Rangpur: Local stakeholders at a views-sharing meeting have called for the commencement of the Teesta Master Plan project using the country's own funding during the interim government's tenure. They emphasized that the proposed Teesta Master Plan should be launched to preserve the livelihoods of the two crore people residing in the Teesta basin, which serves as a crucial resource for the north.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting on the proposed Teesta Mega Plan project for the integrated management and restoration of the Teesta River took place in the Deputy Commissioner's conference room. Chaired by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal, the event saw participation from representatives of the Water Development Board (WDB), Power China, leaders from the river protection movement, political figures, flood victims, and media personnel.
Power China's consultant engineer, Md Mokbul Hossain, initiated the meeting with a documentary presentation on the proposed master plan. Following this, stakeholders engaged in discussions. Notably, Power China's Country Manager Han Kun, Rangpur metropolitan BNP convener Shamsuzzaman Samu, district BNP convener Md Saiful Islam, and environment activist Faridul Islam, among others, addressed the gathering.
The stakeholders demanded inclusive dialogue with all parties affected by the Teesta situation and called for the removal of corporate entities occupying the river. They stressed the importance of freeing the Teesta from encroachment to ensure its restoration.
Chief Engineer of the Northern Rangpur Zone of the Water Development Board, Md Mahbubur Rahman, stated that all participant speeches were recorded, and suggestions were noted. These will be presented to Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan for a final project implementation plan.
Power China's Han Kun assured that the Teesta Master Plan project is commercial in nature and will not impact the geopolitical context. He highlighted the project's potential benefits for the local population and its environmental compatibility, emphasizing their intent to assist those who have lost land and property along the Teesta River.