The growing number of dying rivers
Monday, 4 October 2010
Jahid Hussain
Over two dozen rivers in the south-western part of the country have already died from progressively reduced flow of the Padma in Bangladesh, according to recent reports appearing in a section of the media. This situation, the same reports suggest, has arisen because of prolonged diversion of water unilaterally by India since the construction of the Farraka barrage. There are two major tributaries of the Padma - the Gorai and Madhumati rivers. The once mighty tributaries of the Padma presently have a thin canal-like existence at many places, particularly during the lean months of river water flows. These hardly hold enough waters to feed their distributaries. As a result, 29 rivers have gradually died a gradual death.
The entire region comprising Khulna, Jessore and Satkhira used to be ecologically alive from the flow of these now-dead rivers. The virtual death of these rivers has led to growing aridity in the region. This is causing havoc to the local economy and the lives of the people.
In many places, the underground water levels in all such areas have fallen precariously. Vital water supplies for irrigation is thus denied at a time when these are badly needed for boro cultivation. A large number of fishermen have lost their occupations. The trees and vegetation are suffering from the growing waterlessness.
Many industries have taken a flight from the region. For example, the Khulna Paper Mill (KPM), a nationally important one, was closed down several years back, as it could no longer be supplied with fresh water. The waters in the nearby Pasur river turned very saline, forcing the closure of KPM. Futile efforts were made to keep the KPM alive by bringing fresh water with barges from long distance. Such arrangements were later abandoned when these were found to be no more feasible. The health conditions of the people in Khulna and adjoining areas are furthermore reported to be deteriorating because of excess salinity in the groundwaters. People there have been migrating to other areas of the country in search of better conditions for health and for livelihood.
The conditions in other areas of the country are also under varying degrees of threat. Unilateral activities in the Indian territories to divert waters from common rivers in a larger amount, experts fear, will hurt Bangladesh's interests most adversely and severely. Understandably India is facing its own problems in satisfying the demand for water by a number of its states. Inter-state disputes for sharing of the common rivers within the Indian territories have been on the rise. The central government of India has not yet been able to solve such disputes. But, as far as the joint rivers are concerned, Bangladesh as a lower-riparian country must uphold the legitimate rights of Bangladesh under the existing international norms, rules and laws. That is why a comprehensive bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and India for sharing of waters of the common rivers on a rational basis assumes a great deal of importance.
Unfortunately, things on this front are not progressing in the way it should have been in the interest of laying a strong foundation, based on shared understanding of each other's needs. Rather, unsavory signals still continue to come from the Indian side. For example, India has so far not committed not to build the Tipaimukh dam. If such a dam is built, it is, as some experts have been highlighting, most likely to bring on Farakka-like effects over vast stretches of north-eastern and central Bangladesh by interfering with the flow of the Brahmaputra. Another major river, the Teesta, along with its tributaries, have already dried up inside Bangladesh.
If things go on like this, then Bangladesh is certain to be heading for an environmental death. To preclude this possibility, urgent result-oriented talks with India are necessary.
Over two dozen rivers in the south-western part of the country have already died from progressively reduced flow of the Padma in Bangladesh, according to recent reports appearing in a section of the media. This situation, the same reports suggest, has arisen because of prolonged diversion of water unilaterally by India since the construction of the Farraka barrage. There are two major tributaries of the Padma - the Gorai and Madhumati rivers. The once mighty tributaries of the Padma presently have a thin canal-like existence at many places, particularly during the lean months of river water flows. These hardly hold enough waters to feed their distributaries. As a result, 29 rivers have gradually died a gradual death.
The entire region comprising Khulna, Jessore and Satkhira used to be ecologically alive from the flow of these now-dead rivers. The virtual death of these rivers has led to growing aridity in the region. This is causing havoc to the local economy and the lives of the people.
In many places, the underground water levels in all such areas have fallen precariously. Vital water supplies for irrigation is thus denied at a time when these are badly needed for boro cultivation. A large number of fishermen have lost their occupations. The trees and vegetation are suffering from the growing waterlessness.
Many industries have taken a flight from the region. For example, the Khulna Paper Mill (KPM), a nationally important one, was closed down several years back, as it could no longer be supplied with fresh water. The waters in the nearby Pasur river turned very saline, forcing the closure of KPM. Futile efforts were made to keep the KPM alive by bringing fresh water with barges from long distance. Such arrangements were later abandoned when these were found to be no more feasible. The health conditions of the people in Khulna and adjoining areas are furthermore reported to be deteriorating because of excess salinity in the groundwaters. People there have been migrating to other areas of the country in search of better conditions for health and for livelihood.
The conditions in other areas of the country are also under varying degrees of threat. Unilateral activities in the Indian territories to divert waters from common rivers in a larger amount, experts fear, will hurt Bangladesh's interests most adversely and severely. Understandably India is facing its own problems in satisfying the demand for water by a number of its states. Inter-state disputes for sharing of the common rivers within the Indian territories have been on the rise. The central government of India has not yet been able to solve such disputes. But, as far as the joint rivers are concerned, Bangladesh as a lower-riparian country must uphold the legitimate rights of Bangladesh under the existing international norms, rules and laws. That is why a comprehensive bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and India for sharing of waters of the common rivers on a rational basis assumes a great deal of importance.
Unfortunately, things on this front are not progressing in the way it should have been in the interest of laying a strong foundation, based on shared understanding of each other's needs. Rather, unsavory signals still continue to come from the Indian side. For example, India has so far not committed not to build the Tipaimukh dam. If such a dam is built, it is, as some experts have been highlighting, most likely to bring on Farakka-like effects over vast stretches of north-eastern and central Bangladesh by interfering with the flow of the Brahmaputra. Another major river, the Teesta, along with its tributaries, have already dried up inside Bangladesh.
If things go on like this, then Bangladesh is certain to be heading for an environmental death. To preclude this possibility, urgent result-oriented talks with India are necessary.