Ganges treaty expires in December; Jamaat seeks urgent parliament discussion

The 30-year Ganges water-sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh is set to expire this coming December. In this situation, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the opposition party in the national parliament, has expressed deep concern over water security and the environment in the southern region of the country.

It warned that if a fair and sustainable water-sharing arrangement is not ensured, there could be a severe water shortage at the Farakka point during the dry season. That could disrupt agricultural production, destroy the biodiversity of the Sundarbans and increase salinity in the coastal region.

On Monday (9 November), opposition member of parliament Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Dhaka-14) submitted a notice for an urgent discussion on the matter in the fourth session of the 13th National Parliament.

He submitted the notice to the Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat, Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure.

The notice states that the historic 30-year Ganges water-sharing treaty signed between India and Bangladesh expires on 12 December. The discussion is being sought to review the possible situation after the treaty expires and to demand effective steps to protect Bangladesh's national water security and interests.

The proposed notice says the future of the Ganges water-sharing treaty is deeply linked to Bangladesh's national water security, environmental balance and the livelihoods of crores of people. If a fair and sustainable water-sharing system is not ensured in time, there could be a severe water shortage at the Farakka point in the dry season.

It further warns that a water crisis could seriously disrupt the country's agricultural production and food security, and that the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen could be put at risk.

There is also concern that the navigability of distributaries in the south-west, including the Gorai river, could fall, the unique biodiversity of the Sundarbans could be damaged, and salinity in the coastal region could rise sharply.

The notice stresses stepping up diplomatic talks with India in light of international watercourse law and the principle of equitable basin-based use of water.

It also calls for ensuring long-term water resource management within the country, raising the protection of national interests through the Ganges Barrage project, implementation of the Teesta mega plan or the construction of alternative reservoirs.

The notice demands that before the treaty expires, effective and fruitful talks be held with India and steps be taken to renew the treaty or sign a new fair water-sharing treaty. It says urgent and specific action by the government is essential to protect Bangladesh's national interests.