In 5 Points – Tipaimukh Dam Row Farakka Barrage Dispute Water Disputes Between India and Bangladesh

In 5 Points – Tipaimukh Dam Row Farakka Barrage Dispute Water Disputes Between India and Bangladesh. In recent times, water disputes between Bangladesh and India have become a significant point of contention, particularly following the devastating floods in Bangladesh’s border regions.

Mohammad Nahid Islam, an adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, recently accused India of “non-cooperation,” specifically blaming New Delhi for opening the sluice gates of the Tripura dam without prior warning.

This incident has exacerbated tensions, with Bangladesh expressing concerns over India’s water management policies, especially regarding the proposed Tipaimukh dam on the Barak River.

The water disputes between Bangladesh and India are not new; they trace back to 1975 when India constructed the Farakka Barrage over the River Ganga in West Bengal’s Malda and Murshidabad districts.

The barrage was designed to divert water from the Ganga to the Hooghly River, aimed at maintaining the navigability of the Kolkata port. However, this construction raised significant concerns in Bangladesh, as it affected the flow of the Ganga River into the country.

Bangladesh argued that the Ganga should be recognized as an international river, necessitating a mutual agreement to regulate its flow. The situation escalated into a major diplomatic issue, straining relations between the two nations.

It wasn’t until 1996, after Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League came to power, that the Ganga Water Treaty was finalized, providing a framework for water-sharing between the two countries. Despite this agreement, water disputes have persisted, with new issues arising over time.

A more recent and pressing issue in the Bangladesh-India water disputes is the proposed construction of the Tipaimukh dam in India’s Manipur state.

This dam, planned on the Barak River, has faced heavy opposition from Bangladesh due to its potential impact on water flow into Bangladesh’s Surma and Kushiara rivers.

The Barak River is a major transboundary river, flowing through Assam in India before bifurcating into the Surma and Kushiara rivers upon entering Bangladesh.

According to analyses by Bangladeshi sources, including The Daily Star newspaper, the construction of the Tipaimukh dam would significantly reduce water flow into these rivers during the dry seasons of autumn, winter, and summer.

One of the critical concerns for Bangladesh is the impact of reduced water flow on Boro paddy cultivation. Boro paddy, a dry crop variety, is the main economic activity in Bangladesh’s Haor basin, particularly in the Sylhet division.

The Haor basin is a Ramsar site, recognized for its ecological significance and contribution to the country’s agricultural output. During the dry seasons, the reduced water flow due to the Tipaimukh dam could severely affect Boro paddy cultivation. A

ccording to a report by the Delhi-based think tank ORF, shutting down the dam during this period could disrupt the river’s ecosystem, ultimately harming crop production in Bangladesh. The potential agricultural losses could have widespread economic repercussions, heightening tensions between the two countries.

As the water disputes between Bangladesh and India continue to simmer, it is crucial for both nations to engage in diplomatic dialogue to address these concerns. Effective water management strategies, coupled with mutual cooperation, are essential to ensuring that the transboundary rivers serve the interests of both countries.

The resolution of these disputes will require a careful balancing of development needs with environmental sustainability and the livelihoods of those dependent on these vital water resources.

The ongoing water disputes between Bangladesh and India, particularly over the Farakka Barrage and the proposed Tipaimukh dam, underscore the complexities of transboundary water management.

With significant economic, environmental, and diplomatic stakes involved, both countries must prioritize cooperation and sustainable practices to resolve these issues amicably.

The future of Bangladesh-India relations may well hinge on how these water disputes are managed in the coming years.