Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee told Parliament on Sunday that the government is steadfast in its efforts to secure Bangladesh’s rightful and equitable allocation of water from transboundary rivers.
Responding to a written tabled question from ruling party lawmaker Md Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9) in Parliament, the minister said that the construction of various infrastructures on transboundary rivers by upstream countries has contributed to reduced water flow into Bangladesh during the dry season.
He said the reduction of water flow in Bangladesh during the dry season due to infrastructure development on transboundary rivers in upstream countries is “not untrue,” and that the government is actively pursuing regional cooperation to ensure a fair share of water.
He noted that in addition to upstream interventions, declining water availability caused by natural factors and climate change is also affecting river flows.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives, the minister said the present government remains firmly committed to securing Bangladesh’s equitable share of water from transboundary rivers.
“The issue has been given significant importance and incorporated into the government’s election manifesto,” he added.
To address the challenges, the government is reviewing existing agreements and understandings on transboundary river water sharing and is working towards concluding new agreements where necessary, the minister informed Parliament.
He further said efforts are underway to strengthen the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), Bangladesh, and to promote integrated basin-wide management involving the countries sharing river basins with Bangladesh, namely India, Nepal, Bhutan and China.
The minister expressed hope that enhanced regional cooperation and coordinated river basin management would contribute to ensuring sustainable water resources management and safeguarding Bangladesh’s national interests.
