The government is working on a priority basis to control erosion along the Teesta River, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources.
“Riverbank protection work is already underway along 19 kilometres, out of the 45 kilometres of the most erosion-prone areas of the Teesta while funding has been secured for the remaining 26 kilometres —construction on which will begin soon, " she said.
The adviser came up with the remarks on Tuesday while talking to reporters during her visit to the ongoing riverbank protection works near Gharialdanga Khitabkha Government Primary School in Rajarhat Upazila, Kurigram.
She also said that the demand for a permanent embankment to control Teesta erosion is legitimate.
However, such a project requires long-term planning and time for implementation. The present government is therefore focusing on emergency protection works in the most vulnerable areas within a short time frame, she added.
Replying to a question, the advisor affirmed that the Teesta water-sharing treaty is a rightful demand of the people of Bangladesh. “The government is pursuing this treaty in accordance with international law.”
She also informed that five public hearings have already been held as part of the formulation of the Teesta Master Plan, with participation from both local and international experts.
Feedback and recommendations from these hearings have been forwarded to the relevant ministries, and the plan will be finalized based on a consensus of expert opinions, she added.
Md. Enayet Ullah, director general of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Chief Engineer, Rangpur BWDB, Nusrat Sultana, Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram, Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Superintendent of Police, Kurigram, Md. Subedar Islam, Conservator of Forests, Rangpur Region, Nur Alam, Director General, Department of Environment, Md. Rakibul Islam, Executive Engineer, Kurigram BWDB, were present there, among others.
Later, the adviser visited the river protection works near Gatiasham Clinic in Rajarhat Upazila and the ongoing right-bank protection work upstream of the Panjarbhanga Railway Bridge in Kaunia Upazila, Rangpur.