A collection of essays titled ‘Antoshimanto Nodi,’ edited by Shuman Shams, was launched at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday.
Published by Anarjo Publication, the collection focuses on the rivers of Bangladesh that flow from India and Myanmar—the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh—and agreements regarding water supply.
The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed in 1996 between India and Bangladesh, is a 30-year agreement that specifies water sharing during the dry season of January to May at Farakka. It focuses on ensuring a minimum flow for Bangladesh and is set to expire this December.
The state minister for the road transport and highways division, Habibur Rashid, spoke as the chief guest.
River Research Institute director general SM Abu Huraira and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bangladesh consultant Engineer Sajedur Rahman, among others, spoke as special guests at the event, which was chaired by National and Global Oceanic and Riverine Resources Trust (NONGOR) Chairman Shuman Shams.
Environmental activists, researchers, and members of NONGOR from across the country attended and spoke at the event and a keynote paper by Shuman Shams on international river issues was presented.
Habibur Rashid said that the saddest part of current political discourse is that it neglects environmental issues. ‘The government works to recover canals and rivers across the country and has taken steps on tree-plantations, as well as re-examine international agreements about the water supply of rivers through bilateral diplomacy,’ said Habibur Rashid. He added that canal grabbing causes waterlogging and that environmental activists should work together on national issues.
Sajedur Rahman said that the Ganges and Brahmaputra are the main sources of water for all rivers in Bangladesh that come from India. ‘We need basin-based research and built-in infrastructure to maintain minimum flows in the rivers,’ he said, adding that political parties should be committed to the right to water.
Discussants also stressed the importance of maintaining the rivers, canals, and water bodies of the country, which need protection from being used as dumps for industrial waste.
