Rizvi urges Padma, Tista barrages to restore river flows
BNP Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said the construction of barrages on the Padma and Tista rivers could help restore river flows by conserving excess monsoon water for use during the dry season.
He stressed the need to strengthen Bangladesh's internal water resources management amid the country's failure to secure its fair share of water from the Farakka Barrage, alongside continued diplomatic efforts to ensure an equitable share of transboundary river waters.
Rizvi made the remarks while addressing a roundtable titled "The Role of Padma and Tista Barrages in Protecting National Water Resources" at a city hotel.
The National Committee for Implementation of Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge, the Tista River Protection Movement and Bangladeshi Professionals jointly organized the roundtable.
Rizvi said conserving excess monsoon water and using it during the dry season could increase water flows in the Padma's branches and sub-branches and other rivers, contributing to agricultural development, environmental balance and biodiversity conservation.
Referring to the Farakka water-sharing issue, he said the 1977 agreement included a guarantee clause to ensure Bangladesh's share of water, but the provision was dropped from the 1996 treaty. He called for a stronger position to secure the country's fair share of river water.
Addressing the event as special guest, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said vast areas of Nilphamari, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Gaibandha were once among the country's major agricultural production zones, where a wide variety of crops were grown.
However, people in these areas are now facing severe hardship due to water shortages and changes in river conditions, he said.
Dulu added that the livelihoods of nearly two crore people depend on the Tista River.
