Farakka Barrage

INDIA'S FARAKKA BARRAGE IS A DISASTER FOR BANGLADESH

The name Bangladesh has become synonymous with Natural disasters which are beyond the control of human beings. But in recent years, a man-made disaster known as the Farraka Barrage has seriously affected Bangladesh's agriculture, navigation, fisheries, forestry, salinity and various components of the ecosystem.

In 1975 India completed the Farakka Barrage about 11 miles from the borders of Bangladesh to divert 40,000 cfs of the Ganges water into the Bhagirati-Hoogly River with the ostensible purpose of flushing the accumulated silts from the bed of the river and thereby improving the navigability at the Calcutta Port. The unilateral withdrawal of the Ganges water during the low flow months has caused both long-term and short-term effects in Bangladesh.

Long-Term Impacts on Bangladesh:

a) One fourth of the fertile agricultural land will become wasteland due to a shortage of water.

b) Thirty million lives are affected through environmental and economical ruin.

c) An estimated annual economic loss of over half a billion dollars in agricultural, fisheries, navigation and industries.

d) Frequent flooding due to environmental imbalance and changes in the natural flow of the Ganges.

The Immediate Effect on Bangladesh:

a) Reduction in agricultural products due to insufficient water for irrigation.

b) Reduction in aquatic population.

c) Transportation problems: boats rendered useless; tributaries are dry during dry season.

d) Increased salinity threatening crops, animal life drinking water, and industrial activities in southwest Bangladesh.

Steps Taken to Resolve the Problem:

a) Since 1951 negotiations between the former governement of Pakistan and India did not bear any results.

b) After Independence the Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission met over 90 times without any results.

c) In April 1975, Bangladesh agreed to a trial operation of the Farakka Barrage for the period from April 21-May 31 to...