BNP organizing secretary and Teesta Nadi Rakkha Andolon chief coordinator Asadul Habib Dulu. Photo: BSS

LALMONIRHAT, Dec 02, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Central Executive Committee Organizing Secretary (Rangpur) Principal Asadul Habib Dulu, who is also the Chief Coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement, today urged the authorities to take necessary steps to protect the Teesta River, which is currently in a dire state.

“The Teesta Master Plan needs to be implemented quickly . . . Cultivated land and settlements are being lost due to frequent river erosion, and the natural biodiversity of the northern region is being endangered,” Dulu, former deputy minister, told the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) in an exclusive interview recently.

“The entire country has awakened to the Teesta Master Plan. It is not only our demand. All people have supported this movement, favouring the implementation of the plan,” he observed.

Expressing his grave concern over the issue, he categorically said that although time is passing, no tangible outcome from the government regarding the Teesta River has been seen till now.

Recalling that the Teesta River was once the lifeline of the region—when households had rice, ponds were full of fish, and cowsheds were thriving—the former BNP minister said that today nothing remains but lamentation.

“Over two crore people have been demanding a Teesta Master Plan for many years,” Dulu said, adding that due to the disruption of the river’s natural flow, there has been a water crisis, crop damage, and uncertainty of livelihood.

Replying to a query, the Chief Coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement said, “We have been working to resolve the Teesta crisis for a long time as well as creating mass awareness. Besides, many social and environmental organizations have also been working with us with the sole aim of protecting the Teesta River and safeguarding the interests of the country.”

Asked about the BNP’s plan in this regard, he said that if the party is voted to power, it will prioritize the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan, fulfilling the long-standing demand of over two crore people living in the northern region.

“BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has also expressed solidarity with this demand,” the BNP leader added.

Replying to another question, Dulu said, “During the 2001–2006 term, the Teesta River’s condition was not so dire, except for low water flow and erosion. But now the situation has worsened sharply.”

“Houses and agricultural land are being washed away for miles due to river erosion, leaving thousands of people homeless. This is why this is the right time to implement the Teesta Master Plan.”

Asked if India or any other country can create obstacles here, he said, “We hope that the international community and neighbouring countries will respect our sovereign rights.”

“The Teesta Master Plan is completely an internal matter of Bangladesh. It is possible to implement it if the government has the capacity and goodwill,” the BNP leader hoped.

“Bangladesh is in a terrible crisis due to India’s control of the Teesta flow and unilateral water management,” he said, adding that the government must work in a coordinated manner to deal with foreign complications as the main goal is to protect the Teesta River and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people of the northern region.