Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee has said the government will take political initiatives to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share of water from the 57 transboundary rivers shared with neighbouring countries.
He said the Farrakka Treaty would be renewed through political engagement while ensuring Bangladesh’s rightful share of water.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Transboundary Cooperation in South Asia: Prospects and Challenges” held at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital on Sunday.
The minister said the shared rivers are not merely a matter of water management; they are closely linked to regional peace, food and water security, the environment, climate resilience and economic prosperity.
He also said the previous government had failed to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share of water from the Farrakka because of a lack of political foresight and what he described as a submissive policy.
Shahid Uddin Chowdhury said climate change risks, floods, river erosion, drought, salinity and water scarcity are increasingly posing major threats to South Asian countries.
He stressed the need to strengthen transboundary cooperation to address these common challenges.
According to him, such risks can be addressed by enhancing cooperation among countries in exchanging information on river flows and flood forecasts, conducting joint research, disaster management and building climate-resilient infrastructure.
The water resources minister also stressed the importance of strengthening transboundary cooperation among South Asian countries to address common challenges, including sustainable water management, climate change risks, energy and regional connectivity.
At the seminar, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been working for the country’s development since assuming office.
He said the Padma Barrage Project has already been approved and work on it would begin soon.
Referring to the Teesta Master Plan, the state minister said work on the project would begin soon after receiving the opinion of the technical advisory committee.
He expressed hope that a self-reliant Bangladesh envisioned by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman would be built through the Padma Barrage, Teesta Master Plan and canal excavation projects.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Dr Saimum Parvez, Narsingdi-5 lawmaker Engineer Md Ashraf Uddin Bakul and others attended the seminar.
Engineer Shahrin Islam Tuhin, member secretary of the Association of Engineers Bangladesh, chaired the seminar.
Bangladesh Water Development Board’s Additional Chief Engineer Dr Mohammad Abul Hossain presented the keynote paper.
Former secretary Engineer ANH Akhter Hossain and others were also present at the event.
