A TEESTA RIVER DISPUTE BETWEEN BANGLADESH AND INDIA

Published by: Mansi Srivastava

INTRODUCTION

The Teesta River dispute is the most important bilateral issue concerning India and Bangladesh today.[1] This prolonged dispute is regarding the sharing of Teesta River's water between the two above-mentioned countries. Both India and Bangladesh are asking for the highest share of its water which is practically not possible while keeping in mind the nature of this particular Teesta River. Since the dispute related to river water is a state issue so opposition made by the Government of West Bengal is worth noting here. Let's just dive in to understand the background, reasons and other alternative solutions suggested pertaining to this dispute.

ABOUT THE TEESTA RIVER: IT’S ORIGIN, CHARACTERISTICS Etc.

Before we move further with the background and reasons for the dispute, let us understand the characteristics or nature of this River. Teesta River is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra flowing through India and Bangladesh. Its origin in terms of an area can be seen from the Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim and it continues to flow to the Rangpur division in Bangladesh before pouring into the Brahmaputra River via northern West Bengal. Whereas in terms of its origin from the lake it can be seen that this particular river originates from The TsoLamo Lake which gets its water from the Kangse glacier situated in Sikkim Himalayas. After Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna River, Teesta is the fourth largest river among 54 rivers which are being shared by India and Bangladesh.

The Teesta River Basin is densely populated as it is home to around 30 million people out of whom it is estimated that 2% of the population is located in Sikkim, 27% of the population is located in North Bengal and the rest 71% people are of North Bangladesh. Thus, more than 21 million people in Bangladesh are either directly or indirectly dependent on this river for their livelihood. Though Teesta is a perennial river but an extreme variability can be seen in its flow throughout the year which creates a problem for both countries.[2] Since Bangladesh is a lower riparian country so it faces more problems than other countries because of the extreme variability in the flow of the Teesta River.

BACKGROUND

The largest tributary of Brahmaputra, the Teesta River has been in the headlines for its conflict between India and Bangladesh since 1947. The issue between these two countries began when the drainage areas of the Teesta River were allotted to India. After the setting up of the India- Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission in 1972, an ad hoc arrangement on sharing of Teesta waters was made in 1983, with India receiving 39% of water and Bangladesh receiving 36% of it.[3] The significance of this water dispute can be seen after the conclusion of the Ganga Water Treaty in 1996 but the negotiations done between the countries didn't make enough progress though.

As of 2011, India and Bangladesh, both agreed to share 37.5% and 42.5% respectively of the Teesta water but due to the opposition made by the West Bengal’s Government, this deal was never completed since then. Moreover, the constant building of dams along this River in Sikkim has resulted in thedraining of the agricultural flow into Bangladesh, which is another cause of problems for the population of North Bengal and Bangladesh.

REASONS BEHIND THE DISPUTE

India claims 55% of the Teesta River's water whereas, on the other hand, Bangladesh claims 50% of the river's water between December and May every year which is practically not possible. The time between December and May is the time when the water flow to the country drops drastically as only 10% of the water flow occurs in October – May. A major flow of water i.e. 90% of the flow occurs in the rainy season from July to September. Upon India denying the claim, the Bangladesh authority said that it is nearly impossible for them to meet the irrigation needs as not enough water is flowing into the Teesta during these months.

WHAT BENGAL HAS TO SAY?

· Since a water dispute is a State dispute so according to the Chief Minister of Bengal it is unfair if this issue is dealt with solely by India and Bangladesh without the Government of Bengal’s approval.

· According to Smt. Mamta Banerjee (Chief Minister of Bengal) as water is released from Teesta and Farakka Barrages to Bangladesh which sacrifices the state’s interest as Teesta water is the only source upon which the population of West Bengal district depends.[4]

· This river has proved to be a lifeline for dozens of West Bengal’s population and sharing it with Bangladesh will have implications for irrigation in India.

· Both India and Bangladesh have tried many times to solve this issue but due to the opposition from the West Bengal Government, the deal between the two countries never went through.

WHAT BANGLADESH IS CLAIMING?

· Apart from the 50% of the claim made by Bangladesh another point of conflict from the side of Bangladesh is the establishment of hydro powers on the Teesta River.

· There are almost 26 projects on this river from which most of them are established in Sikkim. These hydro powers have reduced the river's flow during times of drought by greatly affecting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, fishermen, and boatmen in Bangladesh.

· In addition to this, during the monsoon season, Indian dams which are established on the Teesta River releasesan excess of water which is the major cause of heavy floods and disruption of thousands of livelihoods in the Rangpur division of Bangladesh. Thus Bangladesh wants that India should release the water of the Teesta River in the dry season.

