Bangladesh’s Quest for Water Justice: The Need for a Comprehensive Study

For decades, the people of Bangladesh have endured the consequences of water diversion by India from the cross-border rivers that once nourished their land. Rivers like the Ganges, Teesta, and Brahmaputra have become battlegrounds for water rights, with Bangladesh bearing the brunt of upstream water management decisions made by its neighbor. The impact has been devastating, leading to severe droughts, frequent floods, and widespread environmental degradation.

An initial estimate suggests that India may be owed around $10 billion annually for the damage caused by this water mismanagement. However, this figure is largely symbolic and not based on a rigorous assessment. To bring this issue to the international stage and seek justice, Bangladesh must conduct a thorough study to calculate the exact economic, environmental, and social costs of the water diversion.

The Need for a Comprehensive Study

The first step in this quest for justice is to understand the full extent of the damage. Bangladesh’s government, in collaboration with environmental scientists, economists, and legal experts, needs to undertake a comprehensive study that looks at:

1. Agricultural Losses: Assess the long-term impact on crop production due to reduced water flow, including the loss of fertile land and decreased yields.
2. Flood Damage: Evaluate the economic costs of recurring floods, exacerbated by the release of water from Indian barrages during the monsoon season, leading to destruction of homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
3. Environmental Degradation: Measure the ecological impact of siltation, riverbank erosion, and loss of biodiversity caused by irregular water flow and sediment deposition.
4. Social and Health Costs: Account for the displacement of communities, increased poverty, and health issues resulting from water scarcity and contamination.
5. Future Economic Impact: Project the long-term economic consequences if the current water management practices continue, including potential loss of GDP and worsening of living conditions.

Raising the Issue on the Global Stage

With concrete data in hand, Bangladesh would be in a stronger position to raise the issue with the international community. The study would provide a credible basis for demanding reparations or compensation from India, highlighting the urgency of renegotiating water-sharing agreements under international law.

Moreover, the findings could be presented at global forums such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and other international bodies, to garner support for Bangladesh’s case. The goal would be to push for a fair and just resolution that ensures sustainable water management practices in the region.

Conclusion

The $10 billion annual figure is a starting point, but the real value of the damage may be much higher. Bangladesh needs to conduct a detailed and scientifically grounded study to quantify the full extent of the losses caused by India’s upstream water management. This will be essential not only for seeking reparations but also for advocating for a more equitable and sustainable approach to managing shared water resources. The struggle for water sovereignty is not just about numbers—it’s about the survival and dignity of millions of Bangladeshis.

Syfullah Arif
President
Center for Bangladesh Development
Texas, USA