Bangladesh unlikely to get extra water from Teesta in lean seasons; and should seek India’s help to build monsoon reservoir: Bangladesh official

In a major U-turn from the long-standing demand of a Teesta treaty ensuring more water during lean periods from West Bengal, India; a senior government official of Bangladesh has pointed out that the country realistically stands little chance to get any more Teesta water from West Bengal. The proposal, if pursued officially, can have a major influence in regional geopolitics.

The official opined that Bangladesh should, instead, focus on constructing a reservoir or storage infrastructure on Teesta to conserve monsoon water with financial support coming from India.

The official, while qualifying the proposal to be a personal opinion, has confirmed that he has shared it “with many in the government”.

The opinion seems to be a step down from Bangladesh’s decade old demand of a Teesta treaty in line of Ganga agreement ensuring more water flow during summer from West Bengal; which has been stymied by Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee since 2011. Mamata maintains that the interest of West Bengal, especially its northern districts, will be compromised in case of such an agreement.

“Realistically speaking West Bengal will not be able to divert any water to Bangladesh during lean season, as it has diverted almost all water through Mahananda link channel in Gajoldoba to support agriculture and cater drinking water need in Siliguri and around … (moreover) from political point of view, Trinamool congress is weak in northern districts and hence, will not be ready to share any water at the cost of their political interest” said Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury, chairman of national river conservation commission of Bangladesh to this reporter at the side-lines of the recently concluded 8th International water conference held at Sylhet, Bangladesh. The meeting was organized by ActionAid Bangladesh.

“How long we can wait. We should try to do something soon to cater to the millions depending on teesta water for agriculture” added Chowdhury.

The China factor

“We need to conserve monsoon water for the dry season, and that is expensive. China has come forward to build the storage on Teesta, but my personal view is we should not take help from China. Either India should directly fund it; or, Bangladesh may build the reservoir or storage capacity around Dalia, where we already have a barrage, or elsewhere as technically feasible with its own funds and subsequently realise the amount with enhanced river transit tariff on India … in any way, India should bear the cost” added the official. “I have shared my view with many in the government” Chowdhury said.

Incidentally in July 2020, talks took place between Bangladesh and China about the possibility of the latter providing nearly 1 billion dollars to Bangladesh to implement a “Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project”. But according to sources the proposal has not yet received the green signal from the top echelon of the Bangladeshi government.

“Firstly, India is keen that Bangladesh does not get into a project with China on Teesta which is quite close to Indian border; moreover, the fear of falling into debt trap to China, post the development in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, also has played a role in not inking the deal so far” explained a Bangladeshi water expert working closely with the government.

According to sources, both pro and anti-China forces exist in Bangladesh bureaucracy regarding taking China’s help in Teesta water conservation; and also many see it – proposal to take Chinese help in Teesta – as a ploy of Sheikh Hasina government in pushing India for proactive actions on the Teesta.

Last November, Li Jiming, Chinese ambassador in Bangladesh told in Dhaka that though Bangladesh itself had earlier proposed a pilot project for managing Teesta, which was subsequently accepted by China, it seemed that there might be some hesitation on the Bangladesh side because of some outside pressure. Jiming made it clear that China would be willing to take up the project if formally requested by the Bangladeshi government.

“Choudhury’s proposal is a pragmatic way forward but I think it may also be explored whether both India and China can be part of the exercise … if India and China can work together in climate change and other issues; why not Teesta” asked Professor Imtiaz Ahmed of Dhaka University, who works on the geopolitics of water in south Asia; and was present in the Sylhet meeting.

Demand side management must

“Looks like a pragmatic way forward but may not be able to offer a sustainable solution unless Bangladesh does the demand side management of Teesta water… Bangladesh should start thinking about doing a crop diversification from irrigated paddy” opined Nilanjan Ghosh, an ecological economist and head, Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata. As of now Bangladesh is keen to get water from Teesta to cultivate 7 lakh hectres of agricultural land supporting more than 2 million farmers.

‘Such a step is not expected to provide a long-term solution. Rather river experts from both countries should sit together and find a solution which will benefit most people at the bank of Teesta … let politics follow the scientific solution” observed river expert Ainun Nishat from Dhaka to this reporter. Nishat also urged India to involve Indian state of Sikkim into the discussion as series of hydropower units being set up in Sikkim, is considered a major cause behind dwindling water flow in Teesta.

“The newly shared idea is possible if the Indian government agrees to the trade-off. However, I am not sure how much it will be possible to construct a barrage to conserve Teesta water in Bangladesh considering its topographical position” said another river expert from India. Bangladeshi experts however claim that if not a full-fledged barrage, other technical solutions are available to conserve monsoon water of Teesta.