Tipaimukh barrage
Photo: A.M.Ahad / Driknews
Our motherland has been turning into a desert over the years, due to the river linkage programmes of India that started off with the Farakka Barrage. We have got some international rivers in our country. Most of these rivers crisscrossed millions of acres of land in India before their arrival in Bangladesh. Both Bangladesh and India have equal rights over the waters of these rivers. But, ignoring the rights of Bangladesh, India has been constructing barrages on many river systems. In the past, India diverted water from the Padma and the Tista by constructing dams in their Indian parts. The hinterland of the two mighty rivers has turned barren for want of water. Now the Tipaimukh barrage is another death trap for Bangladesh. If India goes on with this project, the Meghna -- Surma river systems will be reduced into mere brooks. It will caste a gloomy spell over the whole Sylhet region. By affecting agicultural yield, navigability and industrial establishments downstream, the Tipaimukh barrage will pose a great threat to achieving our millennium development goals. The government must protest any unwanted and hegemonic steps by India through diplomatic channels.
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