The Farakka Barrage

It's about the Farakka Barrage and the present condition of Bangladesh

1. Presentation on FARAKKA BARRAGE Complied By: TASNIM TABASSSUM(2015-1-70-065) ABIR SUR (2015-1-70-071)

2. Background on the Ganges River and Surrounding Area The Ganges/ Brahmaputra system has the third largest discharge and largest sediment load in the world, 1,086,000 ft³/s and 1.84 billion tons a year respectively .

3. Map of the Ganges’ Basin

4. Background on the Ganges River and Surrounding Area The Ganges runs 2,500 miles with a basin of 9,243 miles² shared between India, Bangladesh, Nepal and China. In 2003 the basin was home to 405 million people, 346 in India, 19 in Nepal, 40 in Bangladesh.

5. Map of the Ganges River and Tributaries

6. Brahmaputra and Ganges Rivers: Discharge Hydrographs, 1981

7. Brahmaputra and Ganges Rivers The source of the Ganges’ lies in the Himalayas It is fed mainly by glacial melt from April to June Flow is severely seasonal Heaviest flows occur during monsoon months, June to October, which bring 85% of all rainfall to the area.

8. Brahmaputra and Ganges Rivers Droughts are common in the dry season when the Ganges’ flow into Bangladesh is only 55,000 ft³/s Water is desperately needed in the dry season for crop irrigation Bangladesh experiences widespread flooding during the monsoon season

9. The Farakka Barrage In 1951 India announced intentions build a Barrage across the Gangues 10km from the Bangladesh border. The Barrage diverts water into the Baghirathi -Hooghly River to flush out silt and increase navigation accessibility to Calcutta.

10. The Farakka Barrage The Barrage was commissioned in April 1975. This Barrage gave India control over Ganges flows into Bangladesh during the dry season. In the spring of 1975 India withdrew 40,000 of the 55,000 ft³/s of water from the Ganges. There were disastrous consequences on Bangladesh.

11. The Farakka Barrage

12. Purpose The purpose of the barrage is to divert 1,100 cubic meters per second (40,000 cu ft/s) of water from the Ganges to the Hooghly River for flushing out the sediment deposition from the Kolkata harbour without the need of regular mechanical dredging. After commissioning the project, it was found that the diverted water flow from the Farakka barrage was not adequate to flush the sediment from the river satisfactorily. In addition, there are regular land/bank collapses in to the Ganga river due to the high level back waters of the Farakka barrage.

13. Farakka Barrage Project – Main Objectives To divert adequate quantity of Ganga waters to Bhagirathi - Hoogly river system though 38 km long feeder canal for preservation and maintenance of Kolkata Port by improving the regime and navigability of the Bhagirathi - Hoogly river system. The increased upland supply from Ganga at Farakka into Bhagirathi reduces salinity and ensures sweet water supply to Kolkata and surrounding areas. The rail-cum-road bridge built over Farakka Barrage across the river Ganga at Farakka establishes direct road and rail communication link to the North-Eastern States with rest of the country. The Bhagirathi, the Feeder Canal and the Navigation Lock at Farakka form part of the Haldia -Allahabad Inland Waterway (National Waterway No:1).

14. Activities of Farakka Barrage Project Operation & Maintenance: A 2245 metre long Barrage across river Ganga , with 109 bays and a Head Regulator with 11 bays  A 213 metre long Barrage across river Bhagirathi at Jangipur with 15 bays  38.38 km long Feeder Canal with carrying capacity of 1133 cumec (40,000 cusec)  Navigation locks at Farakka and Jangipur   Kalindri Regulator, Lock and other infrastructures

15. Activities of Farakka Barrage Project Left Afflux Bund of Farakka Barrage - 33.79 km in length, Right Afflux Bund of Farakka Barrage - 7 km in length and afflux bund of Jangipur Barrage – 16.31 km in length Two rail-cum-road bridges and two road bridges across the Feeder Canal A number of Regulators at different locations situated in Murshidabad and Malda Districts of West Bengal   Bagmari Syphon at RD 48.00 of Feeder Canal

