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Bangladesh facing droughts, salinity due
to India's withdrawal of water:  PM

The Daily Observer
Thursday, March 25, 2004

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Wednesday told parliament that Bangladesh is facing droughts, salinity and ecological imbalance following India’s withdrawal of water by constructing dams upstream some common rivers, reports  UNB.

In reply to a supplementary from Moazzem Hossain Alal of the ruling BNP during the PM’s question time, she said the matter was raised with India by the Joint Rivers Commission and through diplomatic channel.

"We’re also working in the international arena on this subject,” she said and urged all parties to raise their voice in national interest against construction of dams by India on common rivers causing adverse impact on Bangladesh’s environment.

The Prime Minister said not only of BNP, it’s the responsibility of all to work together to save the country from the adversities stemming from tampering with the natural flows of the rivers.

In reply to another supplementary from Hafizuddin Ahmed (JP) on the Ganges water treaty with India, Khaleda Zia said the accord still existed. “However, we’re in discussion at official level with them (India) on how to improve it (accord) further,” she said.

Water Resources Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed visited India while the Indian Minister came to Dhaka discussing the matter.

Replying to Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu (BNP), the Prime Minister informed the House that her government would go for construction of the Ganges barrage on availability of foreign funds, as the project would require a huge amount of money.

To another question from Pintu, she said the government would demolish all illegal establishments from the bank of Buriganga and other rivers. “It’s important to maintain smooth flow of the rivers, including the Buriganga, by removing all unauthorized establishments as these cause water-logging.”

The Prime Minister said the government is working on recommendation of a committee for cleaning up the riverbeds and maintaining smooth flow of the Buriganga.

She also told the House that, although it is expensive, the government has plans for dredging to augment the navigability of the rivers silting up with the silts carried down by water from the upper riparian.

Source: The Daily Observer

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