Why in news? During the recent state visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, PM Modi announced that a technical team would soon visit Bangladesh to discuss the conservation and management of the Teesta River.  This remark has reignited speculation about the long-pending Teesta water sharing treaty, a crucial bilateral agreement that has remained unresolved for over a decade.

What’s in today’s article?

• Teesta River
• Teesta Water Sharing Proposal

Teesta River

• About
  • It is a tributary of the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River) and it flows through India and Bangladesh.
• Origin and course
  • Teesta river originates from the Tso Lhamo Lake at an elevation of about 5,280 metres in north Sikkim.
  • After that, it flows to the south, cutting a deep gorge through the Siwalik Hills east of Darjiling (in West Bengal, India), and turns southeast to run through the Sivok Khola pass onto the plains of West Bengal.
• Countries: The Teesta River flows through two countries:
  • India: Sikkim and West Bengal
  • Bangladesh: The river enters Bangladesh in the Rangpur Division, eventually merging with the Brahmaputra River.
• The major tributaries of Teesta River
  • Left-bank Tributaries: Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Dik Chhu, Rani Khola, Rangpo Chhu.
  • Right-bank Tributaries – Zemu Chhu, Rangyong Chhu, Rangit River.
• Significance for India and Bangladesh
  • Teesta is Bangladesh’s fourth largest trans-boundary river and its floodplain covers an area of 2,750 square kilometres in Bangladesh.
  • But 83% of the river’s catchment area lies in India and the remaining 17% is in Bangladesh, supporting 8.5% of its population and 14% of its crop production.

Teesta Water Sharing Proposal

• 2011 Proposal
  • Water Distribution
    • The draft agreement proposed an equitable distribution of the Teesta River's water between India and Bangladesh.
    • As per this agreement, India was to receive 42.5% and Bangladesh 37.5% of the river's water flow during the lean season (December to March).
    • The remaining water would be managed according to seasonal variations and mutual needs.
  • Collaborative Management
    • The proposal included provisions for joint monitoring and management of the river’s water.
• Controversies Surrounding the Proposal
  • West Bengal’s Opposition
    • The chief obstacle to the treaty's finalization has been opposition from the Indian state of West Bengal.
    • The state government expressed concerns that the proposed water sharing would adversely affect West Bengal's irrigation and drinking water needs.
    • West Bengal's significant dependence on the Teesta River for its agriculture sector added to the reluctance to agree to the terms.
  • Regional Politics
    • The issue has become deeply entangled in regional politics.
    • The West Bengal government's refusal to endorse the agreement reflects broader political dynamics and sensitivities, where state interests are sometimes prioritized over national diplomatic commitments.
  • Environmental Concerns
    • Environmentalists in both countries have raised concerns about the potential ecological impacts of altering the river's flow.
    • The construction of dams and barrages as part of the management strategy could disrupt the river’s ecosystem and negatively affect biodiversity.
    • In October 2023, a glacial lake outburst triggered floods in the Teesta basin that claimed hundred lives and destroyed the Teesta III hydroelectric dam.
  • Bangladesh’s Dependence
    • Bangladesh heavily relies on the Teesta River, especially in the northern region, for agriculture and livelihood.
    • The country faces significant water shortages during the dry season, exacerbating the need for a fair and reliable water-sharing agreement.
    • The perception that Bangladesh has historically received less than its fair share of water has fueled public sentiment and political pressure to secure a favorable deal.
  • Previous Agreements and Trust Deficit
    • Historical water-sharing disputes, such as those involving the Ganges River, have led to a trust deficit between the two countries.
    • This complicates negotiations, as past experiences influence the current dialogue and expectations.
  • Other issues
    • As per experts, the dams for hydro-electric power generation in Sikkim and the Teesta Barrage Project at Gazoldoba in West Bengal is making the flow of the river erratic in Bangladesh, leading to either floods or scarcity of water.
  • China’s interference
    • In 2020, China proposed major dredging work on the Teesta River and building reservoirs and embankments.
    • However, the Bangladesh govt has put the proposal on hold for the past four years.

Why is Bengal talking about the Ganga treaty?

• The Ganga water sharing treaty with Bangladesh completes 30 years in 2026 and a renewal of the agreement is on the cards.
  • The Ganga Treaty, signed in 1996 between India and Bangladesh, ensures equitable water sharing of the Ganges River.
  • Under the treaty the water allocation during the dry season (January to May) is as follows:
    • India: Receives a minimum of 35,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water at Farakka.
    • Bangladesh: Receives a minimum of 35,000 cusecs of water at Farakka.
• The WB govt has pointed out that water sharing with Bangladesh has changed the Ganga’s morphology and affected lakhs of people in West Bengal owing to river erosion.
  • Lakhs of people have been displaced from their habitation rendering them homeless and also leading to their loss of livelihood.
  • The reduced silt load in Hooghly has impeded the nourishment of the Sundarban delta.