'Conduct studies to assess impact on Bangladesh'

They said these assessments will help the country bargain with India and inform the international community about the adverse effects of the project.

The experts said the problem has to be solved politically and as such Bangladesh needs scientific and technical data to strengthen its position.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The roundtable on 'The Impact of the Indian River-linking Project on Bangladesh' was organised by the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) to mark its 56th founding anniversary.

State Minister for Water Resources Advocate Goutam Chakraborty attended the roundtable as chief guest.

He said the government under a task force is watching the project plan of India.

But all political parties have to be united and public awareness must be raised on this issue.

Prof Jahir Uddin Chowdhury of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) presented a keynote paper while Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, vice-chancellor of BRAC University, moderated the roundtable.

Prof Jahir said the withdrawal of water from the Brahmaputra and the Ganges under the river-linking project will leave serious impact on the country's agriculture, fisheries, ecology, navigation, wetlands and groundwater.

He said the Indian plan proposes a transfer of 224 billion cubic metre of water equivalent to about 25 percent of the annual flow that enters Bangladesh through the Brahmaputra and the Ganges.

Prof Jahir said if the flow of the Brahmaputra is reduced, salinity intrusion will be increased in the south-central and the south-east regions as the Brahmaputra contributes nearly 90 percent of the total water to control salinity intrusion.

Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury said the government should immediately inform India that the water transferring under the river-linking project will make serious adverse impact on Bangladesh.

Prof Ainun Nishat, country representative of the IUCN- the World Conservation Union, said the entire matter is a political process and to make it effective, solid technical data is needed.

Dr Hasna Moudud said the government should sensitise the issue and arrange a debate in parliament.

A national unity must be forged on this issue, she added.