Bangladesh’s water reform drive faces a critical test amid Teesta pressures and political transition

Bangladesh’s new BNP-led government expands water governance reforms, targeting erosion, dry-season scarcity and transboundary river disputes, as experts warn sustained financing and political commitment are crucial for long-term resilience.

Bangladesh has launched a wide-ranging programme to strengthen water governance, protect wetlands and improve resilience to climate change as communities across the country face increasing pressure from floods, erosion and declining river flow.

With more than 400 rivers, including the Brahmaputra River, Ganges River and Teesta River, millions of people depend on waterways for agriculture, fisheries and daily life. However, erratic rainfall, upstream dynamics and sedimentation are increasingly disrupting river systems, raising concerns over long-term water security.

The new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has pledged a nonpartisan approach to water management during the country’s ongoing political transition. Analysts say the success of the reforms will depend on sustained political commitment, financing and effective coordination among institutions.

Experts warn that although reforms and emergency interventions have brought some progress, long-term challenges remain. Large river management projects require substantial investment while negotiations over shared rivers with neighbouring countries remain complex.

Climate change is adding further pressure. Reduced river flow during dry seasons is affecting irrigation, fisheries and biodiversity while repeated flooding and erosion continue to displace riverbank communities. Observers say that without consistent attention short-term gains could be lost.

Emergency measures bring temporary relief
Many of the reforms were introduced under the interim government, including new legal and institutional steps to improve water governance. A key measure is the Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Conservation Ordinance 2026 aimed at protecting freshwater wetlands that play an important role in biodiversity conservation, flood control and agriculture, particularly in northeastern Bangladesh.

Authorities are now able to map wetlands, establish protected zones and penalise activities that threaten ecological balance.

The government has also introduced a dredging policy designed to balance river excavation with environmental protection and imposed stricter regulation on industrial water use to curb excessive groundwater extraction. Bangladesh has also joined the UN Water Convention to strengthen its ability to negotiate fair water sharing with India, Nepal, Bhutan and China.

International cooperation has also expanded. Flood and cyclone forecasting is being improved through collaboration with the UK Met Office while river restoration and basin planning are receiving technical support from the Changjiang Water Resources Commission.

Officials say authorities have recovered encroached river land, strengthened oversight of water institutions and compiled verified records of more than 1,400 rivers across the country. The Metro Dhaka Water Security and Resilience Program supported by the World Bank is rehabilitating canals and rivers to reduce urban flooding.

Large-scale proposals such as the Padma Barrage and the Teesta Master Plan remain central to long-term debates on water security.

Much of the recent momentum was driven by the interim government’s water resources adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Emergency interventions along the Teesta including the use of geo bags by the Bangladesh Water Development Board helped stabilise riverbanks and reduce erosion risks.

In February last year Rizwana Hasan allocated about Tk 2.43 billion to protect a 45 kilometre stretch of the Teesta. Work began quickly on the most vulnerable 20 kilometres where riverbank collapse threatened farmland, homes and infrastructure. Observers noted that the rapid response contrasted with delays seen in previous years.

Despite these measures the Teesta Master Plan has yet to be fully implemented according to Professor Tuhin Wadud of Begum Rokeya University. He said the Teesta historically received less policy attention compared with other major rivers leaving nearby communities exposed.

Meanwhile Syeda Rizwana Hasan confirmed that implementation of the Teesta Master Plan is scheduled to begin in January 2026. The project estimated at Tk 12,000 crore will receive Tk 6,700 crore in loan assistance from China. Critics however note that the plan was not initiated during her tenure.

Thousands of residents are forced to relocate every year due to riverbank collapse and experts say sustained management and long-term planning are essential to prevent recurring displacement. Authorities hope the initiative will help restore the river’s navigability and ensure sustainable water management for the northern region.

Dry rivers threaten livelihoods in Kurigram
In Kurigram District a northern border district several major rivers including the Brahmaputra, Dharla, Teesta and Dudhkumar shape the lives of local communities. The district also contains more than 200 canals and wetlands.

Traditionally rivers supplied water for irrigation, fisheries and domestic use particularly during the monsoon months from June to October. However residents say prolonged dry seasons now leave many rivers nearly dry forcing farmers to rely on deep tube wells.

“Large-scale erosion control of this scope had rarely been undertaken historically,” said Abdur Rahman, a resident of Mogolbasa Union in Kurigram. “Even 15 to 20 years ago the Dharla River maintained flow during dry seasons. Now the riverbed is narrow, water flow is minimal and fish are scarce. This water is crucial for farming but we cannot use it anymore.”

Farmers say the shift to deep tube wells has increased production costs. Mokhsen Ali from Holokhana Union said irrigation has become more difficult as rivers dry up.

