International Conference on India-Bangladesh Trans-boundary Rivers:
Management and Conflict over Water Resources in Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna River Basin
Date: March 21st--23rd, 2019, Venue: North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
India and Bangladesh share fifty four common rivers. These rivers create opportunities to improve the lives of millions through economic, political and socio-cultural interactions between the two countries. But, since India is an upper riparian state for all the 54 common rivers, its management of trans-boundary waters for agricultural and industrial needs are often met with disappointment from Bangladesh particularly during the dry season. Water resource allocation and sharing between the two countries has been very contentious and has plagued the relations between the two for long because Bangladesh is predominantly an agrarian economy where land and water resources play a critical role in the socio-economic life of its people. Bangladesh relies heavily on the flow of three major rivers: the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna commonly referred to as Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna River Basin (GBM) and their numerous tributaries and distributaries to meet its water demands primarily for agricultural productions and secondarily for industrial productions.
One of the key challenges between India and Bangladesh is that of allocating shared water resources and their benefits equitably and cooperatively.The management, allocation, and sharing of trans-boundary rivers are issues of differences between the two countries. India’s construction of the Farakka Barrage and Teesta Barrage has been a source of conflict. India and Bangladesh have signed The Ganges Water Treaty on 12thDecember 1996 to determine the Ganges water-sharing arrangements between them, yet it has been pointed out that there is a stronger need for some water agreement to sustain a co-operative bilateral relationship and joint efforts to sustainably utilize and share common water resources. The absence ofsuch frameworks, in future, could lead to complex water-sharing conflicts in future and may have negative socio-economic and political implications for the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Further the importance of such water cooperation in theGanga-Brahmaputra-Meghna River Basincannot be underestimated asIndia and Bangladesh both require an integrated approach to trans-boundary water resource management based on legal and institutional frameworks and shared benefits and costs for both the countries, in order to be able to effectively deal with the impacts of climate change besides the demands of their growing population and sustained economic growth.
Objectives of the International Seminar:The proposed international conference is aimed at discussing the key issues pertaining to trans-boundary water-related problems between India and Bangladesh and, explores opportunities for better understanding, management and share of water resources between the two countries.
Major Sub-themes:
·India, Bangladesh Trans-boundary Rivers and the Ganga-Brahmaputra- Meghna River Basin
·Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna River Basin: Management of Trans-boundary waters and Sustainable Use
·Trans-boundary Rivers and the Cultural Link between the two countries
·India, Bangladesh Relations : Trade and Connectivity Issues
Invited Participants: Scholars, academicians, and researchers from the universities, think tanks and policymakers from across India, Bangladesh and abroad will participate and present papers on the various sub themes in this the three days conference.
Outcome:The outcome of the conference is expected to contribute towards the formulation of appropriate policy guidelines for better management and share of trans-boundary river waters between the two countries as the recommendations of the conference will be presented to both the Governments of India and Bangladesh and other relevant international organizations.
CALL FOR PAPERS: Interested participants are requested to send their abstracts of their proposed presentations not exceeding 300 words by e-mail: <nehuintconfonIndiaBangladesh@gmail.com>to the seminar convener,Dr Biswajit Mohapatra,Associate Professor, Politics and International Relations,Dept of Political Science, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong,India
FORMAT OF THE SEMINAR: The program for the seminar will consist of paper presentations, panel discussions and keynote presentations. After the seminar, the papers selected by the expert committee will be published in the form of an Edited Book from reputed International publisher.
VENUE OF THE INT SEMINAR: Department of Political Science, North-Eastern Hill University,Umshing Mawkynroh, Mawlai,Shillong 793022, India
IMPORTANT DATES:
Last date for Submission of Abstract: 26th February 2019
Communication of Acceptance of Abstract: 1stMarch 2019
Submission of Full Paper: 15thMarch 2019
HOW TO REACH THE UNIVERSITY:
The University campus is located in Shillong at a distance of about 100 kilometers from Guwahati. Itis very easy to reach from the nearest airport in Guwahati. It normally takes around 3 to 4 hours' drive to reach Shillong from the Guwahati airport/Railway Station. Taxis can be hired from the airport/ rail station to Shillong.
Contact Info:
Seminar Convener:
Dr Biswajit Mohapatra
Asso Prof, Dept of Political Science
North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022
Contact Email: