Inter Basin Water Transfer Link Project of India

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In a meeting held today, the 21st of December, 2003, a group of professionals and civil society members discussed ways and means for doing effective advocacy in creating wider sensation and opinion against the disputed river linking project of India. Organized by Odhikar, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and UBINIG, the discussion was attended by  Advocate Syeda Rizwana Hasan,Director (Programmes), BELA; Dr. Asif Nazrul, Associate Professor, Department of Law, Dhaka University; Farhad Mazhar, Managing Director, UBINIG and Farida Akhter of UNINIG; Iqbal Sobhan, Chowdhury, Editor, Bangladesh Observer and President, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists; Mahfuz Ullah, Secretary General, Centre for Sustainable Development (CFSD); Adilur Rahman Khan of Odhikar; Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Executive Editor, Daily New Nation; Zakir Kibria of Bangla Praxis;representative of Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies and Chairperson, Coalition of Environmental NGOs (CEN); representative of the Daily New Age; representative of Nijera Kori; representative of Action Aid;,  representative of Institute of Engineers. Mr. Gopal Siwakoti Chintan, the Coordinator of South Asian Solidarity for River and People (SARP) was also attended the meeting. A group of journalists of different national dailies were also attended the meeting.

The meeting decided to create awareness about the adverse impact of the project at local, national, regional and international level. Referring to the letter of the Bangladeshi civil society activists that has been sent to the Supreme Court judges of India endorsing the project, the meeting decided to attempt to meet the Indian judiciary, water experts and human rights NGOs and share the concerns of Bangladesh over the project in near future. To bridge up the gaps between the state authorities and civil society initiatives, it has been decided to meet national authorities and submit memorandum to them particularly before the SAARC Forum so that the issue is raised and handled in the upcoming SAARC meetings. As part of creating an international campaign, it has been decided to initiate discussion with donor and funding agencies and also international agencies working for sustainable use and utilization of resources. In dealing with sharing and management of transboundary waters, the meeting emphasized on the need of having agreed upon regional arrangements like the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC).

The meeting decided to have a regional consultation against the river linking project in March, 2004 wherein participants from host country Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan shall throw light upon the problems with regard to trans-boundary water sharing and management and explore the alternatives for fair, equitable and sustainable utilization of trans-boundary waters. 

Prepared by:

Bahreen Khan
Senior Staff Lawyer, BELA

Source: Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).

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