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Editorial
A
Publication on
International Conference on "Upstream
water diversion: a disaster for Bangladesh"
organized on
4-5 January 2006 |
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---By Prof. Dr. J. U. Ahmad
International Farakka Committee (IFC) alongwith IFC
Bangladesh Co-ordination Committee and the North American
Long March Committee jointly organized a Long March
(3-4 March, 2005) and a Grand Rally on 4 March, 2005
at Chilmari Bandar (River-port), Kurigram District,
on the bank of the river Brahmaputra. About 500 thousand
of people voiced with the slogans ‘Save our Rivers,
Save Bangladesh’ from different walks of life,
irrespective of political believe from all over the
country joint the Grand Rally. A good number of expatriate
water-righteous activists from all over the world, particularly
from North America also attended the Programme.
A 15-points Chilmari Declaration was adopted at the
Grand Rally. The movement of the International Farakka
Committee against the unilateral upstream water withdrawal
by India has been able to create awareness in Bangladesh
and other parts of the world.
As an on-going activity, International Farakka Committee
is organizing a two-day international conference on
‘Upstream water Diversion: A disaster for Bangladesh’
at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh on 4-5 January,
2006. Eminent scientists, policy planners, intellectuals
and journalists will be participating in the conference
for deliberations and interactions of ideas. Leading
political leaders from different political parties have
expressed their willingness to join the conference and
will express their views on this agenda of utmost national
importance.
The eco-disaster and untold miseries already inflicted
on Bangladesh by upstream water diversion through Farakka
Barrage will be multiplied by thousand times, if the
on-going Inter Basin River Link project of India is
not abandoned. This project is equivalent to many ‘Weapons
of Mass Destruction’. Sense of justice and eco-consciousness
is invoking in the region, which might force the Indian
Govt. for shelving or modifying the project. We believe
that a Regional River Commission comprising of all countries
of the river basin under the supervision of the United
Nations will be able to usher a new era of cooperation
and prosperity in the region.
I do hope that documentation on ‘Upstream Water
Diversion: A Disaster for Bangladesh’ would provide
valuable information and would be able to motivate all
for participating in the movement against Upstream Water
Diversion on which depends the existence of Bangladesh.
I would like to thank the authors and contributors for
their valuable contributions. We sincerely believe that
we will be able to overcome this impending danger by
forming a great national unity.
Upstream Water Diversion:
A Disaster for Bangladesh
Professor Dr. J. U. Ahmad, FRSC
President, International Farakka Committee
Bangladesh and
Former Vice Chancellor, Jahangirnagar University,
Savar, Dhaka. |
Bangladesh is a land of rivers. The Padma (Ganges), Meghna,
Jamuna (Brahmaputra), Karnaphuli, Surma, Teesta, Barak
and innumerable large. medium and small rivers, tributaries
and distributaries have criss-crossed the country. Out
of 57 international rivers flowing through Bangladesh,
54 of them are originated in Himalayan region and other
parts of India. The rainwater in Bangladesh accounts for
only 7% of the total fresh water flow. Remaining 93% is
coming from trans-boundary river sources fed with rain
ice- melting.
The riverine system of Bangladesh
is shown in the map.
At the global scale, freshwater of lakes and rivers, which
are the main sources for water consumed by the human societies,
contain on an average about 90,000 Billion Cubic Meters
(BCM) of water, which is about 0.26 percent of total global
freshwater reserves.
A prelude of Farakka Barrage
In the early part of 1950 India took a plan to construct
a barrage at Farakka point on the river Ganges. The main
purpose was to withdraw and divert water to Hughly river
for keeping functional the Kolkata port and also to make
available irrigation water to different parts of the country.
The then Pakistan Govt. came to know about the project
from different newspaper reports and made a formal protest
on October 1951. In reply Indian Govt. informed Pakistan
that the project is in conceptual stage and before it
is going to be implemented the advise of Pakistan Government
would be taken. While the discussions were going on between
the two countries, the Indian Govt. started the construction
of the barrage during 1961-62. After that, till 1970,
several secretarial level meetings between two sides could
not yield any positive result.
Few months after the liberation of Bangladesh on 17, March
1972 Bangladesh and India, the two countries signed a
25-year friendship Treaty (The Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation
and Peace), Article 6 of the Treaty reads; ‘The
high contracting parties (further) agree to make joint
studies and take joint actions in the fields of flood
control, river basin development and the development of
hydro-electric power and irrigation.’
But totally ignoring this article, an Adhoc agreement
for withdrawing water through Farakka barrage was signed
on 18 April, 1975. In this agreement Bangladesh gave consent
for withdrawal of 11-16 thousand cusec water from April
21 to May 31, for a limited period of 41 days. In return
India promised that rest of the water will flow through
Bangladesh. But after the expiry of that 41 days periods,
India, kept on withdrawing water in the lean period of
1975 and 1976. In April 1976, the flow of water at Hardinge
point came as low as 23200 cusec against 65 thousand cusec
of the corresponding time of previous year.
India signed, a 5 year, water-sharing Treaty with Bangladesh
on 5 Nov. 1977. The treaty had a Guaranty Clause for getting
80% of the flow during lean period and an Arbitration
clause. After the expiry of the Treaty in 1982. India
refused to renew/extend the time period.
Then on October 1982, a two-year mutual agreement, followed
by another three years agreement (on Nov. 22, 1985) was
signed between the two sides. But in their two agreements,
the Guarantee and Arbitration clause of 1977 Treaty were
withdrawn.
Then on 12 December 1996, a 30-year Water Treaty was signed
between India and Bangladesh. This Treaty was also devoid
of the Guarantee and Arbitration clauses. After the Treaty,
during the lean period, for the last few years, the flow
of water at Hardinge bridge point comes down to 10 thousand
cusec, even sometimes as low as 5 thousand cusec.
Prof. M. Muniruzzaman Miah, a leading Expert on Water
Resources of Bangladesh and a Former Vice-Chancellor of
Dhaka University in the conclusion of an article titled
“Water Treaty Without Water” wrote, “In
fine, the least one can say about the 30-year water sharing
treaty is that it is unworkable and is totally against
the legitimate interests of Bangladesh. We apprehend that
our share of water will gradually become less and less
to the point of becoming non-existent in a few years time.
The Treaty is a cleverly devised mechanism to bleed us
white if we are allowed, to say so.” Now, the observation
of water flow at Hardinge Bridge point shows that, his
fear about almost non-existent share of water is a reality.
Adverse Impacts of Farakka Barrage
The main environmental problems already created due to
withdrawal and diversion of water through Farakka Barage
may be summarized as follows:
-
Due
to continuous withdrawal of water through Farakka Barrage
for the last 31 years a significant number of rivers
in the Padma basin of Bangladesh has already turned
into dead rivers. The Garai, a pre-Farakka mighty river
now is almost dead. In pre-Farakka days, during rainy
season, the maximum flow of water through the Garai
used to be in the range of 142-328 thousand cusec, but
which is just a memory of the past.