16. Ongoing Activities of Farakka Barrage Project FBP has taken action for replacement of distressed gates in phased manner considering working limitations viz. access to installation site through piers only, double line busy railway corridor, stretch of NH-34 over barrage and working in a limited space in flowing water conditions. Works of replacement of 6 old gates were taken up during 2012-13 and the work has been completed. Strengthening of 7 old gates was taken up during 2013-14 and the work has been completed except painting of gates. During 2013-14, replacements of 33 old gates were also taken up. Out of these 33 gates, 15 gates have been replaced by new gates during 2014-15 and another 5 gates have been fabricated and are ready for erection at site.

17. Ongoing Activities of Farakka Barrage Project Servicing and maintenance of other hydro mechanical components, hoists, central drive unit etc. has also been taken up during 2014-15 and is in advance stage of completion. 2 sets of stop-log gates have also been procured during 2014-15 to meet out any exigency. Action for administrative approval of competent authority for replacement of remaining gates in a phased manner is also being taken up.

18. Negotiations Between India and Bangladesh India and Bangladesh were unable to reach a water agreement 1975. In 1976 Bangladesh failed to involve the United Nations. In 1977 a five year water sharing treaty was reached. This treaty gave Bangladesh 80% of Ganges flow during the dry season. This was followed by two memorandums of understanding lasting through 1988, these did not include a minimum flow into Bangladesh.

19. Negotiations Between India and Bangladesh No further agreements were reached from 1988-1996. India withdrew 40-45,000 ft³/s from the Gangues every dry season of this period. In 1996 the two countries reached a 30 year treaty. This treaty dictates that Bangladesh receive a minimum flow of 35,000 ft³/s from January to May. The relationship created by the 1996 treaty resulted in further agreements between India and Bangladesh.

20. Areas dependent upon Ganges Flow according to (a) the Government of India and (b) the Government of Bangladesh.

21. Consequences of the Barrage On India Little silt was flushed from the Baghirathi -Hooghly River. Calcutta has declined as a port city.

22. Consequences On Bangladesh Increased salinity of soil and water Decline of soil quality and crop yields Shrinking fish population Decline of fishing villages and loss of a livelihoods Decline of mangrove forest

23. Consequences On Bangladesh Increased erosion rates and sedimentation. Increased salt water intrusion. More sever flooding during the monsoon season. Direct damages are estimated to be three billion US dollars.

24. Flooding in Bangladesh

25. Political history of Farakka Barrage and its effects on environment in Bangladesh Ecological issues in Indo‑Bengal politics in the pre‑Bangladesh period Hydrological regime for modernizing program of the nation # Our position as regards food production has been dangerously affected due to the major paddy-growing areas being made over to Eastern Bengal. In short, as a result of partition there is now the sad legacy of less food but more to be fed.

26. Didi’s Perpetual Oblivion

27. Didi’s Perpetual Oblivion Centre orders probe into Farakka sluice gates collapse Didi again writes to PM, seeking Farakka Barrage gates’ replacement Farakka Barrage row: Mamata writes to Manmohan Farakka officials junk Didi theory

28. Farakka Barrage: the tale of two countries and one river Our rivers should nurture our relationship, not become a source of discord. Water sharing is, above all, a human issue. It affects life and livelihood on both sides of the border.

29. Farakka Barrage lock-gate collapses Farakka /Kolkata: A damaged lock-gate of the Farakka Barrage across the Ganges river near the Indo- Bangla border has been washed away following which authorities have diverted excess water to a feeder canal and towards Bangladesh. "Gate number 49 has been washed away. It was already damaged and officials were about to replace it when it collapsed last evening," Murshidabad District Magistrate Y RatnakarRao told PTI. He said the a new gate has already arrived and would be put up soon.The DM claimed that there would be no change in the water level of the river due to the collapse. "I have been informed by the project manager that there is no change in the water level. They are diverting half of the excess water to the feeder canal and the rest to Bangladesh side," Rao said

