Resolve common environmental concerns during the September Summit
Apart from inter-governmental relations, there is a wide range of people-to-people interaction between the two nations. For the sake of national development of both the countries, closer bilateral cooperation between them is an utmost necessity, writes Abdul Matin
WE LEARNT from the press that the prime minister of India is due to visit Bangladesh in September, 2011. It is expected that during his visit, the heads of the governments of the two countries will meet and discuss many bilateral, regional, and international issues and hopefully will reach some understandings and agreements for betterment of life and living of the people.
Bangladesh and India have common anthropological ancestry and socio-political heritage. The ties between the countries became stronger through the cooperation during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Apart from inter-governmental relations, there is a wide range of people-to-people interaction between the two nations. For the sake of national development of both the countries, closer bilateral cooperation between them is an utmost necessity.
There are many transboundary rivers and ecological issues that the two countries need to resolve. Most of these issues originated from steps taken by India with respect to rivers that the two countries share. These unfortunate steps have aggravated the crises that Bangladesh in general faces as a low lying, densely populated delta, particularly in the context of climate change. There is no doubt that, India, being the neighbouring country, will also be affected if the ecology and economy of Bangladesh collapses under the weight of climate and environmental crises. It is therefore in the interest of both India and Bangladesh to work together in directions that will enable Bangladesh to withstand the climate and economic challenges that it faces.
What follows is a list of issues which the prime ministers of Bangladesh and India should take into consideration during their discussions and reach ecology-friendly, win-win solutions.
Common ecological issues
Transboundary rivers
Out of 57 transboundary rivers of Bangladesh, 54 originate in India. These receive hydration feeding from the Himalayan glaciers and upstream rainfalls falling on both the hilly and plain lands. The major problem of Bangladeshi rivers is reduction of water flows due to upstream diversions through barrages, dams, and other structural interventions. Farakka barrage on the Ganges and Gajoldoba barrage on the Teesta are the two prominent examples of such diversionary structures. However, there are numerous other such diversionary structures, such as on the Rivers Dud Kumari, Khoai, Sumeswary, Monu, Gomti, Mohori, and Dharla. In addition, upstream deforestation, mining, etc have resulted in profusion of boulders, soil, sands, coal extracts, etc disrupting and spoiling river flows. Finally, industrial pollution and dumping of domestic and cattle wastes have led to extreme pollution of river water. In the backdrop of the general problems above, we want to draw your attention to the following particular issues.
a) Farakka Barrage on the Ganges
FARAKKA barrage had a devastating impact on rivers, canals and wetlands of south-western Bangladesh. Out of 25 dying rivers of the country, the majority are in this part of the country. Plans to revitalise these rivers are not succeeding because of the Padma's diminished flow caused by Farakka. Ironically, the Indian rationale for Farakka, namely revival of the Kolkata sea port, has not proved to be valid. Instead, Farakka has become now a source of flooding in parts of West Bengal and Bihar, where affected people have been reported to be protesting against Farakka with hammers in hands, demanding immediate decommissioning and demolition of the Farakka barrage. The 1996 Indo-Bangla agreement on the Ganges water sharing has not been able to solve the basic problem that Farakka has caused to Bangladesh. The lean season water flow of the River Padma remains inadequate for the resuscitation of the rivers and ecology of Bangladesh's south and west. For the sake of the ecology of both south-west Bangladesh and neighbouring states of India, restoration of full flow in the Padma through decommissioning of the Farakka Barrage deserves due consideration.
b) Indian barrages on the River Teesta
INDIA has constructed several barrages on the Teesta river in order to divert the river's water away from Bangladesh. These barrages have diminished the lean season flow of the River Teesta to such an extent that very little water is left for Bangladesh, particularly during the lean season. According to press reports, a Teesta water sharing agreement is to be reached during the visit by the Indian prime minister. However, as the experience of the Indo-Bangladesh treaty on the Ganges water sharing shows, the deleterious effects on the rivers and ecology of northwest Bangladesh will not be ameliorated as long as the full flow of the Teesta is not restored through decommissioning and removal of the barrages that India has constructed.
