The agriculture and environment of five districts on the banks of the river Teesta is endangered by an acute scarcity of water in the river, according to a study conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Center for Agri-research and Sustainable Environment & Entrepreneurship Development (CASEED). The research was assigned by the agriculture policy unit of agriculture ministry. The scarcity of water has been threatening agriculture and the environment in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts. The research indicates that the upstream water flow of the river has dropped drastically. Nearly 98 per cent of the water requirements is being met by groundwater. Due to the water scarcity, the Teesta barrage can provide farmers with only two per cent of the needed for irrigation, it added. The research paper on integrated agricultural plan for Teesta basin’ said a total of 85,570 metric tonnes of fish used to be caught ever year from Teesta and its tributaries. But now only 1,220 tonnes of fishes were caught in Teesta and its 20 tributaries in the past year.In the years between 1984 and 85, nearly 8 thousand tonnes of fish were caught in this river and its waterways. The research says many fish have already disappeared from the river. Due to the lack of siltation, the soil quality of the Teesta basin has deteriorated. The topsoil must have at least two per cent organic ingredients for a balance between agriculture activities and the environment, but it has been reduced to one per cent in the catchment area of the river. According to the study, a vast area of the region has become arid and sandy as a result of water scarcity. The forestry in the area has been reduced to one per cent. A fivemember research team led by former secretary of the fisheries and livestock ministry Zahurul Karim conducted the research work. The research paper recommends that the government draws up a Teesta treaty after discussing details with the relevant Indian counterpart. Asked about the present condition in the region, water resources minister Anisul Islam Mahmud told Prothom Alo that the government is trying its best to make a Teesta treaty as soon as possible. About the research, Zahurul Karim said 78 per cent land in the Teesta region is arable. However, due to the scarcity of water, it was not be possible to utilize this land. The ecosystem in the area has changed as a result of water shortage. The researchers have also recommended some directives about farming in the area. Zahurul added that there is dire need for water in the Teesta to implement these directives. According to a research published in the Water Policy Journal 2016 by the International Water Association, Bangladesh has been deprived of 45 lakh tonnes rice worth more than Tk 8 billion between 2006-07 and 2012-13. Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad and Arafanuzzaman jointly conducted the research. According to the research paper, authorities of the Teesta barrage committed irrigation to 18,450 hectares of arable land in the Teesta basin, but they provided farmers only with 14 per cent of the promised water supply for irrigation. In the 2013-14 season, the barrage authorities provide farmers 35 per cent of the water for the 70 thousand hectares. The research paper states that in past five years, Bangladesh’s part of Teesta had dried up. Vast areas of the Teesta basin has faced desertification. According to a research, a few years ago, groundwater used to be found 30-35 feet under the ground in Rangpur, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts, but now water could not be found even 60-65 feet under the ground. Two years ago, the aman rice crop used to be cultivated on 80 per cent of the land in the area. The Teesta barrage was constructed to supply water to the farmers for aman cultivation. Qazi Kholiquzzaman also told Prothom Alo that if at least 5000 cusecs of water was released in the Teesta during the dry session, most of the arable land could be irrigated in the area. The government should discuss with neighbouring India to avail half of the total Teesta water, he added. IFPRI and CASEED research says Bangladesh received 6,500 cusecs of water in the Teesta, but the supply was reduced to 250 cusecs last year. Due to the absence of organic ingredients in the soil, the cultivable land in the area is becoming dry and sandy. It has been creating ecological imbalance in the area, reads the IFPRI and CASEED research paper.
Prothom Alo 1998 – 2016