Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan attending a meeting at the River Research Institute in Faridpur on Monday. Photo: PID

FARIDPUR, Jan 27, 2025 (BSS) - Environment, forest and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said the interim government will take steps to ensure that dams on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh and near the Tibet border are constructed without compromising Bangladesh's interests.

“We will ensure that China and India go with their dam construction projects without compromising Bangladesh's interests”, she told journalists after attending a meeting at the River Research Institute here today.

The adviser said, “We have formally sought information from China regarding their hydropower project near Tibet. They assured us that lower riparian countries will not be adversely affected. However, we have sought further data through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”.

Rizwana said “China is constructing the world’s largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo River. We have officially requested detailed information from them. While they have assured us that the project will not harm Bangladesh’s low-lying areas, it is difficult to make any definitive statement without the necessary data”.

Regarding India’s dam construction on the Siang River, she said, “Even their own people are opposing this project. We are a downstream country, and we are already facing reduced water flow in rivers like the Teesta and the Padma”.

“If the Brahmaputra River also experiences reduced flow, it will create significant crisis for us. Just as we have asked China for information, we will request the same to India. We must ensure that both countries respect and protect our interests”, she added.

On research and development, Rizwana Hasan emphasized the need for increased funding for river studies. 

“We have advanced research facilities but insufficient funding. This year, the allocation for river research is 8.4 million BDT, which is not adequate for studying the country’s 1,176 rivers. We will work to increase this allocation in the future,” she said. 

In a separate comment, she addressed the recent clashes between Dhaka University and affiliated college students, urging all to show patience and responsibility. 

“Any form of conflict is detrimental to students and the nation. The government is investigating whether external provocations played a role. As we are on a difficult path towards democracy, we must avoid any activities that may disrupt this journey,” she added. 

The adviser was accompanied by Senior Secretary of the Shipping Ministry Mohammad Yousuf, Secretary to Water Resources Nazmul Ahsan, Director General (DG) of the River Research Institute SM Abu Huraira and DG of the Water Development Board Tahmidul Islam.

China recently approved the construction of the world's largest dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet's Medog County, near the border with India. The project, described as China's most ambitious, was officially announced in 2020.