River bank protection
Bangladesh territorial boundaries with India are facing threats of erosion by seven transboundary rivers due to stoppage of riverbank protection work for over a year now, thanks to objections from India. In Bangladesh territory, the government made numerous efforts for 'revetment work' at 15 points on seven cross-border rivers over the last one year. But it failed to do so as the Indian authorities opposed that "revetment work" involving at least Tk 70 crore and it remained unfinished. Concrete blocks meant for protection of river erosion were pilfered frequently by local thieves, as we could not accomplish the tasks at any of the 15 points on the banks of seven rivers.
According to a source in the water resources ministry and JRC, due to Indian objections and occasional exchanges of fire between the BDR and BSF at various points, Bangladesh is now at risk of losing its bordering lands on the banks of seven out of 54 common rivers with India.
It has been said that due to lack of clarity of the critical cross-border river management issues at local levels and due to differences of opinion over exact 'Zero lines' at the porous Indo-Bangladesh border, tension prompts the border guards to go for unnecessary exchange of fire.
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