[{"document_url": "http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sheikh-hasina-india-visit-narendra-modi-mamata-banerjee-teesta/1/923826.html", "unformatted_src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/1.0.4/resources/images/T.png", "src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/1.0.4/resources/images/T.png"}, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sheikh-hasina-india-visit-narendra-modi-mamata-banerjee-teesta/1/923826.html", "unformatted_src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories/modi_042215023911.jpg", "src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories/modi_042215023911.jpg", "formatted_filename": "modi", "rendered_width": 30, "rendered_height": 30}, null, {"document_url": "http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sheikh-hasina-india-visit-narendra-modi-mamata-banerjee-teesta/1/923826.html", "unformatted_src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories//2017April/teesta-mos-2_040817024541.jpg", "src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories//2017April/teesta-mos-2_040817024541.jpg", "formatted_filename": "teesta mos"}, null, {"document_url": "http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sheikh-hasina-india-visit-narendra-modi-mamata-banerjee-teesta/1/923826.html", "unformatted_src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories//2017April/teesta-rafting-mos-1_040817024541.jpg", "src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories//2017April/teesta-rafting-mos-1_040817024541.jpg", "formatted_filename": "teesta rafting mos"}, null, {"document_url": "http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sheikh-hasina-india-visit-narendra-modi-mamata-banerjee-teesta/1/923826.html", "unformatted_src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories//2017April/teesta-mos_040817024541.jpg", "src": "http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories//2017April/teesta-mos_040817024541.jpg", "formatted_filename": "teesta mos"}, null]
Sheikh Hasina's India visit: Why Narendra Modi must listen to Mamata over Teesta

West Bengal Chief Minister has widely been criticised for stalling India-Bangladesh Teesta river water agreement. But, a deeper analysis of the factors suggests that while Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and PM Narendra Modi look on the same page over water-sharing agreement, Mamata still has a point. Prabhash K Dutta
A +A - As many 54 rivers flow through India into Bangladesh. Teesta is one of them. The federal governments of both India and Bangladesh seem to be on the same page over Teesta river agreement. But, there is a stumbling rock in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Mamata Banerjee is seen as a 'villain' by many in Bangladesh for holding back the Teesta river agreement. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in India hoping that the present Narendra Modi government will convince Mamata Banerjee and pay the way for Teesta agreement.

However, facts related to Teesta river should make Modi listen to Mamata Banerjee before committing to the water-sharing treaty even as many urge the Prime Minister to invoke Article 253 of the Constitution.

Article 253 gives the Centre power to sign any international or bilateral treaty without consultation of the affected state governments.


Compared to India, Bangladesh is a water-rich country for its territory-water availability ratio.

It is estimated that India has 1,907.8 billion cubic metres (BCM) water resources. Bangladesh has 1,211 BCM water resources. West Bengal has 176 BCM water as resource.

Though originating in the high Himalayas and fed by two glaciers and being a perennial river, the Teesta passes through a lean patch every year from November to April and at time till June.

Furthermore, most of Bangladesh falls under the international river basins of the Brahmaputra, the Ganga and Meghan rivers. Teesta river (Photo: @PyramidRoutes)


Besides West Bengal farmers, indigenous communities of Sikkim - particularly the Lepchas and Bhutias - are hugely dependent on the Teesta river for their livelihood.

Lepchas and Bhutias have led several protests against indiscriminate building of dams on Teesta river and proposed water-sharing treat between India and Bangladesh.

Even Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamlin has complained in the past that he was not consulted before finalising a draft agreement.


The villagers - settled both in the hills and the plains - are hugely dependent on the Teesta river. Traditionally, they pray for a regular supply of water in the river which gives them food and income by means of cultivation and fishery.

The paddy crop in the kharif season and pulses of rabi along with vegetables are heavily depended on the water availability - and thus the right to use the same by the villagers - in the Teesta.

The average annual flow of Teesta is 60 BCM. During lean season, the average flow in lower areas is just 6 BCM. West Bengal farmers feel the maximum heat. Besides supporting thousands of families, Teesta is popular among tourists for rafting. (Photo: @indiannavy)


Of the total catchment area of the Teesta, 83 per cent lies in India. The remaining only 17 percent is in Bangladesh. The catchment area in India is at 10,155 sq km compared with Bangladesh's 2004 sq km.

For a low volume river like Teesta, even a minor change in the right to use will adversely impact both the flow of the stream as well as the Indian farmers dependent on it.

Under such circumstances, Bangladesh's insistence on a 50-50 water-sharing formula does not augur well for the farmers of West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee's objection looks reasonable as what Sheikh Hasina has been asking for defies the principle of natural justice. Teesta river near Sevoke at Siliguri in West Bengal (Photo: @Traveltalez)


The Teesta agreement would lead to building more dams on the river, which flows through geographically rich but geologically volatile region.

Of its 150-km stretch in Sikkim, Teesta flows for about 45 kilometres through an earthquake-sensitive zone.

The Teesta treaty will add to the pressure to build proposed eight dams on it. The move may be detrimental for the region geologically and may invite a Latur-like earthquake.

Teesta river valley attracts large number of tourists to Sikkim, where it carves its way through deep gorges and convulsions in the pristine Himalayan beauty. Many fear that India-Bangladesh Teesta water-sharing treaty may lead to silencing the river.


Narendra Modi, Sheikh Hasina ink 22 pacts, Teesta negotiations to continue

Sheikh Hasina in India: The Teesta story as PM Modi tries to convince CM Mamata

# Mamata Banerjee# Sheikh Hasina# Narendra Modi