c) Tipaimukh Dam on the River Barak
ACCORDING to press reports, India is proceeding with the Tipaimukh Dam on the River Barak, meant to generate electricity. However, according to many, the dam is also meant to be part of the diversionary structure that would include a future barrage to be constructed downstream at Fulertal. Tipaimukh is therefore a source of great concern for Bangladeshis, because it is going to disrupt the flows of the two most important eastern rivers of Bangladesh, namely Shurma and Kushiyara, which combine to form the River Meghna, the third most important river of the country. Tipaimukh is likely to affect the ecology and economy of the entire north-eastern part of Bangladesh, including ecologically sensitive haors (large inland water bodies) of the country. No wonder, therefore, Tipaimukh has been referred by many as the 'Farakka on the east' for Bangladesh, and public sentiment runs high on this issue. So the Tipaimukh Dam project should be abandoned with immediate effect.
d) Interventions into the River Brahmaputra
AFTER diminution of the Padma flow due to Farakka, the Brahmaputra remains the main source of surface water for Bangladesh. In fact, currently Brahmaputra accounts for about seventy per cent of Bangladesh's surface water flow. It is therefore very alarming for Bangladesh that the Indian government has reportedly taken up a plan to construct around 148 dams and barrages on the Brahmaputra and its various tributaries and distributaries in the north-eastern states, such as Arunachal, Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur to produce electricity and divert water. Such a massive intervention in the Brahmaputra basin can only bring a disaster upon Bangladesh. India's plan of construction of so many dams in her north-eastern provinces is particularly dangerous in view of the seismic activity in this region, so that major earthquakes leading to dam rupture and resulting catastrophes are a distinct possibility. In addition, press reports indicate that China is planning to construct dams on the upper reaches of the River Brahmaputra (namely the River Tsangpo) in order to divert water away toward central and northern China. Once implemented, these Chinese diversionary structures will diminish the Brahmaputra flow for both India and Bangladesh. The summit should initiate efforts to ensure that both India and China stop diversionary interventions in the Brahmaputra and its connecting rivers.
e) Indian river linking project
THE people of Bangladesh are also alarmed by the Indian River Linking Project, under which flows of the Brahmaputra and the Ganges are to be redirected toward southern and western parts of India. Even many Indian water experts have pointed out that such a project is totally opposed to the physical terrain of the sub-continent and will create an ecological disaster and prove to be huge waste in investible resources. For Bangladesh, of course, the project will imply completion of the strangulation of Bangladesh by taking away water from all her major rivers. India should abandon IRLP with immediate effect.
f) Cross border flush floods
In addition to diversion, several other problems with transboundary rivers have become important. One of these concerns, the flush floods originating in the north-eastern state of India and carrying huge amount of sand, gravel, coal dust, etc and inundating the neighbouring regions of Bangladesh. This has become a serious problem for the greater Sylhet district and parts of greater Mymensingh and Comilla districts. The debris brought in by these flush floods has led to filling up of several rivers, including the River Jadukata in Sunamganj. The debris and sand have rendered large tracts of agricultural lands uncultivable. To stop these harmful processes, the Indian states adjoining Bangladesh's border need to stop unplanned coal extraction, deforestation and denouement of hills, and other environmentally destructive activities along the rivers and in the areas through which they flow.
g) Cross border pollution
CROSS border pollution transmitted from India to Bangladesh by the transboundary rivers has become a serious problem. Industrial pollution has now joined the traditional pollution caused by household waste, carcasses of animals, etc. Pollution brought in from India by transboundary rivers is now not limited to major rivers such as the Ganges. Instead, it is now spreading to all rivers, such as River Salda carrying pollution from Agartala and River Feni carrying pollution from Ramgar area. In many cases the pollutants are supposed to contain radio-active elements, such as pollutants coming from Meghalaya along the River Jadukata. It is urgent that India stop such cross border pollution of common rivers.