According to a report of Water Development Board, 17
rivers in Bangladesh are already dead. They are (i)
Narsunda (Kishoreganj) (ii) Bhubenswar (Rajbari and
Faridpur) (iii) Bibiyana and (iv)Shaka Barak (Habigonj)
(v) Palang (Sariatpur) (vi)Burinadi (Comilla, Brahmanbaria)
(vii) Harihar and (viii) Mukteswari (Jessore) (ix) Hamkura
(Khulna) (x) Murichap (Satkhira) (xi) Bamni (Lakshmipur
and Noakhali) (xii) Manos (Bogra), (xiii) Baral and
(xiv) Chiknai (Natore and Pabna) (xv) Hisha (Kustia)
(xvi) Musakhan(Rajbari and Naotre) and (xvii) Bharirab
(Kustia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenidah, Jessore, Khulna
and Bagerhat)
Many rivers are nearly dead now. The rivers which can
be classified as near-dead are (i) Karatoa (Panchagar,
Nilphamari, Rangpur, Bogra and Sirajganj) (ii) Ichamati
(Pabna, Manikganj, Dhaka and Munshiganj) (iii) Kaliganga
(Kustia, Jhenidah, Magura, Narail, Pirojpur) (iv) Kumar
(Kustia, Magura, Faridpur, Jhenidah, Madaripur) (v)
Chitra (Narail, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah) (vi) Bhadra (Jessore
and Khulna) (vii) Someshwari (Netrokona) and (viii)
Nabaganga (Narail).
-
During the dry season when water
is much needed in all areas of Bangladesh, in particular
for the irrigation of 200 thousand hectres of land under
the Ganges-Kobotak project, water becomes almost unavailable.
The water sharing of the Teesta river, ended without
any agreement although many meetings were held. The
Teesta river near Teesta bridge looks like a part of
a desert during dry season. A vast area of land once
a grainery of Bangladesh has become desert, and a food-deficient
area now.
The Ganges-Kobatak (G.K.) is the largest irrigation
project of Bangladesh. It supplies water from the Padma,
(Ganga) to 3 takh acres of land. The project consists
of 120 miles long main canal, 292 miles long branch
canals and 62 miles long sub-branch canals. But scarcity
of the Padma water has made the project ineffective.
Agriculture in a vasit area of Kushtia, Jessore and
Faridpur regions comes to a standstill in dry season
completely. Most of the 113 tributaries of the Pamda
become dry or have scarce water from November - May.
-
When excessive rain in the upper
Ganges basin and ice-melt water creates pressure on
the barrage due to abnormal rise of water, India opens
all the sluice gates. Then the sudden on rush of water
causes flood in Bangladesh or increases the intensity
of floods.
-
During the dry season (water-scarce
period) the irrigation system based on shallow- tube
wells suffers very adversely due to the considerable
downward shift of the ground water tables (3-15 meter).
On the average, every year the ground water tables are
lowered by about 5 m which might be recharged from rain
water and normal flooding. It has been estimated that
80% ground water recharging comes from normal flooding.
Water diversion through Farakka is hindering the recharging
process. If the ground water tables continue to go down,
after a few years no water will be available through
shallow-tube wells. The production of IRRI, Boro Paddy
(Dry Season irrigated crops) will be seriously hampered.
-
As a result of the diminished flow,
the intrusion of sea water in the southern part of the
country. particularly through the Rupsa river, on the
bank of which is located one of the major industrial
cities, Khulna, has become so pronounced that the salinity
has gone up more than sixty times than the pre-Farakka
times. The increase of salinity in such magnitude has
significantly altered the ecology of the region.
-
As an adverse effect of the Farakka
barrage many places of the Murshidabad District of the
West Bengal has been suffering from serious water logging.
A Report of the West Bengal Government published in
2001 stated that, the changed nature of water flow and
the interference at the flow channel have increased
the flood disaster. According to Indian Water Expert
Mondal and Rudra, ‘Sometimes West Bengal are flooded
although there are no significant rainfall in the region,
this is undoubtedly due to Farakka Barrage.’
-
In post Farakka period the ground
water in many places of West Bengal is registering very
high arsenic content, since then the ground water of
the district of Rajshahi, which is adjacent to Farakka
is also showing high arsenic content.
-
The interrupted and diminished flow
of the Ganges has also caused disturbances in the normal
sediment transport. As a consequence, the Ganges flood-plain
in Bangladesh is being deprived of the natural supply
of the micro-nutrients. The amount of carbon transported
through this river (more than 10 million Tons per years)
will also be diminished, giving rise to less significant
contribution to deep sea carbon +burial, an important
natural process, that particularly helps to off-set
the greenhouse effect.
-
Desertification syndromes have already
started in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh as a
consequence of the withdrawal of water through the Farakka
barrage. By the adverse impacts so far created, on the
environment and ecology of Bangladesh by Farakka Barrage,
it is logical to term it ‘a undeclared environmental
war against Bangladesh.’ But it is pertinent to
note that very purpose for which this deathly dam was
constructed is defeated. The Farakka Barrage is popularly
known in Bangladesh as “Death Barrage.”
Inter-basin River Linking Project
The present proposal for interlinking of rivers in India
has (the proposed 30 link canels)
its conceptual root even before the construction of
Farakka barrage started in 1972. Dr. K. L. Rao, the
then Water Resources Minister for India proposed ‘the
Ganga-Cauvery Link Canal’ to address the issue
of water scarcity in south India. In 1977, Captain Dastur,
an Aircraft Pilot, proposed a plan for construction
of a pair of canals, better known as ‘Garland
Canal Scheme.’ The scheme. envisaged the construction
of a 4200 km long Himalayan canal and 9300 km long Southern
Garland canal and the connection between these two through
two pipelines passing by Delhi and Patna, According
to the views of the experts these two proposals were
not found to be suitable for development as a project.
In August 1980, the Indian Ministry of Water Resources
framed national perspective for water development and
the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) was established
in 1982. The NWDA took up the task for the development
of a proposal for inter-basin transfer of water that
would be more comprehensive than the earlier plan. The
interlinking prosposals aims at providing large-scale
human induced connectivity for water flown in almost
all parts of India. The Indian president Dr. Abul Kalam
Azad in his independence day speech of 2002 urged the
concerned authorities to complete the project within
15 years. However, the issue got momentum in political,
legislative and civil domains after the supreme court
of India, in connection with public interest litigation,
passed an order on 31 October 2002 for the completion
of the interlinking rivers within a period of 12 years.
This project has two components i.e (i) the Himalayan
components and (ii) the Peninsular component. In the
Himalayan component 14 link canals and in the Peninsular
component 16 link canals, all together 30 link canals
will be excavated within the frame work of the project.
India in its river interlinks project aims to connect
37 rivers by 30 link canals. The total length of these
link canals would be approximately 12 thousand Kilometers.
The breadth of the link canals have been proposed to
be 50-100 m and the depth to be approx. 6 meters.
The main purposes of the project are:
(i) To connect the major two rivers, the Ganges and
the Brahmaputra by link canal. For this purpose, water
will be transported through Teesta river to Farakka
point. Link between Farakka and Subnarekha of Orissa
and Mahandi will be established through link-canals.
This part of the project will be completed in West Bengal
and Assam.
(ii) In another sector of the project Mahandi, Godabari,
Krishna Cauberi and Vaippar rivers will be linked. This
part of the project will be executed in Orissa, Andhra
Prodesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnatak States.
(iii) In the third sector of the project, many tributaries
of the Ganges viz. Gandak, Ghagra, Sarda and Jamuna
will be linked. Water from Jamuna will be transferred
to very far Rajastan region through canals. By another
link canal, the water of Sabarmoti river will first
be joined with the above mentioned link and then diverted
to southern region of India.
