1. Ms. Reba Paul, Bangladesh Water Partnership Bangladesh Water Partnership 2.3 billion people live in river basins under ‘water stress’(<1700 cubic meters /yr/capita) and 1.7 billion people live in river basins under ‘high water stress’ (<1000 cubic meters/yr/capita). 263 internationally shared river basins. Less than 20% of internationally shared river basins have cooperative international agreement in effect. Only a handful has accords involving all basin states and the 1997 UN Convention on shared water courses has not been ratified. Most of the internationally shared river basins are in conflicts and downstream states suffer the consequences. ISSUES

2. Position of Bangladesh in the globe

3. Ganges Basin Brahmaputra Basin The Ganges, the Brahmmaputra and the Meghna River Basins -All flow over Bangladesh to the Bay of Bengal The combined flow of water in three rivers in rainy season (July-October)– 200000 cumec, Dry season (Dec-May) flow – only about 6000 cumec The Ganges is shared by India, Nepal, Bangladesh and China. The Brahmmaputra is shared by Bangladesh, India and Bhutan and the Meghna is shared by India and Bangladesh. Meghna Over 500 million people’s livelihoods are directly dependant on these rivers and its ecosystems.

4. FARAKKA BARRAGE Regulated flow in the Ganges by India at Farakka Barrage has initiated desertification in north, south and central parts of Bangladesh.

5. Ganges at Hardinge Bridge during dry season The Gorai River –the main off take of the Ganges become totally dry during dry season

6. World Heritage – The Sundarban Wildlife are under threat The dying mangrove Forest The Sundarban-the World Hertage

7. Basin wide water management following Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles that address demand side management, stakeholders’ participation, basin level analysis and transparent decision making. Conflict resolution mechanisms Regional water policies and laws. Need for hydrological database acceptable to all stakeholders is essential for any joint water resources management efforts. Many development initiatives have successfully fostered cooperation in international river basins by supporting river basin commissions and joint riparian agreements ( for example the Word Bank initiative in the Nile Basin and Mekong River Commission). To solve conflicts in the G-B-M basins, separate river basin organisations (like Ganges River Basin Organisation) should be created. International Water Law such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Water Courses (1997) and third party mediation can help cooperative development on transboundary water management. RECOMMENDATONS

8. Discussion Statement Land use and development policies in all river basins including those that are transboundary, should strive to achieve a balance between sustaining vital ecosystem services and pursuing the short term goals of economic development. How can environmental flows in rivers be secured to maintain ecosystems and extract regional benefits of natural resources through cooperative development in transboundary rivers?