STEPS TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE

1. Joint River Commission (JRC)

· The Indo- Bangladesh Joint River Commission was established after the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

· The basic objective of the JRC was to work together in controlling the rivers which are common to both countries for the benefit of the population of the countries.

· 1983 was the year when both the countries reached a half-hearted deal, where a nearly equal division of water was proposed but the agreement could not be implemented.

2. The Interim Arrangement

· After 1983 the talk about the dispute resumed straight away after 25 years i.e in 2008.

· Former Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh visited Dhaka in 2011 and was about to finalize the deal but again Bengal's Government opposed this interim arrangement.

· According to this Interim Arrangement, it was then decided that during the lean or agricultural season India would get 42.5% of the Teesta River Water, and Bangladesh agreed to take 37.5% of the River's water. [5]

· The final agreement was withdrawn at the last moment because of the protest made by Bengal's CM as according to Bengal's Government, the population of West Bengal will be the most affected one if this agreement is signed between both the countries.

3. Talk over the issue again resumed in 2014

· In 2014, when Mr. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, he decided to end this issue.

· Since then, multiple deliberations were seen between both the countries to agree upon the agreement but one of the key stakeholders in the deal, i.e. Bengal's Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee is yet to endorse the deal.

· Chief Minister of Bengal claimed that the population of North Bengal will get affected if this deal between both the countries is being finalized.

· Teesta Water dispute remains to be the vexed problem even today as it was important to take Bengal's CM onboard.[6]

INVOLVEMENT OF CHINA IN TEESTA DISPUTE

The situation in 2020 was out of control when Bangladesh asked China to help them with flood and water crises in the summers. Bangladesh wanted China to invest $ 1 billion in the Rangpur division of Bangladesh for the comprehensive management and restoration project on the Teesta River.[7] This project was aimed to manage the river basin efficiently so that floods and water crises during the summer season can be controlled in that particular region.[8] This new relationship between Bangladesh and China became a matter of concern for the Central Government of India as it was the time when India was attentive about China following the standoff in Ladakh.

This deal between China and Bangladesh is still not finalized but it created a sense of terror among Indians and the Central Government.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS GIVEN

1. Article 253 of the Indian Constitution

According to Article 253 of the Indian Constitution

"Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, Parliament has the power to make any law for the whole or any part of the territory of India for implementing any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or countries or any decision made at any international conference, association or other body"

Thus according to the given Article Indian Parliament has the power to make any law upon state subject matters especially if the matter is related to international relationships between the countries. Although this measure is a substantive solution for this issue it can spoil the federal relationship between the Central Government and West Bengal’s Government.

2. Construction of giant artificial reservoirs

Giant reservoirs need to be built in India so that monsoon water can be stored for agriculture or the lean season. It was advised to build these reservoirs in India as the country has some mountain leading sites that can prove to be hosting dams with reservoirs, unlike Bangladesh. If these reservoirs proved to be effective enough then an ample amount of water can be provided to Bangladesh with the help of these giant reservoirs during the dry season. Thus, with these reservoirs the major concern of Bangladesh will be solved.

3. Water from other rivers can also be shared

West Bengal’s CM gave an alternative solution to this prevailing dispute by suggesting that water of other rivers like the Dharla, Mansai, and Torsa rivers can also be shared as these rivers particularly the Torsa river has connectivity with the Padma river. She further suggested that both the countries should set up a commission to find out the level of water flowing through the Torsa River and then they can decide about the quantum of water which could be shared between both the countries.[9] West Bengal’s Government considered this as the most practical solution as the Torsa river will be helpful in solving the irrigation problem in Bangladesh.

CONCLUSION

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that a lot of cooperation and management skills are needed from both sides of the country to resolve this dispute. Someone has to bow down in front of the other. It is also necessary to bring West Bengal Government on the same page so that the federal relationship between the Central Government and West Bengal's Government is not hampered. Moreover, if the dispute of this Teesta river is resolved in the upcoming years then it will primarily help in building a strong relationship between the two countries i.e Bangladesh and India, and will further help in deciding India's claim to be an emerging leader in South – Asia.

[1] https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/india-must-settle-the-teesta-river-dispute-with-bangladesh-for-lasting-gains/ [2] https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/teesta-has-no-water-share-1388524 [3] Ibid [4] Ibid. [5] https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20110919-teesta-water-sharing-talks-put-off-mamata-banerjee-manmohan-747561-2011-09-10 [6] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/teesta-issue-will-take-mamata-banerjee-on-board-says-sushma-swaraj/articleshow/59004670.cms?from=mdr [7] https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/china-twist-in-teesta-river-project-challenge-6563398/ [8] Ibid. [9] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/teesta-a-far-cry-mamata-banerjee-offers-torsa-water-sharing/articleshow/58090819.cms

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