Info gap over structures on common rivers poses risks: Syeda Rizwana

Environment, forest, and climate change, as well as water resources ministries adviser of the interim government, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, has said the country's water system would be entirely at risk if it is not known where infrastructure is being developed across all common water bodies.

She made the remarks during a seminar titled 'Bangladesh's just rights in shared rivers' held today, Wednesday, at the water building (Pani Bhaban) on Green Road in the capital.

The World Rivers Day 2024 Celebration Parishad organised it.

While speaking as the chief guest, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the issue of water-sharing is a complex one.

She underscored the need to skillfully balance the interests of both countries involved.

However, Syeda Rizwana Hasan pointed out that some aspects are not too much complicated. For instance, it is crucial to know when floodwaters will enter Bangladesh, the extent of that influx, the rainfall amounts, and the potential flow within Bangladesh.

She said such information should be disclosed purely for humanitarian reasons, without involving political considerations.

Environment, forest and climate change affairs adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "We have to know where infrastructure is being built on shared water bodies—not just by India, but also by China, Nepal, and others. Without unaware of this, the country's water management would fall in risk completely."

Referring to neighbouring countries, the adviser said simply stating on a website that heavy rainfall is occurring does not provide necessary information. How heavy is the rainfall? Is it the heaviest on record?

She said when the water level is increasing every hour, there is no need for neighboring countries to sign international agreements in such a situation. These matters fall under customary rights.

If neighboring states are informed about the expected volume of water flow, appropriate precautions can be taken. While it may not be possible to prevent flooding entirely, early warnings can help mitigate impacts.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "Devastating floods will increase during this time of climate change. We need to obtain data from India, China, and Nepal regarding existing infrastructure on shared water bodies, rainfall amounts, and anticipated water flow."

The adviser of the interim government said, "As this is an international river, there is no scope to claim exclusive rights to the river. There is no scope to think that we will think for others after providing water to my people as it is an international river. There is a share for water rights on international rivers."

Rizwana Hasan said with advance information, it is possible to reduce the impact of floods.

She also said, “We will begin discussions with our upstream neighbors about obtaining this critical information for humanitarian grounds, highlighting the damages and loss of life we have faced this season.”

The River and Delta Research Center (RDRC) chairman Mohammad Ejaz presented the keynote paper at the seminar chaired by Mihir Biswas, convener of the World Rivers Day Celebration Committee and joint secretary of the Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA).

BAPA general secretary Alamgir Kabir moderated it. Among others, Shahidul Islam, chairman of the Department of Geography and Environment at Dhaka University, and Shamsul Huda, executive director of the Association for Land Reform in Bangladesh (ALRD) spoke