“If rivers had maintained their flow irrigation would have been cheaper and easier. Now we depend on tube wells which adds cost and effort,” he said.

Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy director of the district Agricultural Extension Department, said farmers previously used river water through pipelines. Now rivers run dry soon after the monsoon forcing communities in char areas to rely entirely on tube wells.

Local farmer Jobed Ali added that shallow riverbeds are making it difficult to use irrigation machines increasing costs and reducing productivity.

Communities warn that without swift action the impact could extend beyond agriculture. Wetlands and fisheries may degrade, biodiversity could decline and repeated water shortages could force more people to leave riverine areas.

On Char YouthNet Island a shifting river sandbar in Kurigram residents are helping protect riverbanks with geo bags.

“Thirty thousand geo bags have made a huge difference. That was guided by Syeda Rizwana Hasan and implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board,” said Johurul Islam, 33, who said he had lost his home more than 10 times before settling there. “For the first time I feel a little confident about the future,” he added.

Teesta communities hopeful after parliament election
Residents along the Teesta say they are hopeful after river protection campaigner Asadul Habib Dulu was elected Member of Parliament from Lalmonirhat-3 and appointed Minister for Disaster Management and Relief.

Farmers say the Teesta Master Plan was a key issue during his campaign.

“If the Teesta survives the people along its banks will survive. Agriculture, farmers, the environment and biodiversity all depend on it,” said Akkas Ali from Char Rajpur.

Dulu said the project would receive priority under the BNP-led government.

“The people of the Teesta basin elected me with hope. I intend to deliver tangible results for communities affected by erosion, floods and water scarcity,” he said.

Water governance experts say policy alone will not be enough. Ainun Nishat said effective implementation, financing and coordination will determine whether reforms lead to real improvements for communities facing climate risks.

He urged the government to prioritise the Ganges Barrage Project to address salinity in the southwest and maximise water-sharing benefits while also emphasising the importance of renewing the Ganges water-sharing treaty with India.

The first agreement with India was signed in 1977 during the rule of Ziaur Rahman followed by the 30 year pact in 1996. The treaty is set to expire on 12 December 2026 leaving limited time for negotiations on a new agreement.

Bangladesh is crossed by 57 transboundary rivers and faces frequent floods, salinity intrusion and drought. Nearly 60 percent of the population remains at high flood risk while millions still lack safely managed sanitation.

With the new BNP-led government now in office sustaining reform momentum will be a major test.

On the eve of the national parliamentary election on 6 February the Bangladesh Nationalist Party outlined a series of commitments to address Bangladesh’s growing water and environmental challenges. The party pledged to raise the country’s water concerns internationally by formally signing the 1997 UN Water Convention to help secure Bangladesh’s rights over transboundary rivers. It also promised to ensure a fair share of water from key rivers such as the Padma River and the Teesta River while advancing major infrastructure initiatives including the Teesta Mega Project and the Padma Barrage.

The manifesto further proposes excavating and re-excavating at least 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, introducing water-saving irrigation technology in 30 to 50 percent of paddy fields by 2035 and strengthening flood management through modern early warning systems, culverts and shelters in vulnerable areas. These plans are framed within the party’s Circular Future Model and its broader Bangladesh First foreign policy approach.

Experts say the background of the UN Water Convention dates back decades. The 1966 Helsinki Rules did not include specific guidelines on the use of groundwater. This issue later came under the United Nations’ attention. In 1970 the International Law Commission was tasked with preparing a comprehensive proposal on international watercourses. After the commission submitted its recommendations in 1997 the relevant UN committee drafted the convention. The United Nations General Assembly adopted it on 21 May 1997 with 106 votes in favour including support from Bangladesh.

However the convention remained inactive for many years because it required ratification by at least 35 countries to enter into force 90 days later. This threshold was finally reached on 19 May 2014 when Vietnam became the 35th country to ratify it. The UN secretary general then announced that the convention would become effective which officially happened on 17 August 2014. Experts note that Bangladesh given its dependence on transboundary rivers was expected to be highly interested in such a convention. Although the country voted in favour in 1997 ratification in the national parliament has remained pending for decades.

Officials say international cooperation and lessons from global best practices will be important. Mohammad Abu Sayed, director at the Joint Rivers Commission, said policies and strategies must ensure long-term water security for the population.

New Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee said national interest must take priority over party politics. Speaking at the Secretariat he described the water resources portfolio as a major responsibility and stressed the need for collective action to address floods, river management and cross-border water issues.

“Maintaining reform momentum across political transitions is essential for long-term water security,” said Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global. “Consistent commitment will determine whether recent gains translate into durable outcomes.”