In this project not only link canals will be excavated,
Dams, Barrages and reservoirs will be constructed in
different areas to store water and to divert water against
the natural flow. In addition to that a number of hydroclectric
power stations will be commissioned.
In Fig 3. the proposed 30 link canals of the inter basin
river linking project are shown.
The link canals are :
A. Himalayan component
1. Tributaries of Brahmaputra, Manosh-Sankosh-Teesta
and Ganges
2. Koshi – Ganga (Genges)
3. Gandak – Ganga
4. Ghagra – Jamuna
5. Sarda – Jamuna
6. Jamuna – Rajsthan
7. Rajsthan – Sabarmati
8. Chunar – Sone Barrage
9. Sone Barrage – Southern Tributaries of Gangas
10. Ganga – Domodar – Subarbnarekha
11. Subernarekha – Mahananda
12. Koshi – Mechi
13. Farakka – Sunderbans
14. Brahmaphtra – Gangas
B. Penisular Component
15. Mahandi (Mahi Bhadra) – Godavori (Dawleswaram)
16. Godavari (Inchampalli low dam) – Krishna (Nagarjunasagar
tail pond)
17. Godavori (Inchampalli) – Krishna (Nagarjunasagar)
18. Godavori (Polavaram) – Krishna (Vijayawada)
19. Krishna (Almati) – Pennar
20. Krishna (Srishilam) – Pennar
21. Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) – Pennar (Somashila)
22. Pennar (Somashila) – Cauveri (Grand Anicut)
23. Cauveri (Kuttlai) – Vaigai – Gundar
24. Ken – Betwa
25. Probati – Kalisindh – Chambal
26. Par – Tapi – Narmada
27. Damanganga – Pinjal
28. Bedti – Varda
29. Netravati – Hemavati
30. Pamba – Achankavil - Baippar
It is a matter of great surprise that India did not
inform at any stage, the Bangladesh Government about
their ambitious project. India is executing another
Dam construction at Tipaimukh in upstream of Barak river.
Tipaimukh is 500 meters down stream of the confluence
of Tuivai and Barak Rivers in the district of Churachandapur
in the state of Manipur, near the Assam-Monipur boarders.
The project has a plan to generate 1500 MW of power.
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Monmohan Sing has laid the
foundation of the dam and it is expected to be completed
by 2008. If this dam is completed and goes on operation,
there would be serious adverse impacts on water flow
in the Surma basin of Bangladesh.
India is executing the inter basin river link
project
The Indian Govt. has already completed the feasibility
studies of most of the components of the project. India
has already constructed Dam/Barrages at Tehri, Lakwar,
Kishan, Vakra and Kool, Iddaki, Thil, Chamira, Srishilam,
Sardar Sorobor and large reservoirs at Nagarjun Sagar,
Rihand, Vakhara, Sardar Sorobor, Srishilam, Poukh, Bekhi,
Hirakud, Gandi Sagar, Alamati and Upper Wen Ganga. The
experts believe that India is gradually constructing
these dams/ barrages and reservoirs as a part of its
execution of inter basin river link project.
A report published, in the Dams, Rivers and peoples
magazine published on January 2005 suggested that there
are definite proof that India is executing the river
basin link project. The report says that India has constituted
a committee under the leadership of the Secretary of
the Water Resources Ministry to discuss with different
States and groups about the project and its implementation.
The committee will identify the environmental and socio-economic
problems associated with the project and suggest the
Govt. about the remedial measures. The committee while
formulating detailed project proposal will also evaluate
about the proper utilization of the diverted water [The
daily Prothom Alo, 25 February 2005].
The daily Star in an article on August 28, 2005 titled,
‘India’s river linking gains momentum’
wrote, ‘The process of the ambitious inter-linking
of major river basins of India seems to have gained
pace with the first step taken by the signing of memorandum
of understanding (MOU) between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya
Prodesh to link Ken and Betwa rivers [ Component 24,
Peninsular component]. So there should not be any confusion
about the execution of inter basin river link project
by India.
From his Independence Day address in August 2002 to
the recent speech at the Indian Science Congress in
January 2004, the President reiterated his view that
interlinking of rivers holds the future for the country.
Indian Former Union Water Resources Minister Priyaranjan
Dasmunsi has mentioned that, the State Governments of
Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh concerned with the
Ken-Betwa link gave their consent to prepare the Detailed
project Report (DPR) of the Interlinking of Rivers Programme.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two
States will be signed in this regard, (UNB reports).
The Government of Madhya Pradesh also gave its consent
to prepare the Detailed project report of the Parbati-Kalisingh-Chambal
link. Discussions are under way with Rajasthan for obtaining
its consent for DPR. The Minister put emphasis on political
will, mutual cooperation and thorough understanding
of the issues to materialize the Inter-linking of Rivers
Programme. He told members of the Consultative Committee
attached to his Ministry that they had followed a policy
of “consensus” on such issues.
The water flow through rivers in Bangladesh
It has already been stated earlier that during monsoon
period only 7% of the river flow is generated by rain
water within the Bangladesh boundary. During this season
51% water comes through the Brahmaputra, 28% through
the Ganges and 24% through the Meghna, 93% of the water
comes from across the boarder. Among the Himalayan river,
the Brahmaputra carries the maximum amount of water,
even at dry season the flow is about 5 thousand cusec
meter/sec. Therefore the principal source of fresh water
flow in Bangladesh is the Brahmaputra.
But during dry season, the picture is different. As
upstream Ganges water is being diverted at Farakka,
the flow through the Ganges is almost negligible. During
dry season, rain water in Bangladesh accounts for only
1% of the water flow. The remaining 99% is trans - boundary
and most of it, about 90% comes through the Brahmaputra.
India in its inter basin river link project has a plan
to withdraw annually 173 billion cubic meter (BCM) water
from the Brahmaputra and divert this to the Ganges through
the link canals. But during dry season the Brahmaputra
carries only 156 BCM water. India’s plan is to
divert from the Brahmaputra more water than which is
being carried through this rivers during the entire
summer period.
If India executes its inter basin river link project,
then Bangladesh will face acute shortage of water. The
life in Bangladesh which is centered around rivers and
waters will be severely disturbed. Therefore, the inter
basin river link project is being termed as ‘a
Weapon of Mass Destruction’ for Bangladesh.
India’s inter-basin river link project
is a threat to the existence of Bangladesh
The upstream withdrawal of water through Farakka Barrage
has already started desertification syndrome in Bangladesh,
intrusion of salinity in the inland fresh water and
created many serious environmental problems including
the bio-diversity loss. In addition if India executes
the inter basin river link project, then Bangladesh
known all over the world as a land of rivers, fishes
and rice and a beautifull green land will loose all
its present identity. The main averse effects, which
can be visualized at present, are as follows:
1. Bangladesh, a lower riparian country will be deprived
of its legitimate share of water. As per the present
plan of India if one-third or more of the water is withdrawn
and diverted from the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Teesta, Darla,
Doodkumar, Karatoa and Mahananda, all most all the rivers
of Bangladesh will gradually turn into dead rivers.
If all most all the water is withdrawn, then in near
future Bangladesh will turn into a large desert.
2. As the fresh water flow in rivers will decrease,
the intrusion of saline water in ground and surface
water would increase. Only due to withdrawal of water
by Farakka for more than three decades salinity in inland
water has increased many folds. A recent research by
our group has revealed that the salinity of water of
Bhairab river at Khalishpur, Khulna during monsoon in
high tide is 4.6 ppm and in low tide is 3.3 ppm and
during winter the salinity is 7.5 and 6.9 ppm respectively.
