FARKKAH- An Ironical And

Dangerous Man-made Threat To

BANGLADESH By Giant Neighbor INDIA

Dr. Aktarul IslamAkhlaque-E-Rasul

INTRODUCTION

Ø The world’s 263 trans-boundary lake and river basins include the territory of 145 countries Ø Out of 263 trans-boundary rivers and lakes, 57

are located in Bangladesh of which 54 rivers are trans-boundary with India. Ø Ganges-Padma is one of the three mighty trans-

boundary riversØ India violating conditions of signed MoU

(memorandum of understanding ), agreement and treaty as well as international laws

GANGES-PADMA

The mighty river Ganges is originated in the Gongothry Glacier of the Himalaya, the largest mountain of the world.

Gagnges and its tributaries

Ganges in Banaras

Farakkah Barrageü Completed in 1974-75, the Farakkah Barrage is a dam on the Ganges River located in the Indian state of West Bengal, roughlyat a distance of 10 kilometers (km) from the border with Bangladesh in Chapainawabgang

ü It was built to divert the to divert 40,000 cfs of the Ganges water into the Baghirati-Hooghly River during the dry season

ü To ostensibly flush out the accumulating silts from the bed of the river which in the 1950s and 1960s was a problem at the major port of Kolkata on the Hooghly River and thereby improvingthe navigability at the Calcutta Port.

ü This is the longest barrage in the world and has recently been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records.

MoU

Ø An interim agreement was signed between India and Bangladesh in April 18, 1975.

Ø Bangladesh Government consented to withdraw 11000 to 16000 cusec water for every 10 days through the feeder canal of Farakka dam only for 41 days from April 21, 1975 to May 31, 1975.

Ø Unfortunately India withdrew the water even after 41 days violating the agreement.

Protest Against Farakka Barrage

üLong March lead by Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Vasanee May-15 to 16, 1976

üAbout one million people participated in the grand procession.

üNews media, print media, intellectuals, experts and specialists, writers, and people from all walks of life were come into unique entity.

üConsequently Government raised the Farakka issue to OIC and UN.

Out come of the protest

üAn agreement of five years between Bangladesh and India with a grantee clause of ensuring 80% water of existing normal flow to Bangladesh at any time was signed on November 1977. üThe agreement was revised again in 1982 for two years. üIn 1985 an MoU between Bangladesh and India with the guarantee clause for three years was signed in 1985. üWithin 1992 to 1996 no agreement and MoU was prevailed. üHowever in 1996, an agreement for thirty years was signed.

Out come of the agreement

q Even after signing treaty, agreement and MoU with or without guarantee clause, India did not ensure the legal water share to Bangladesh in any year since 1976.

q In March 30, 1993, water flow at Hardinge Bridge reached to 9,218 cusec (when there was no term agreement, treaty or MoU).

q In March 27, 1997, water flow at Hardinge Bridge reached to 6,457 cusec (when there is long term treaty of 30 year).

q India’s contention was that in fact Bangladesh had drawn more than its agreed share of water on nine occasions and only in March they had received less than their share which was totally false.

The Major Effects of Farakkah on Bangladesh

q Reduction in agricultural products due to insufficient water for irrigation. q Reduction in aquatic population. q Transportation problems: boats rendered useless; tributaries are dry during dry season.q Increased salinity threatening crops, animal life drinking water, and industrial activities in southwest Bangladesh.

• At Hardinge Bridge point water level also goes down as follows (BWDB)

Year Minimum water level (m) Average water level (m)

1970 6.6 6.66-7

1971 6.7

1972 6.7

1973 6.5

1974 6.8

1989 5.5 5.02

1990 5.2

1991 5.2

1992 4.8

1993 4.3

At Harding Bridge water flow (cumecs) was observed as follows

Month 1970-1974 1984-1988 1989-1993

January 3190 2000 1344

February 2680 1408 731

March 2373 1142 538

April 2238 1026 607

May 2025 1337 1067

June 5098 3388 3578

July 19800 25080 1050

August 35480 41960 28820

September 34375 41800 32620

October 17325 18000 14486

November 7210 6500 4554

December 4600 2642 2308

Hardinge Bridge at Pakshi over Padma in dry season

• Observation of Groundwater level (average) at Rajshahi at well RS 29 of BWDB shows crucial situation

Year Water level in meter (m)

1971-1973 11.5 - 12.5

1973-1975 12.5 - 13.5

1975-1977 13.5 - 10.3

1977-1979 10.3 - 11.0

1979-1981 11.5 - 12.0

1981-1983 12.0 - 10.0

1983-1985 10.0 - 11.0

1985-1987 11.0 - 8.00

1987-1989 8.00 - 6.00

1989-1991 6.00 - 8.50

1991-1993 8.50 - 7.00

Fields without crops turned commencing desertification on both banks of Padma in dry season

Chalanbeel without water in dry season

Water level at Beramarah pump station (PWDB and WDB).

Year Water Level (meter )

Minimum Water Level Required (meter )

1965-70 6.5-6.8 4.31980-75 6.0-6.81975-80 5.5-6.01980-85 5.3-6.01985-90 5.7-6.31990-95 4.2-5.01995 4.2-5.0

Environmental Impacts of Farakka

Increase Flood tendency in rainy season due to the release of surplus water

Low flow in dry season

Salinity intrusion in new areas

Salinity increase in existing saline zone

Desertification and draughtness

Suppression on the river course

Change in the river course and redistribution of water flow

Siltation in the river bed

Loss of fertility of the soil

Reduction of wetland

Effects on Sundarban: loss of animal, plant, birds, reptile and fish biodiversity

Reduction in river navigability

Adverse effects on cultivation and agriculture

Adverse effects on landuse

Declination of surface water level and groundwater level

Destruction of Forest

Environmental Impact of Farakka

Destruction of production of vegetables and fruits

Damage of water resources and water sources

Destruction of fish

Waterway transport facilities are out of order

Deterioration of ecosystem (both terrestrial and aquatic)

Causes arsenic contamination

Reduction of fresh water

Decrease in food production and other crops

Decrease of growth rate

Reduction of soil moisture content

Plankton, flora and fauna are under stress

Increase the frequency of very large and small floods

Decrease of groundwater recharge

Affects on new land reclamation from the Bay of Bengal

Decrease in water supply (domestic or irrigation)

Drying of tributaries of Ganges, 25 lost completely and 17 tends to die.

Socio-economic Impact

Adverse effect on settlements

Adverse effect on public life

Adverse effect on public health

Deteriorating of the living standard

Worseningand Loss of the business and trade

Reduction of energy

Reduction of fuel

Increase in social instability

Increase of unemployment

Increase of poverty

Increase of migration

Reduction of industrial output

Increase of food import

Thirty million lives are affected through environmental and economical ruin

An estimated annual economic loss of over a billion dollars in agricultural, fisheries, navigation and industries

WHAT TO BE DONE ?

v Bilateral Efforts through JRC (Joint River Commission) v Bilateral negotiation in presence of third partyv River Basin Based Regional Multilateral Effortsv International Effortsv Internal Efforts

Lower part of Ganga

Upper part of Ganga

Thank YouThank You