Teesta at low watermark
Irrigation, navigation face setback, fishermen jobless
The shrinking Teesta at Char Gobardhon point in Lalmonirhat. Abnormal fall in the river's water level is posing a serious threat to navigation, fisheries and agriculture in the region.Photo: STAR
The river Teesta in Lalmonirhat and adjacent districts has reached its low water mark, posing serious threat to irrigation and livelihood of the fishermen. A huge landmass and a number of shoals have emerged turning the river into tapered, petty lanes. Miles after miles on the riverbed are facing threats of desertification and other environmental catastrophe. People living on the bank of the river said they saw abnormal fall in the water level in the last four months although it was thought that the situation would improve due to sufficient rain last year. They now apprehend that within a month or two the water flow would be at its lowest ebb. Attributing to the unilateral withdrawal of water by India through the Farakka Barrage in the upstream of Teesta Irrigation Barrage at Daliya of Hatibandha upazila for the abnormal fall of water level, the environmentalists in Lalmonirhat, observe that the sharp fall would be catastrophic for navigation, fisheries and agriculture. According to sources in Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Lalmonirhat, the water level of the river started to fall from mid-September last year. Many tube-wells in Lalmonirhat town and areas adjacent to the river have gone dry due to sharp fall in water level. Hundreds of shallow tube-wells meant for irrigating croplands have also become useless due to the same reason. The drastic fall in water level has resulted in total suspension of plying of vessels causing untold sufferings to two lakh people living in char villages under Sadar, Aditmari, Kaligonj and Hatibandha upazilas. At least 200 boatmen in 50 routes in the river in four upazilas are now in search of alternative sources of livelihood. Fishes are also not available in Teesta like before. Scores of fishermen have became jobless, while some are still clinging to their profession and many have already shifted to other profession. Sobahan Miah, 48, a fisherman of Char Gobordhon under Aditmari upazila said, “I earn only around Tk 50 to 70 a day this year although I had earned around Tk 150 to 200 during the same period last year." “Everyday I go out for fishing but I return without sufficient catches at the end of the day”, he lamented. Sub-divisional engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board Shafiqul Islam said, “As all the gates of Farakka in India are kept open during rainy season in the upstream of Teesta Barrage, the river floods the region”. “But during the dry season, India closes all the gates of the barrage causing serious fall in water level in the river”, Shafiqul added.
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