The salinity increases almost twice in winter than monsoon.
In Basundia of Jessore, the salinity of water of the
same river during winter time is 6.1 and 5.9 ppm in
high and low tide respectively. If the inter basin river
link project is implemented, the flow of water in rivers
will decrease, therefore the intrusion of salinity would
increase gradually. As a result the whole of Bangladesh
would gradually be turned into a desert. Due to increase
in salinity the yield of paddy would be severly hampered
and many varieties of fresh water fishes would extinct.
Already the largest mangrove forest of the world, the
Sunderban is being depleted. According to the views
of the experts the increase of salinity and decrease
of fresh water flow are amongst the major causes for
this.
3. The ground water tables will gradually go down. At
present in our country high yielding Aman and Boro paddy
are being cultivated with the help of irrigation. The
principal source of irrigation water is the shallow
tube wells, about 70% of the irrigation water comes
from them and the sources of remaining 25% are the waters
of rivers. canals and other surface water sources. When
the inter basin river link project will be completed,
then no surface water would be available for irrigation
in Bangladesh. As the country will have to depend solely
on ground water for irrigation, the ground water tables
will go down every year. For replenishment of ground
water, rain contributes about 20% and river flow about
80%. If the river flow decreases and ultimately stops
totally, the 80% of the replenishment process would
also stop and if the groundwater level goes down by
about 5 meter from the present level, all the shallow
tube wells will become non-functional. The implementation
of inter basin river link project will bring such situation
within a span of less than 10 years.
4. The implementation of inter basin river link project
by India will seriously affect the cultivation of all
crops and vegetables including the principal crop paddy.
According to Statistical year Book, 2000 the country
in 1999-2000 produced 23.07 million tons of rice in
about 26.46 million acres of land of which about 11.15m
acres land was under irrigation. The high yielding varieties
are cultivated in irrigated land. If the irrigation
process totally stops due to non-availability of groundwater,
the rice production will almost come to an end. It has
been estimated that there would be a loss in rice production
in the tune of 3500 crores Taka annually. The govt.
will not be able to import such a huge amount of rice
from other countries.
5. When the water tables will go down significantly
then even water uplifting through tube wells will not
be possible and water for drinking, domestic work and
irrigation will become scarce.
6. As the ground water tables go down more and more,
arsenic contaminated water will come up, the concentration
of arsenic in ground water would increase and risk of
arsenic poisoning throughout the country would also
increase. Already the contamination of ground water
by arsenic in many parts of the country has been reported.
As a consequence a large portion of population, more
than 40 million are in the risk of arsenic poisoning.
The implementation of inter basin river link project
would increase the risk in great extent.
7. The diminished water flow will decrease the navigation
in inland rivers. Bangladesh had a total inland navigational
route of about 24 thousands km in 1971. Due to upstream
withdrawal of water, already the country lost about
15.600 km inland navigational route and another 3300
km has become risky for navigation. Presently Bangladesh
has only about 6 thousand km inland navigational route
[ Bangladesh Water Board]. This will also decrease the
process of sediment transportation, thereby the river-beds
will be filled up and the water flow capacity and the
gradients of the river-beds will decrease. Then during
rainy season it will be difficult to transport huge
amount of water to the Bay of Bengal, thus increasing
the intensity and frequency of floods in Bangladesh.
8. Scarcity of fresh water will decrease the food and
fish production. Bangladesh would turn into a desert
instead of a green land. A set of photographs shown
below depicts the almost-desert like situation in around
the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh.
9. The withdrawal of water by inter basin river link
project means the obstruction of natural flow of water.
Therefore due to some natural calamities like earthquakes
and tremendous pressure of water on dams and barrages
due to excessive rainfall in the catchments area might
cause breakage in dams and barrages. If this happens
anytime, the sudden on rush of water from upstream will
cause severe flood in Bangladesh and many parts of the
country might be washed away by that.
10. India is planning to construct a dam at the upstream
of the Brahmaputra at Dubri in Asam. The place is in
the earthquake prone zone. After the construction of
this dam, if a severe earthquake takes place, then there
might be a catastrophic disaster like that of the Tsunami
in Bangladesh.
India’s inter basin river link project
is contrary to International laws
There are international protocols for sharing of common
rivers flowing through more than one country. It is
mandatory to supply the data of the flow of water through
a river, its courses, the environment and ecology of
the river bank and catchments area and bio-diversity
of the country to the country or countries sharing the
same river. But India is not supplying any information
about its on-going inter basin river link project to
Bangladesh.
The rivers included in the inter basin river link projects
are all international or common rivers between India
and Bangladesh. Therefore unilateral construction of
any barrage of upstream, withdrawal of upstream water
and change of river course are definitely in violation
of the international laws.
The United Nations Convention on the law of the Non-navigational
uses of international rivers was adopted by the UN General
Assembly on May 21, 1977 vide resolution 51/229. The
37-articles water course convention with its 14 articles
annexture give guidelines for the non-navigational uses
of international water courses, as well as measures
to protect, preserve and manage them.
The Helsinki Rules on the uses of the waters of International
Rivers adopted by the International Law Association
at the 52nd Conference held in Helsinki in August 1966.
The articles 4 and 5 of the treaty emphasizes that all
the states of the river basin while using the water
of a common river will consider the economic and social
need of the other countries.
Therefore India’s inter basin river link project
is a clear violation of these articles.
Article 21 of the Helsinki Rules makes it mandatory
for a ‘State of the common river basin to inform
the other States about its adopted steps on the use
of water flow’
Chapter 2, C on Danger to Human life states, ‘if
the activity of conduct causes pollution that endangers
human life in another state, such activity or conduct
would probably be deemed inconsistent with the principle
of equitable sharing.’
A new dimension has been added to the regime of the
international water courses law in 1997 by the International
Court of Justice. The International Court of Justice
on a controversy between Hungary and Slovakia on a bilateral
treaty on the Danube River gave verdict that ‘Hungary
had a basic right to an equitable and reasonable sharing
of the resources of an international water course’
which was violated by Czuckoslovakia/Slovakia.
The 1997 UN watercourse convention was referred to a
authority by the International Court of Justice despite
its status not yet being in force.
The article 7(1) of the International watercourses convention
adopted in UN is follows “Each country while using
water from an international river must take necessary
measures so that the countries in the same river basin
do not experience any major damage”
The inter basin river link project of India also clearly
violates the above mentioned article of UN convention.
The upstream water diversion would not only cause many
major damages to Bangladesh, rather the existence of
the country would be at stake.
The Ganges is not Indian in origin. It originates from
Gangotri Glacier of the Himalayas in Tibet, China and
also passes through Nepal. Thus India has no legal right
to exploit the Ganges water alone. Thus India has no
legal rights to withdraw Water from other trans-boundary
rivers.
In addition to that the loss of bio-diversity, the loss
of habitation of aquatic animals and depletion of the
Sunderban (declared as a global heritage of mankind
by the UNESCO), the largest mangrove forest of the world,
all these also violates the laws adopted in many international
conventions.
