Dhaka wants Delhi's help

Bangladesh has sought cooperation from India to construct the Ganges Barrage on the Padma river, said Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud yesterday.

However, Dhaka is yet to receive any reply from India in this regard, the minister added, while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop on impact of climate exchange.

The Ganges flows through both Bangladesh and India. So, the project would not be successful without India's cooperation, Anisul said, emphasising regional cooperation regarding the basin-wise management of international rivers. 

Speaking about the project's benefits, the minister said it would not only reduce the salinity level in the country's southwest region but also increase fish and agricultural and maintain ecological balance.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a meeting with outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran also stressed developing the project under a joint venture of the two countries.

The European Union delegation, Brac and Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) of Brac University organised the workshop titled "Growth and Climate Change: Opportunities and Challenges in Bangladesh" at a hotel in the capital with Dr Ainun Nishat in the chair.

EU Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon said the Paris conference would be a historic conference to accelerate the shift to a low-carbon, climate-resilient global economy.