Farakka treaty to be renewed following Ziaur Rahman's approach: Forhad

State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad today said the Farakka Treaty (formally the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty) would be renewed following the path of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman as the 30-year agreement is set to expire by the end of this year.

The state minister came up with the plan while talking to reporters at Dak Bungalow in Tetulia upazila here after inaugurating the activities of the 'Nongor River Camp' in the Mahananda River and inspecting the river area.

River and environment conservation organisation Nongor Bangladesh organized the event.

Regarding Bangladesh's share of water from transboundary rivers, the state minister said Bangladesh has 54 transboundary rivers with India and three with Myanmar.

Emphasising the importance of the Farakka Treaty, he said an initiative has been taken to renew the 30-year agreement as its term is set to expire. A technical committee is working on the matter, Forhad added.

Noting that no partisan consideration would be taken into account in reclaiming rivers and canals, he said, "Bangladesh's fair share of water in the transboundary rivers is being ensured. There will be no scope for reoccupation of rivers, canals and water bodies that have been excavated and restored in the country."

The state minister also highlighted the government initiatives to renew the Farakka Treaty with India and ensure Bangladesh's fair share of water in transboundary rivers.

Earlier, after inspecting the border area of the Mahananda River, he handed over the flag of the 'Nongor River Camp' to the organisers and inaugurated the activities of the camp.

Later, Forhad attended a discussion meeting at the conference room of the upazila parishad.

According to the Nongor's officials, its activities will be conducted successively in different districts across the country and will conclude in Teknaf.

Panchagarh Zilla Parishad Administrator MA Mojeed, Tetulia Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Akash, Panchagarh district BNP convener Jahirul Islam Kachchu and Nongor Bangladesh Central Committee President Shuman Shams and General Secretary Abdur Rahim were present, among others, on the occasion.