Staff Correspondent

Water Resources Minister Md. Shaheeduddin Chowdhury Annie has announced that an integrated, eco-friendly, and long-term master plan will be implemented for the sustainable management of the Teesta River.

Emphasizing that the lives, livelihoods, agriculture, environment, and economic interests of people in the Teesta basin will be given utmost priority, the minister assured effective steps to prevent erosion, control floods, and improve water management.

He made these remarks on Monday while addressing a seminar titled "Sustainable Management of the Teesta River" as the chief guest at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and the Department of Water Resources Engineering at BUET.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad were present at the seminar.

Minister Shaheeduddin Chowdhury noted that the Teesta River is intrinsically linked to the livelihoods of people across five northern districts. Acute water shortages during the dry season and excessive water flows during the monsoons have long caused immense suffering for communities in the Teesta basin. The upcoming project will prioritize erosion prevention, flood control, irrigation expansion, improving living standards, retaining water during dry periods, and strengthening the local economy, he stated, adding that implementation will proceed expeditiously.

Highlighting governance priorities, the minister affirmed that the government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working by prioritizing national and public interests. Addressing the Ganges Treaty, he noted that negotiations for its renewal are underway through bilateral discussions, asserting that the government will make no compromises regarding Bangladesh's rightful share of water.

Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu remarked that he has witnessed firsthand the prolonged suffering of communities along the Teesta banks, noting that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is fully committed to implementing the Teesta Master Plan to alleviate regional hardships. State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad echoed these sentiments, stating that the government is actively working to ensure the sustainable management of the Teesta basin—a long-standing demand of local residents.

Technical sessions featured keynote presentations by Prof Dr. Mashfiqus Salehin of the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) at BUET on Teesta challenges, Prof Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman of the Department of Water Resources Engineering at BUET on sustainable management options, and Dr. Md. Sarfaraj Banda, Additional Chief Engineer at the Bangladesh Water Development Board in Rangpur, on water conservation and irrigation development.

The seminar was presided over by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Khandakar Azim Uddin. Panel discussions featured prominent experts, including Joint Rivers Commission Advisor Professor Dr. Ainun Nishat, former BUET Professor Dr. Abul Fazl M. Saleh, and Bangladesh Water Development Board Director General Md. Ruhul Amin.