Social and environmental upheaval associated
with the interlink project
Transfer of water from one basin to another is not a
simple arithmetic exercise. There are diverse social,
economic and ecological impacts of all transfers from
one basin to another that need to be assessed. And,
those affected socially or economically by adverse impacts,
needs to be fully compensated for. Information available
so far on the proposal for interlinking, there is no
reference to the assessment of such costs. It is logical
to say, that there are many important reasons for examining
the scientific validity of the justifications put forward
for this Inter Basin River Link project, which is a
very costly project.
Inter basin river link project would involve enormous
social and environmental upheaval and enormous conflict
between States within India also. The Cauvery dispute
is only between 3 states on the sharing of water of
one river. If is very difficult to imagine about what
will happen when water from several rivers is taken
to other rivers across several states, even within India.
Recently, the World Bank along with several other international
agencies formed a World Commission on dams for a retrospective
study of the overall impact of large dams and irrigation
projects in different Country. This commission had members
from the dam construction industry as well as from environmental
and social activist organizations. The commission to
its unanimous report, mainly pointed out that the costs
of large dams had been largely underestimated and the
benefits exaggerated. The environmental and social impacts
of such large projects, as reported had largely been
left out in the cost benefit calculations.
The India Country Study conducted by some of the most
eminent experts concluded; “It is evident that
past (large dam) projects, in general, have not been
comprehensively assessed in terms of their environmental,
social and economic viability and optimality,- Also,
the distribution of most of the costs and benefits of
large dams seems to accentuate socio-economic inequities.”
It is quite clear that
in India also, the experts are opposing the project.
There are protests from many quarter inside India against
the project. Videl Upadhyay, a Lawyer in the Supreme
Court of India in his article ‘Curt before the
horse’ reviews the predicament of the interlinking
rivers projects.
He wrote, ‘If an objective assessment of these
aspects finds that the project simply cannot go ahead
in its present form and strategies the ambitious plan
should either be shelved or the proponents should start
over again.
The interlinking of the Ken river with the Betwa had
been proposed by the NWDA and this was perceived to
be one of the easier and among the least controversial
of the links. However, even after a technical go ahead
for the proposed link, the present Chief Minister of
U.P. has questioned the initiative saying that the presumption
that there are surplus waters in the Ken basin to be
diverted to the water deficit Betwa basin is incorrect.
In the absence of any specific study supporting this,
the UP CM’s decision – more aptly an announcement
– can only be characterized as political and grounded
more on expediency in times of elections than on principles.
Another proposed link in the peninsular component. The
Parvati Kali – Sindh - Chambal Link. Territorially
these rivers fall into the states of Madhya Prodesh
and Rajasthan. It was not possible by these two stases
to arrive at any sort of an agreement on this comparatively
small and technically feasible link.
The Indian National Water policy 2002 has recently asserted
that “the water sharing/distribution amongst the
states should be guided by a national prospective with
due regard to water resource availability and needs
within the river basin”. It also included guidelines
for water short states outside the basin that need to
be involved for future agreements amongst the basin
states. In addition, there is an existing ‘Draft
National Policy Guidelines For Water Allocation amongst
the States’ prepared by the Ministry of Water
Resources that has been under consideration for over
a decade. Despite all of this, States seem to be agreeing
to disagree on proposed links.’
Immediate Tasks ahead of Bangldesh
— Bangladesh should not waste any more time. India
has already implemented more than 30% of the project.
— The present Indian Govt. is assuring Bangladesh
that they will evaluate the project in-depth before implementation
and would take necessary steps so that the interest of
Bangladesh are not hampered. But Bangladesh should not
be satisfied with these assurances. After the assurance,
a MOU has been signed between two States of India for
implementing the Ken-Betwa component of the project.
The whole project is a threat to the existence of Bangladesh.
Therefore, the abandoning of the project is the only solution,
which will be beneficial for Bangladesh.
— Government of Bangladesh should continue to exert
pressure on India, bilaterally, regionally and also internationally
so that India shelves the project.
Regional cooperation for sharing of water
Although the most of the catchment areas of the 57 common
rivers falls within India, the catchment areas also include
Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China.
The Brahmaputra originates at the Chinese Tibetian region
then after flowing 1600 km enters India where the length
of the river is about 720 km and then enters Bangladesh.
With the tributaries, the total catchment area of the
Brahmapurta basin is about 580 thousand square kilometer.
The catchment area of the Ganges basin comprising three
countries Nepal, India, and Bangladesh is about 1006 thousand
square km.
India always insists that the water sharing agreement
should be bilateral. But without the involvement of all
the co-riperian countries, a meaningful sharing agreement
is not possible.A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has
been signed between India and China on 14 January 2002
for provision of hydrological information namely rainfall,
water level, discharge and other relevant information
on Yaluzangdu/Brahmaputra river in respect of 3 stations,
namely, Nugesha, yangcun and Nuxia in flood season by
China to India. The information will be furnished from
1st June to 15th October every year and will be useful
for flood forecasting purposes in the North Eastern Region
of India.
As a follow-up of the MOU, an Implementation Plan has
also been singed between the implementing agency namely
the Central Water Commission, Ministry of Water Resources
of India and the Bureau of Hydrology & Water Resources,
Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic
of China. The Chinese side has transmitted data to India
for the above mentioned 3 stations during the year 2002.
The Chinese authorities is being persuaded for providing
similar information by setting u additional hydrological
stations on Langquinzandlu (Sutlej) and Palongzangbu (Tributary
of Yaluzangbu/ Brahamputra).
-
The Himalayan region contains about
one-fourth of the world’s fresh water reserve.
A just and equitable sharing of water by all countries
of the basin would be beneficial for all people of the
region. The involment of China, where the Brahmaputra
is originated, cannot be ignored at all. The Chinese
Premier. Wen Jiabao has retariated the position of China
for regional water sharing. In a joint communiqué
during the State visit of the Chinese Prime Minister
in Bagladesh on 7-8 April 2005, it was stated, ‘Bangladesh
and China have agreed to protect and use the water resources
of the common rivers of the basin on equal rights and
justice and have also agreed for cooperation in the
water resources sector” [BSS April 9, 2005]
Very recently four nations of south-east Asia have reached
mutual understanding for sharing the Mekong River water.
Different states have been sharing water of rivers like
Rhine, Danube, Congo, Nile, Amazon, Zambesi, Chad, Indus
etc. No upstream country generally obstructs water to
deprive a downstream nation. According to international
laws all countries irrespective of their size, population,
location, religion, language etc. are equal to one another.
Even if a river originates in a particular country and
then crosses border, that country cannot deprive others
of its water.
The Mekong River Commission has been formed under the
supervision of the United Nations for the rational sharing
of water of the Mekong river basin amongst the countries
- Campochia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Indus valley
treaty has been signes between India and Pakistan under
UN supervision for ending the water dispute of the Indus
river.
Therefore it is logical to say that a Regional River
Commission formed under the supervision of UN might
usher a new era of cooperation amongst the countries
of the Ganges – Brahmaputra - Meghna Basin.
-
The initial cost for the implementation
of the inter basin river link project has been estimated
to be 200 billion US dollar. As the project goes for
full implementation the cost will definitely rise. It
is quite impossible for Indian Govt. to arrange such
a huge amount of money from the internal resources.
India has already approached the World Bank for support.