h) Approaches to the rivers
DAMS, barrages, and projects mentioned above are all the result of the 'Commercial Approach' to rivers. According to this approach any river flow reaching the sea is a 'waste,' and hence all the river water has to be consumed. This approach has been in vogue for a long time, as it was supposed to embody modernisation. However, time and experience have shown that this approach to rivers is a wrong one, and in the long run and from broader perspective, it is harmful for ecology, economy, and the people. This approach also leads to conflict among nations and regions who share a river. Thus pursuit of this approach by India, and construction of Farakka, Gajoldoba, Tipaimukh, etc following this approach, has harmed and remains as serious obstacles to improvement of the relationship between India and Bangladesh. The Chinese plan to construct dams on River Tsangpo in order to divert water northward has become an additional source of tension in the relationship among China, India, and Bangladesh.
It is therefore urgent to abandon the commercial approach and instead adopt the 'ecological approach' to rivers. The latter approach suggests preservation of the natural direction and volume of river flows and discourages structural intervention in them. Such an approach assures base flow of all rivers during the lean period and keeps intact the flow and estuaries necessary for sustaining the fish stock and other aquatic life forms and biodiversity. The ecological approach is essential in order to maintain the river flows reaching the seas in order protect the marine ecology. The ecological approach also helps to convert the transboundary rivers from being a source of conflict into a bond of friendship among nations. Being the largest country of the sub-continent, India needs to provide the leadership to switching from the commercial to the ecological approach to rivers by all countries of the sub-continent. River activists of the countries of the region have come together in voicing the demand for abandonment of the commercial approach and adoption of the ecology-based wide approach to rivers. Now it is time for the leaders of the governments of these countries to agree to see the rationale of this demand and to accept and implement it. The upcoming Indo-Bangladesh summit can be a big step forward in that direction. The 'UN Convention on Non-navigational Use of Water Ways' promotes the ecological approach to rivers and both India and Bangladesh should decide to sign it immediately and urge other countries of the sub-continent to sign it too.
Forests and SundarbanIT IS not only rivers that Bangladesh and India share. They also share many other important and sensitive ecological treasures, such as the mangrove forests of Sundarban and hill forests on Bangladesh's north and eastern border. These forests are rich in bio-diversity and they are also the areas where members of many ethnic minorities live. It is the joint responsibility of India and Bangladesh to preserve and cherish these ecological treasures and to protect the rights of the ethnic minorities who have been traditionally living there. Unfortunately, as of now, there is not enough cooperation between Bangladesh and India in this regard. Yet, such cooperative efforts have become particularly important now, in view of the looming danger of climate change. The Indo-Bangladesh summit of September can make significant progress in fostering the needed cooperation in protecting the mangrove and hilly forests. Bangladesh and India also need to cooperate in protecting their forests from invasion by foreign species as well as from cross-border transfer of unsuitable species. In this regard, BAPA is alarmed by the plan to set up an Indo-Bangladesh joint venture 1,320 MW coal fired power plant in Rampal of Khulna. Emissions from this plant will have deleterious effects on Sundarban, which is only seven mile away from the proposed plant site. BAPA therefore urges the government of Bangladesh to reconsider the site of the plant and move it to a more safe location. BAPA hopes that India will see the rationale for the relocation.
Maritime boundary and marine resources
BEING two neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and India face some boundary demarcation problems, and these extend to maritime boundary too. Thus, there have been some differences of opinion regarding the international maritime boundary between Bangladesh and India in the Bay of Bengal. For the sake of protection and scientific exploration of resources like energy, fishery and other marine resources within their own legal boundaries, both Bangladesh and India need to resolve the maritime border conflicts on the basis of international norms, declarations, resolutions and laws, and on the basis of mutual respect for each other. The maritime boundary dispute should be resolved on the basis of the UN Clause 3, where it has been agreed that the ownership of any sea bed will be determined according to the adjacent land from where the silts came down to create it.
