An integrated, environment-friendly and long-term plan will be adopted for sustainable management of the Teesta River, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said today.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Sustainable Management of the Teesta River” held at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), organised by the Ministry of Water Resources and BUET’s Department of Water Resources Engineering.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad MP attended the seminar.

The seminar was chaired by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Khandkar Azim Uddin. Professor Dr Ainun Nishat, adviser to the Joint Rivers Commission, Professor Dr Abul Fazal M Saleh, and Director General of Bangladesh Water Development Board Md Ruhul Amin took part in the panel discussion.

Professor Masfikus Saleheen of BUET’s Institute of Water and Flood Management presented a keynote paper on the challenges facing the Teesta.

Professor Dr Md Ataur Rahman of the Department of Water Resources Engineering presented sustainable management options, while Dr Moha. Sarfaraz Banda, additional chief engineer of Rangpur Water Development Board, presented water conservation and irrigation development.

Anee said effective measures would be taken to prevent river erosion, control floods and manage water, giving the highest priority to the lives and livelihoods of people in the Teesta basin, agriculture, the environment and economic interests.

He said the Teesta is linked to the lives and livelihoods of people in five northern districts. Water scarcity during the dry season and excessive water flow during the monsoon have long been causes of suffering for people in the Teesta basin, he added.

He said the project would be implemented as soon as possible, prioritising the prevention of river erosion, flood control, expansion of irrigation facilities, improvement of people’s living standards, retention of water during the dry season and strengthening the local economy.

Anee said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working by prioritising the national interest and the interests of the people.

Regarding the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, he said the process of renewing the agreement at the appropriate time is underway on the basis of bilateral discussions. “There will be no compromise on the fair share of water,” he said.

Asadul Habib Dulu said he had witnessed firsthand the anguish of people living along the Teesta for a long time. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is committed to implementing the Teesta Master Plan, he said.

He expressed hope for an acceptable solution to alleviate the suffering of people living along the Teesta as soon as possible.

Farhad Hossain Azad said the government is working to make the management of the Teesta Master Plan, a long-standing demand of the people living along the river, sustainable. A technical committee has already been formed, and opinions are being sought from domestic and foreign experts as well as stakeholders.

He said the government remains vigilant about securing a fair share of water alongside ensuring a sustainable solution for the Teesta.