But the guideline adopted in 1991 by World Bank has
made it mandatory to assess the impacts on environment
before financing any projects. India has never at any
stages of designing the inter basin river link project
informed or supplied any data to World Bank and even
has not assessed the possible environmental impacts
on different region of India and Bangladesh. India has
a very strong lobby inside the World Bank. Bangladesh
should play an effective role to convince the World
Bank and other international funding/monetary agencies,
so that, they don’t come forward to finance a
project which is a threat to the existence of Bangladesh.
-
There is an urgent need of scientific
river training, dredging and effective management of
water of the common rivers with the help of international
agencies. This could possibly avert the impending danger
of environmental disaster and human suffering associated
with it.
-
Bangladesh has many internationally
reputed experts on Environment, Water resources management,
Agriculture, Economics and Bio-diversity and also Water
Rights activists including those of International Farakka
Committee in home and abroad. The Govt. should immediately
form a National Committee for formulating a national
documentation for the interest of the nation and its
future survival.
The only solution is to formulate a regional water sharing
agreement, comprising of all the countries of the river-basins
under the supervision of the United Nation which would
be able to protect Bangladesh from the impending great
danger.
Press Conference on International Seminar
Subject : Upstream Diversion : Disaster for Bangladesh.
On 4-5 January 2006 at IEB Ramna, Dhaka
In 1976, the late great leader of the peasants and working
class of Bangladesh, Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani
drew the attention of the world to the disastrous plight
of all living beings in the lower Ganges basin on account
of upstream withdrawal of water in the sub-Himalayan drainage
system. The issue of Farakka diversion of Ganges by India
causing environmental damage to Bangladesh was brought
before the UN General Assembly. Following a resolution
in the UNGA, an interim agreement was reached in 1977
for sharing of natural flow of the Ganges to allow partial
diversion at Farakka point, subject to a minimum guaranteed
discharge for the lower riparian in the lean season and
possible augmentation of the river flow at Farakka, as
many diversions further upstream rendered the lean season
discharge at Farakka point feeble. The agreement lapsed
in 1982 and unilateral diversion of Ganges waters at Farakka
continued with or without any provisional undeestanding
reached between the two countries. The environmental damages
to Bangladesh piled up over the years. Lives and livelihood
of several crore people and the flora and fauna of the
Sunderban were gravely endangered. In 1993, the International
Farakka Committee was formed, and the diaspara of Bangladesh
joined the fratemity of the mother country to echo their
cry of distress. In 1996, Bangladesh under duress settled
for a 30 years” agreement for Ganges water sharing
with India, without any guarantee of minimum discharge
to sustain the courses of the river downstream. The matter
of augmentation of Ganges flows at Farakka point has also
not been addressed. As a result, salinity spread and creeping
descrtification is taking hold of the lower Ganges basin
in Bangladesh, and the Sunderban, the largest mangrove
forest in the world which is part of world heritage is
slowly dying.
A river-linking project by India to divert
the other major Himalayan river Brahmaputra now threatens
the ecology of entire Bangladesh, as Brahmaputra provides
the lion’s share of surface water resources of Bangladesh.
The third major river of Bangladesh, the Meghna is threatened
by the construction upstream of a dam at Tipaimukh upstream
over its feeder flows from the Barak. A dam at Gajaldoba
in India has rendered the Teesta in Bangladesh dry in
many parts already this season. In fact, all the fifty
five common rivers, big or small, that enter Bangladesh
from India are suffering from reckless upstream diversions.
This brooks disaster not only for Bangladesh but also
for the entire eastern sub-Himalayan river system. The
cumulative effect of random structural interferences upstream
severely blocking natural drainage to the Bay cannot but
destabilizing for the entire eastern sub-Himalayan parts,
and may precipitate catastrophic phenomena in the geo-tectonically
active region. Several countries along the castern Himalayas
have stakes in the matter. The International Farakka Committee
has therefore taken the initiative to hold international
exchanges and learned deliberations on the issue. The
international conference in Dhaka on January 4-5 is part
of our international campaign for redress of random upstream
diversions causing disaster for the people and for the
ecological balance of Bangladesh. We intend also to draw
attention to the vulnerability of the regional environmental
stability. Apart from advocacy of the cause of those distressed
by random river diversions, a purpose of our compaign
is to persuade concerned countries to form a transnational
River Commission particularly for the river Brahmaputra,
for the resources of which China, India, Bhutan, Nepal
and Bangladesh co-riparian. We propose that a Brahmaputra
River Commission be formed at governmental, non-governmental
and expert levels, to benefit equitably all the co-riparian
taking into account multilateral dimensions of the river’s
resources, in the pattern of Danube River Commission or
the Mekong River Authority.
We need your full support. Thank you all.
Chilmari Declaration 2005
On Friday, 4 March 2005, at the end of
the Long March and grand rally, the International Farakka
Committee (IFC) leaders read a 15-point Chilmari Declaration,
strongly protesting the India’s River-linking Project
and vowed to resist it at any cost. Moreover, the IFC
asked India to abandon the plan, terming it as a weapon
of mass destruction, planned to kill millions of people
in Bangladesh including women and children. The grand
rally was organized by the IFC at the Brahmaputra bed
at Chilmari River Port, Kurigram, Bangladesh. Hundreds
of thousands of people, irrespective of cast, creed or
religion, from all walks of life from all over the country
and from international arena took part in the huge rally.
1. The meeting of Chilmari 2005, was
presided over by the IFC Chairman, Mr. Atiqur R. K. Yusufzai
Salu, and Secretary General Sayed Tipu Sultan conducted
the meeting, where Chilmari declaration was read out before
a huge gathering by the Assistant Secretary General Mr.
Mohammad Hussain Khan. The speakers expressed their grave
concern over the disastrous Indian plan for linking 57
common rivers and to divert water from those rivers in
the upstream in the Uttar Pradesh, Rajstan, Gujrat, Hariyana,
Daccan States, etc.
2. As Indian Government of India is implementing Indian
River-link Project by violating all the International
Laws, regulations and conventions of river sharing, human
rights violation is the concern of all the speakers. If
India implements her River-linking project, as an adverse
effect of which Bangladesh will turn into a desert within
next few years. While water in the rivers will dry up
and ground water level will go down, intrusion of saline
water and increase of salinity in soil and groundwater
will not allow crops to grow, ecology and bio-diversity
will be destroyed and their will be no habitation.
3. As an aftermath of India’s Farakka dam, which
has already affected in the environment, ecology and rivers,
Bangladesh’s Southwestern region has less agricultural
production in all areas of Rajshahi and Chapai Nawabganj,
and threatening the world’s largest heritage mangrove
forest, The Sundarbans. The salinity as well as, arsenic
contamination increased in many parts of the country.
There are scientific evidences that, increased salinity
is more than 60 times than that of Pre-Farakka period
in Ilsha & Tentulia System, has affected agriculture
in Barisal and Patuakhali.
4. The long march and grand rally was attended by members
of International Farakka Committee (IFC), North American
Long March Committee and IFC-Bangladesh. Also participated
by nationals from USA, Canada, UK, and Journalists, freedom
Fighters, environmentalists, educationists, writers and
poets, artists, engineers, doctors, agriculturist and
other professionals along with hundreds of thousands of
local people from all walks of life from all over the
country took part in the huge rally.
5. The Grand Rally, Internally reputed environmental scientist,
other speakers and hundreds of thousands of people express
their protest and aggrieved reaction against the Indian
Inter-Basin River Linking Project which is a threat to
the existence of Bangladesh.