Climate change strategyCLIMATE change has emerged as the most important long term challenge for the world community, including Bangladesh and India. Due to its low elevation, dense population, location in a cyclone prone geographical zone, Bangladesh is likely to be one of the worst victims of climate change. Meanwhile, India has emerged as one of the largest emitter of Green House Gases that cause climate change. Bangladesh needs India's help in confronting the climate change danger. First, India can provide strong leadership in the international arena towards reduction of GHG emissions in order to stop aggravation of the climate change process. Second, India can help Bangladesh directly to cope with the climate change effects, to the extent that these have become inevitable.
The most important way in which India can help Bangladesh withstand climate change is through removing all the dams and barrages that it has constructed on the shared rivers, so that the full flow of these rivers can be resumed. Full flow of the rivers and the sediment that these bring with them can help Bangladesh counteract the rise in the sea level and the intrusion of salinity. Freed up rivers can also help Bangladesh counteract the across-season river flow destabilisation impact of climate change. Cooperation with regard to protection of the Sundarban can also be helpful in withstanding the extreme weather events that climate change is likely to cause and such events are likely to increase in number and ferocity. Thus there is a lot that India and Bangladesh can do together in order to mitigate and confront climate change. They can demand establishment of a UN Centre on Climate Change in Bangladesh. The Indo-Bangladesh summit of September 2011 can be a big step forward in joint and collaborative effort of the two countries in confronting climate change.
Ensuring cooperation in railway and transportation
THE Indo-Bangladesh summit can also be a significant step forward in improving the rail communications in the two countries and between them. In particular, Bangladesh can benefit a lot from India's expertise in running, maintaining, and developing one of the world's largest railway systems. Unfortunately, rail communications have suffered neglect in Bangladesh in recent decades, even though it is crucial in the development of a pro-people and eco-friendly transportation system in the country. It may be hoped that Bangladesh will make use of the summit in ensuring India's cooperation in its effort to rejuvenate and redevelop the rail communications. Railways also need be developed as an eco-friendly system in a planned manner.
Transit and transshipment
BANGLADESH and India should resolve the transit and transshipment issues in a mutually advantageous manner. Bangladesh may rightfully demand removal by India of all water diversionary structures on the shared rivers and implement only the mutually beneficial transit and transshipment facilities. On her part, Bangladesh needs to develop a comprehensive Land Use Plan, and examine the transit and transshipment issues in the context of such a plan.
Information exchange
ONE way to minimise misunderstanding and improve relationship between Bangladesh and India is to be more open regarding information. Unfortunately, India has been very reluctant to share information regarding the intervention projects that it has undertaken or plan to undertake on the rivers shared with Bangladesh. The recent examples in this regard are IRLP and Tipaimukh Dam project about which the Bangladesh people are having a very hard time to obtain necessary information. For the better future and congenial environment, both countries may adopt the policy of sharing all the information relating to common issues of environment. In particular, Bangladesh and India can benefit much from timely and adequate sharing of information regarding floods and river flows, cyclones, cross border movement of flora and fauna in the shared forests etc. The two countries may also strategise common goals of ecological interests in the face of ever increasing ecological and economic challenges.
Promoting and strengthening SAARC environment plan
BANGLADESH and India may take joint initiative towards formulation of a regional SAARC plan for combating climate change and other common ecological challenges faced by the region. BAPA urges both the leaders to make good use of the upcoming summit to ensure progress on the issues listed above in order to protect the environment and the people of the two countries. In particular, BAPA hopes that the summit will initiate a switch from the commercial approach to the ecological approach to rivers, leading to the restoration of full natural flow of the transboundary rivers through decommissioning of Farakka and Gajoldoba barrages and all other diversionary structures built on the shared rivers. Bangladesh should demand restoration of full flow of all the transboundary rivers while considering of transit and transshipment facilities to India Finally, BAPA hopes that the summit will initiate a cooperative process of combating climate change and resolve all ecological issue in a mutually beneficial way.
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On the basis of the BAPA Memorandum submitted to the prime ministers of Bangladesh and India entitled: 'Resolve Common Environmental Concerns between Bangladesh and India during the September 2011 Summit.'). Mohammad Abdul Matin is the general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon. memory14@agni.com
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