30. Indian River Linking Project India’s river diversion plan: Its impact on Bangladesh Withdrawal of water thru’’ Farakka affects economy: Siraj India to build water grid to divert rivers waters: Inviting disaster for Bangladesh

31. Impact of Farakka Barrage and Water Diversion Through Feeder Canal Impact on stream energy. Impact on River Channel or Interception of the flow channel/ changed from straight to sinuosity. Impact on River Discharge Impact on Sedimentation (640 x106 metric tonnes / year). Banerjee (1999) Widening of the river and increasing length Impact on bank erosion and displacement Impact on ground water table Tendency to bypass the Farakka barrage along Kalindri-Mahananda

32. Shifting of Channel Natural Oscillation 1920 1977 1990 2005 2010

33. Post- Farakka situation: Effects at a glance Upstream Interception of the flow channel/ changed from straight to oblique Sedimentation (640 x106 metric tonnes / year) Reduction of the cross-sectional area Declining slope of the long profile Widening of the river and increasing length Increase in flood frequency and magnitude Severe bank erosion and displacement Rising ground water table Tendency to bypass the Farakka barrage along Kalindri - Mahananda

34. Post- Farakka situation: Effects at a glance Downstream land reallocation from right to left Population displacement Indo-Bangladesh border dispute Falling ground water table Communication delinkage Threat to Farakka barrage at Fazilpur point

35. Effects on Bio-diversity Impacts on biodiversity of flora and fauna were the main focus of this study, nevertheless other factors like salinity, sand hazard, under-ground water table, soil fertility, were also discussed as these factors are related to biodiversity. Changes in floral biodiversity, floral composition, crop productivity, intensity in crop cultivation, plant disease, changes on fauna diversity

36. Impacts Bahadurpur Chargolapnagar Charuppur Satragacha Hatasharipur Change in plant biodiversity 35 73 10 28 42 Plant disease 4 10 2 13 11 Change in animal biodiversity 35 73 10 28 42 Sand hazard 35 73 10 41 Reduction in underground water table 35 73 10 28 42 Salinity Total no. of respondents 35 73 10 28 42

37. Impacts Bird Population Not visible anymore: Gang shalik , Dahuk , Tiya , Badami raj hans Visible less frequently: Sharash , Mas ranga , Boro sada bok , Chakha , Bali hans , Chatak , Cha pakhi Aquatic Animals: N ot available: Dhang fish, P angus , B agar , Ghgorial Rarely visible: Chital, Aairh fish, Illish , Pial , Banspata , Pabda , Meni , Ud , Sisu

38. Farakka Barrage, the greatest ever riparian bluff for upstream water piracy

39. Economic losses due to environmental disaster aggravated with the construction of Farakka Barrage, 1976–1993 (Swain 1996) ITEMS Financial loss in million taka (1991 price index) Agriculture 37000 Fisheries 63000 Forestry 990 Industry 1150 Public health 1180 Navigation 560 Dredging 560 GK intake channel and Gorai off take channel 450 Total 113240

40. Long Term Solution India and Bangladesh should jointly approach Nepal for cooperative development and management of the Ganges basin for construction of high dams for generation of hydropower and augmentation of the dry season flow. Basin-wise development and management plan should be taken for the Brahmaputra, the Ganges and the Meghna within a time frame of 25/30 years.

41. Short Term Solution Existing 30 years agreement should be reviewed and a guarantee clause should be included. Within the concept of the development and management of the Ganges basin, there should also be an agreement on sharing of the Ganges water at Farakka for a period of 5/10 years. The sharing agreement should also be reviewed after each 3 year term. Keeping in view the future development of the Brahmaputra and the Meghna , a feasibility study of the both rivers should be carried out.

42. S olutions in brief India’s preference to negotiate water sharing bilaterally To augment water flow in the Ganges’ during the summer An artificial channel connection to the Ganges’ and Brahmaputra between Sirajganj and Veramara Accumulation and dispersal of sediment and water ensuring growth of delta Re-excavation and re-occupation of abandoned distributaries of the major rivers would re-establish already disrupted equilibrium of the hydrodynamic system due to upsteam diversion of the Ganges’

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