6. The Grand Rally is strongly urging the Indian government
to stop all the studies and execution of projects related
to inter-Basin River Linking which is being done unilaterally,
till the due and legitimate share of water for Bangladesh
is ensure according to Internal treaties and United Nations
Charter.
7. The Grand Rally strongly urging the Bangladesh Government
to take a pioneering role for forming a regional River
Commission comprising the countries of the region, viz.,
China, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh under the supervision
of the United Nations and the World Bank.
8. The Grand Rally is expressing its solidarity to the
call and movement “Save The River, Save The Country,
Save Bangladesh” of the International Farakka Committee
and paying their great gratitude to the members of the
International Farakka Committee for their sacrifice, dedication
and creating unique example of patriotism.
9. The huge gathering is renewing the pledge to continue
the movement with the participation of population from
all works of life till the cancellation of the Bangladesh’s
existence threatening Indian Inter-Basin River Linking
Project and the legitimate share of water for Bangladesh
is ensure under the umbrella of the United Nations and
World Bank.
10. The Grand Rally urging the Bangladesh Government to
take immediate measures to stop the river erosion which
is threatening the Chillmari Bandar and also demanding
the rehabilitation of the people of the people affected
by the river (Bhramaputra) erosion.
11. The Grand Rally urges the government and all concerned
authorities to take appropriate measures to protect the
Sundarban, The largest Mangrove Forest of the world from
destruction, which has already been declared as a site
for world heritage by UNISCO.
12. The Grand Rally also urges the UNICEF and other concerned
bodies to come forward for putting pressure on India to
stop the Indian Inter-Basin River Linking Project, because
if the project is implemented the rights of the women
and children will be severely curbed.
13. The International Farakka Committee also declares
unequivocally to carry the environmental movement in collaboration
with friendly organization and all paratactic people till
India cancels the Bangladesh existence threatening Indian
Inter-Basin River Linking Project.
14. Today’s human sea urges all concerns irrespective
of political belief, religion, and locality to forge a
greater national unity for strengthening, particularly
the environment movement.
15. The Grand Rally strongly urges the Bangladesh Government
for taking appropriate measures for claiming proper compensation
from India for deterioration of environment and financial
loss incurred for that in Bangladesh due to unilateral
withdrawal of upstream water by Farakka Barrage and other
projects implemented by Indian Government.
The activities of the IFC in protest of 'Indian
River Inter-link Mega project', recently held, are as
follows:
On 27-29 December 2003, IFC has participated
as an invited representative in an international Conference
on "Land and Water" in New Delhi, India and
voiced their concerns over the 'Indian River Inter-link
Mega project' matter.
On 12 February 2004, IFC has organized
a National Conference entitled, "The impact of Upstream
Water Diversion from the International Rivers: Ganges-
Brahmaputra-Meghna through Indian River Inter-link Mega
project" at the Seminar Hall of Bangladesh-China
Friendship Convention Center, Dhaka. Mr. Abdul Mannan
Bhuiyan, M.P. the Honourable Minister for Local Government,
Rural development and Cooperatives of Bangladesh was the
Chief guest on the occasion.
The Chairman and a members of the Bangladesh
Caucus of the US Congress, Congressmen Mr. Joseph Crowley
and Mr. Gregory Micks were present in the conference as
Guests of Honour.
Several senior ministers of Bangladesh
Cabinet were present as the Special Guests of honour,
they were, Madam Khurshid Zahan Huq, M.P., the Honourable
Minister for Women and Children Affairs, Mr. Shahjahan
Siraj, M.P., the Honourable Minister for Environment and
Forest, Mr. Abdullah Al-Noman, M.P., the Honourable Minister
for Food, Mr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Huq Milon, M.P., the Honourable
State-Minister for Education, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir,
M.P., the Honourable State-Minister for Agriculture. Many
senior policy planners of the Government and foreign dignitaries
from different missions, embassies and high commissions,
and representatives of donor agencies attended the workshop
as guests on the occasion. Discussed about the project's
adverse effect will make havoc to the lives and livelihood
of the people of Bangladesh and curb the rights of women
and children's on the equal water shares.
IFC has organized a protest rally in
front of the United Nations Head quarters at NY and handed
over a memorandum to UN HQ and to the World Bank leaders,
stating the overall adverse effect and impending danger
of the project, urging World bank not to finance such
a devastating project of India.
On 16 March 2004, IFC Bangladesh Chapter
has participated as the member of the 'Bangladesh Citizen's
Facts Finding Commission's Farakka rally ('04)' in a calls
to stop water insurgency by India on Bangladesh. Dr. J.
U. Ahmad, the Chairman of IFC Bangladesh Chapter and Vice-Chancellor
of Jahangirnagar University was made Co-Chairman of the
Citizen's Facts Finding Commission. A large number of
IFC members visited Kansat of Chapai Nawabganj, Rajshahi
seen the devastating impact after the withdrawal of water
by Indian Farakka Dam and real situation of the Padma
river during lean session. There, in the public meeting,
Professor J.U. Ahmad of IFC addressed the huge gathering,
calling all to join in the movement towards equal sharing
of water with neighbouring countries.
On 25 May 2004, IFC Bangladesh Chapter
hosted a reception in honour of Mr. Banjamin Gillman,
Former Chairperson of US Congress' International Committee.
During this Bangladesh visit Gillman stayed at State-Guest
House Padma and the reception party was held there, where
he was briefed by Professor JU Ahmad, Chairman of IFC
Bangladesh Chapter about the serious adverse effect of
Indian River Inter-link Mega project on Bangladesh and
urged him to build world opinion in favour of Bangladesh
causes.
IFC has organized two seminars to build
public opinion against 'Indian river Inter-link Mega project
and on its adverse impact on Bangladesh' on 26 June 2004
in Washington D.C. and on 27 June 2004 in NY. Mr. A.R.K.Eusufzai,
Chairman, IFC and Mr. Sayed Tipu Sultan, Secretary General,
IFC made there Valuable speech and Professor J. U. Ahmad,
Chairman of IFC Bangladesh Chapter presented keynote paper
in both the seminars.
On 16 May 2004, in observance of Farakka
Long March day lead by Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani
in 1976, IFC Bangladesh Chapter has organized a seminar
in Tangail press Club, Bangladesh. Speakers were, Mr.
A.R.K. Eusufzai, Chairman, IFC and Mr. Sayed Tipu Sultan,
Secretary General, IFC and from IFC Bangladesh Chapter
Professor J. U. Ahmad, Chairman, Dr. Engr. S.I. Khan,
Adviser, Syed Erfanul Bari. All the speakers remembered
the memory of the far-sighted leadership of Moulana Abdul
Hamid Khan Bhasani against the long-term Indian plans
of Indian water withdrawal from common rivers.
On 21 August 2004, IFC, N.Y. and IFC
Bangladesh Chapter have organized a national workshop
on Flood and other environmental problems in Bangladesh:
Possible solutions" at VIP Lounge of National Press
Club, Dhaka.
A team of 7 IFC persons consisting of
Professor Dr. J. U. Ahmad, Sayed Tipu Sultan, Dr. Engr.
S.I. Khan, Syed Erfanul Bari, Kazi Mustafa Kamal and Abul
Kashem Laskar visited different location during 15-17
September 2004 along the shore opf Brahmaputra and selected
Cilmari Bandar as the site for the Grand Rally to be held
on 5 March 2005.
