Enhance skills before survey on Tipai dam
Suggest speakers
Participants at a discussion, “Apprehension on Tipaimukh dam”, organised by the Bangla daily Prothom Alo at its office in the city yesterday. Photo: Prothom Alo
Speakers yesterday emphasised enhancing technical knowledge and intellectual capability of government officials and experts before conducting the Bangladesh-India joint survey on Tipaimukh dam. Terming the issue 'mystifying', they also stressed the need for more intellectual engagement rather than political motivation in the debate on Tipaimukh dam to get proper information. A panel of discussants comprising eminent personalities, experts and bureaucrats made these remarks at a roundtable styled 'Apprehension on Tipaimukh dam' organised by Bangla daily Prothom Alo at its office in the city. Some of the speakers debated with each other while presenting data on rainfall, availability of water, Indian dams and affect of dams on people and their livelihood in Bangladesh, citing different sources. Speaking as the chief guest, prime minister's foreign affairs adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi said the civil society men should participate in more and more debate on the Tipaimukh dam issue using their knowledge, intellectual power and information. “We will have to understand the terms of references properly, otherwise we will not be able to negotiate efficiently,” he said. Protests against construction of the dam are going on not only in Bangladesh, but also in India, he said adding, “Noting will happen related to the dam until a concrete decision has been reached from both the countries.” Mir Sazzad Hossain, a member of Bangladesh-India Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), said the government is officially communicating with India to conduct the joint survey and a letter has been sent in this regard. Dr Akbar Ali Khan, former adviser to the caretaker government, suggested conducting a study to assess long-term, mid-term and short-term effects of the dam. Referring to the negative effect on bio-diversity due to construction of dam on Gomati river, he suggested raising voice against any mega project in Tipaimukh and to establish a disaster management unit under this project. Dhaka University Professor of Law Asif Nazrul said Bangladesh should strongly oppose any Indian move to construct the dam before the joint survey. Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman delivered the welcome speech while its Joint Editor Abdul Quayum moderated the roundtable. Brac University Vice-chancellor Dr Ainnun Nishat, Institute of Water & Environment Chairman M Inamul Haque and water resource engineer MA Kashem also spoke among others.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments