Solving Teesta water crisis

Teesta water sharing, one of the most burning issues for Bangladesh, has already generated enough debate in our political arena. Some leftist parties and others organised agitation programmes and long march to the Teesta barrage demanding legal and due share of the Teesta water. When the BNP organised a long march on April 22-23, all on a sudden, the water flow of Teesta dramatically increased. But the level of water came down on the following day of the long march, which is a part of water diplomacy by India.
In July 1983, an inter-ministerial meeting between Bangladesh and India was held to wrap up the Teesta crisis. The meeting resolved that Bangladesh was to get 36 per cent and India 39 per cent of the Teesta water and the rest was to be retained in the river as its normal water level. But nothing happened apart from India again constructing another barrage at Gazaldoba.
As a result, India is taking away Teesta water unilaterally. Water is hardly available in the entire Teesta Barrage area at the beginning of this Boro season. On the other hand, serious flood occurs during the rainy season. Moreover, the irrigation of drought-stricken northern region of Bangladesh is badly hampered by the Teesta water crisis. Now, it is high time we resolved the Teesta issue politically.
Mozaharul Islam
Treasury Division
Rupali bank limited
Dhaka
mozahar.2013@yahoo.com