35pc Teesta people had to leave profession

A total of 35 percent of the people dependent on Teesta river lost their ancestral profession in last two decades because of low flow of water in the river.

At least 42 percent people had to relocate their homesteads for 10 times due to riverbank erosion, losing of professions and for other reasons.

Each family dependent on Teesta has to count, on an average, Tk 25,000 loss every year.
A study by international organisation ActionAid has revealed the information on the Teesta-dependent people.

Originated in Indian state Sikkim, the Teesta river enters Bangladesh through Lalmonirhat district.

Indian state West Bengal constructed Teesta Barrage around two decades ago at Gajoldoba in Jalpaiguri and obstructed its flow to Bangladesh.
The flow in Bangladesh part of the Teesta was recorded 350 cusec on 11 March. During this part of the season, the Teesta was supposed to see more than 5,000 cusec water in Bangladesh part of the river.

The ActionAid study began in July, 2013. Main researcher of the study was Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, a professor of International Relations at Dhaka University.

"The study is all about the impact of Teesta on the people living near its banks, their lifestyle, professions and culture. The study brings out the life and living of people dependent on the river," Dr Imtiaz Ahmed told Prothom Alo.

The study was conducted on 1,140 families living in two unions of Lalmonirhat's Sadar upazila and two other unions of Kurigram's Ulipur upazila. The average age of the people participating in the study was 45.

SM Waliuzzaman, a research officer of ActionAid Bangladesh said the study is yet to be published officially.

According to the study, a total of 35 percent people living near the Teesta riverbanks lost their ancestral professions as fisherman, boatman and farmer.

At least 25 percent people of both the riverbanks have become day labourers.

Abdul Jalil, 48, is such a day labourer who once was a boatman.

"I quitted my job as a boatman nine years ago. There is no water in the river, people cross the river on foot. I now work as a landless farmer," said Abdul Jalil hailing from Harinchora village of Khuniagachh.

A total of 34.5 percent families living near the Teesta banks lost their homesteads more than 10 times while 22 per cent have become homeless, says the study.

"I was a famer and fisherman in Harinchara village but left my village home after it was destroyed for around eight times in erosion," said Khokon Mia, 38, who finally opted for carpentry as his profession, and settled in a slum in Lalmonirhat.

Inamul Haque, an expert on water issues said, "According to international law, no country can use a cross border river in such a way that it harms the other country. But, it looks like we are making no effort at least to speak against the issue."

However, Joint River Commission (JRC) member Meer Sajjad Hossain said they are working on the issue.

Bangladesh is ready to ink a deal with India over Teesta water sharing but the rest depends on the negotiation of India's central government with West Bengal state, Meer Sajjad Hossain said.

"Change of profession (near Teesta riverbanks) is a very usual incident," Sajjad said.

However, Dr Imtiaz said, "I do not want to start a debate over this. But, people should understand the pain of the people who had to relocate their homesteads for around eight to ten times in their lifetime."

Our policymakers should have conscience, he added.