The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday said Bangladesh may face a severe underground water crisis after 10 to 15 years due to drying up of rivers.

They said if India continues to withdraw river water, the country's underground water level would fall from 10 to15 feet per year.

They were addressing the roundtable on "Depriving Bangladesh of Water" organised by Deshmati Website in co-operation with Nagorik Forum, Shadesh Forum, Green and Peace and Environment and Development Research Institution (EDRI) at the National Press Club in the city.

Prof Moniruzzaman Mian, former Vice-Chancellor, Dhaka University addressed the function as chief guest, while President of International Farakka Committee Prof Dr Jasim Uddin Ahmed, also former Vice-Chancellor, Jahangirnagar University, Prof Dr Mohammad Abdur Rab, Chairman of the Red-Crescent Society, Shawkat Hossain Nilu, Chairman of National Peoples Party (NPP), Engr Nurul Amin Bhuiyan, among others, spoke.

Chowdhury Mohammad Faruk, contact person, Deshmati website, presented keynote paper in the roundtable, while journalist Mahedi Hasan Palash conducted it.

Prof Moniruzzaman said patriotism and unity among the country's people, strong political leaders like Moulana Bhasani and skilled government are needed to solve the trans-national (Bangladesh-India) river water crisis.

He said all the Indian and Nepalis are united on the issue of trans-national rivers, but it was unfortunate that the people of Bangladesh are not united on the issue.

Terming the River Water Treaty with India of1996 as a sham, he said in the treaty India was not compelled to provide water to Bangladesh in the dry session.

Enhancing negotiation skill of the concerned experts and authorities is essential to deal properly the joint river issues.

Prof Jasim Uddin Ahmed said source of 7 to 9 per cent of water in Bangladesh is rainfall, while 91 per cent is Bangladesh-India joint rivers.

Prof Abdur Rab said although Bangladesh is gifted with rivers, if India continues to divert the river flow, the country's bio diversity will be destroyed.