On 17 September 2004, a seminar on 'River
Inter-link Project: and the existence of Bangladesh at
a stake' was organized at S.A. Bari AT Auditorium, Dinajpur
by IFC Bangladesh Chapter's Dinajpur Branch.
On 22 September 2004, International Farakka
Committee and IFC Bangladesh Chapter organized a press
conference at the Conference room of Bangladesh Press
Club, Dhaka. Where IFC formally announced the Programme
of 'LONG MARCH and GRAND RALLY of 2005' and launched the
posters and booklets published on this occasion.
The Long March will begin from Dhaka
Press Club on 3 March 2004 at 7:00 a.m. Participants from
all over the Bangladesh and from other countries of the
world (abroad) will assembled at Chilmari Bandar in the
evening of 3 March 2004. A night long cultural programme
of patriotic Jari-gan, Baul and other songs will be held
at the site of the rally. The Grand rally will be held
at 10 a.m. on the 4 march 2004.
We invite people from all walks of life.
All, irrespective of political beliefs, are requested
to participate in the Long March and Grand Rally 2005,
for raising voice to protest against and to create pressure
on our neighbour country India to cancel the Indian River
Inter-link Mega Project. We urge to India to stop water
withdrawal from our common rivers, originated naturally
from Himalayas,Nepal and Manosh Sarobar, flown through
several lands/countries and falling in the Bay of Bengal
through deltaic land of Bangladesh.
International Farakka Committee-Bangladesh
International Farakka Committee has formed it's Bangladesh
National Committee is as follows:
President Professor Dr. J. U. AhmadSenior Vice-PresidentEngr.
Dr. S. I. KhanAdvisors:Mr Sadeq Khan, Mr Shafique Rehman,
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Professor S.S. Ullah, Mr. Gias
Kamal Chowdury, Mr. Raiz Uddin Ahmad, Prof. Golam Rahman,
Principal Mrs. Khaleda Habib, Md. Imam Hossain (Jahangir)Vice-PresidentProf.
Dr. Md. Khalilur Rahman, , Ms. Nazma Ahmed, Bulbul Khan
Mahbub, M.A.Bari Sarkar, TreasurerProf. Md. Obaidur RahmanGeneral
Secretary Syed Irfanul BariJoint SecretaryA.K. LaskarMembers:
Quazi Mustafa Kamal,Mr. Shahzada Chowdury, Md. Yusuf,
Mr. Sadrul Amin, Bahadur Shamim Al Masud, Mrs. Minu Safdar.
Secretariat in Dhaka:
Office: 214/1, Elephant Road, Dhaka-1205 Bangladesh,
Telephone/Fax: 8802 9110982, 973-779-2207
e-mail: rabd@bangla.net
Water
Diversion by Upper-Riparian Country of Bangladesh
Dr. Abdul Malik
Former Professor of Chemistry,
Dhaka University &Lecturer in Chemistry,
Cardiff University. Joint convenor, Save the Bangladesh
Rivers Campaign in the UK).
E-mail address: kmamalik@aol.com
The unilateral withdrawal of water by India from several
rivers that also flow through Bangladesh has caused
extreme concerns in Bangladesh. In fact, this particular
issue has been the main reason for Bangladesh to question
India’s positive attitude and goodwill towards
her eastern neighbour. While India is hailed outside
for democracy and economic development, her policies
towards the smaller neighbours are hardly scrutinised
and criticised by world media and western powers. That
India is pursuing a ‘water policy’ that
denies the rights of a lower riparian country and causes
irreparable damage to the lives and environment does
not get enough media and diplomatic attention. Ironically,
many stories fed by Indian sources in international
media try to portray Bangladesh as pursuing anti-India
policies and posing a threat to regional stability.
The greatest harm India has done to Bangladesh is by
the construction of the Farakka Barrage on the Ganges
river, only 11 miles upstream from where it enters into
Bangladesh. The Barrage was constructed unilaterally
to divert the main flow of an international river without
ever consulting the lower riparian Bangladesh and thus
violating the legitimate rights of a sovereign country.
India professed a policy of ‘friendship’
towards Bangladesh, visibly so during the latter’s
crucial fight for independence from Pakistan in 1971,
but the inauguration and formal commissioning of the
Farakka Barrage, apparently as an innocent water resource
management, in mid April, 1975, shook the very foundation
of that ‘friendship’. That India does not
wish to honour her international obligations to ‘smaller
and militarily weaker’ neighbours became very
clear to the Bangladeshi people and this created an
atmosphere of mistrust against India.
Over the years, it became increasingly clear that Farakka
has caused immense and irreversible damage to the river
Padma (the Ganges is known by this name in Bangladesh)
and all its tributaries, to the soil, environment, ecology,
river navigation and fisheries throughout south Bangladesh.
It has silted up many rivers, lowered the underground
water level, and affected the lives and livelihood about
40 million people. It has also increased the salinity
in the southern coastal areas and is threatening the
very existence of the Sundarbons described as the largest
mangrove in the world. According to an expert analysis,
Bangladesh has suffered an annual loss of $3 billion
in economic terms due to the adverse effects of the
Farakka Dam. Yet, India has never accepted any responsibility
for the damage Farakka has caused to Bangladesh, nor
has it tried to enter into any meaningful negotiation
with the affected party. On the contrary, any Bangladeshi
complaint or protest against the Dam has been construed
as ‘anti-India’ policy by the ‘ungrateful’
Bangladesh.
In addressing different problems between India and
Bangladesh, especially the water issue, the former has
always resorted to deception and diversionary tactics.
For example, the Indian water resources minister Priya
Ranjan Dasmunsi declared in Dhaka last September that
India will never implement any river-linking project
(RLP) that would adversely affect Bangladesh’s
interests. He further said, ‘the Brahmaputra part
of the river-linking project will not be implemented
in the next 2,000 years!’ (New Age, September
21, 2005). To allay Bangladesh’s concerns and
fears, he said that they are not incorporating the Ganges
and the Brahmaputra in the RLP project ‘as it
will harm some Indian states, including Bihar and West
Bengal, and then the neighbour, Bangladesh.’ On
the Tipaimukh dam project, Dasmunsi told journalists
that India would consult Bangladesh before implementing
it. It was also revealed that there was no development
in sharing of the Teesta water as India showed indifference
to discuss the issue with Bangladesh.
Clearly, Dasmunsi tried to evade the real issues of
major concern to Bangladesh by making diversionary comments.
Similar comments to the effect that ‘the RLP would
not affect Bangladesh’, ‘Bangladesh would
be consulted when appropriate’, or ‘Bangladesh
is making unnecessary complaints about it’, etc,
have been made on many previous occasions by the Indian
High Commissioner in Dhaka and many of the Indian officials.
But in reality, the RLP has already been approved by
the Indian government and some of its components in
the upper Ganges region are currently being implemented.
That India has been carrying out the project keeping
Bangladesh in the dark is a clear violation of all International
River Laws and environment laws. When Mr Dasmunsi says
that the project would not be implemented in 2000 years,
he is clearly trying to fool the Bangladeshi public.
How does he know beforehand what may or may not happen
to the project if and when he is no longer the water
resources minister? Moreover, if India does not really
want to proceed with the full implementation of the
project, why does his government keep everything secret
from Bangladesh government?
Dasmunsi’s comments on the Tipaimukh multipurpose
dam on the river Bo | | |
