Kurigram Correspondent
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has stated that the government is working on a priority basis to control erosion along the Teesta River. She shared that out of the 45 kilometers of the most erosion-prone areas of the Teesta, riverbank protection work is already underway along 19 kilometers, while funding has been secured for the remaining 26 kilometers—construction on which will begin soon. She made these remarks on Tuesday while briefing the media during her visit to the ongoing riverbank protection works near Gharialdanga Khitabkha Government Primary School in Rajarhat Upazila, Kurigram district. Advisor Hasan noted that the demand for a permanent embankment to control Teesta erosion is legitimate. However, such a project requires long-term planning and time for implementation. The present government is therefore focusing on emergency protection works in the most vulnerable areas within a short time frame. In response to questions from journalists, the Advisor affirmed that the Teesta water-sharing treaty is a rightful demand of the people of Bangladesh. The government is pursuing this treaty in accordance with international law. She also informed that five public hearings have already been held as part of the formulation of the Teesta Master Plan, with participation from both local and international experts. Feedback and recommendations from these hearings have been forwarded to the relevant ministries, and the plan will be finalized based on a consensus of expert opinions. Among those present during the visit were Md. Enayet Ullah, Director General of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Chief Engineer, Rangpur BWDB, Nusrat Sultana, Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram, Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Superintendent of Police, Kurigram, Md. Subedar Islam, Conservator of Forests, Rangpur Region, Nur Alam, Director General, Department of Environment, Md. Rakibul Islam, Executive Engineer, Kurigram BWDB Later, Advisor Rizwana Hasan visited the river protection works near Gatiasham Clinic in Rajarhat Upazila and the ongoing right-bank protection work upstream of the Panjarbhanga Railway Bridge in Kaunia Upazila, Rangpur. She also interacted with local residents during the visits.