, such as rivers and other waterbodies, pollution-free,” he noted.
About 1.2 billion cubic metres of silt has been deposited in Bangladesh by various rivers, the minister said, adding that these rivers and canals should be dredged to preserve water for the dry season.
“If the Ganga Barrage is built, the problem of the south-western region will be resolved. At least USD 4 billion would be needed to construct the barrage. So, Bangladesh needs India’s participation in this project,” the minister said.
He also said both the countries have formed a technical committee in this regard. They have also reached a consensus on various issues. “But they are re-examining the project to check whether there would be any negative consequences after its construction,” he added.
The salinity of the Sundarbans will be reduced after the barrage is built, he claimed.
“Not only Bangladesh, India will also benefit from the barrage. About 82 km of the barrage lies on the Indian side,” Nazrul Islam said.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board arranged a colourful rally to mark the day.
