Assam villages depend on Bhutan for water even years after Independence

Even after seven decades of Independence, People living along the India-Bhutan border are still dependent on Bhutan for their water requirement. People are now demanding a bilateral water treaty so that the coordial relationships between the two countries continue.

Baksa (Assam): People living along the India-Bhutan border are still dependent on Bhutan for their water requirement even after more than 70 years of Independence.

People living in Assam's Baksa, Chirang and Udalguri districts, who are dependent on Bhutan for water, are now demanding a bilateral water treaty so that the coordial relationships between the two countries continue.

Over 1.5 lakh farmers living in the villages along the India-Bhutan border in these districts are solely dependent on the water from Bhutan's rivers since years.

There is a traditional system called 'Dong' through which the locals dig canals and flow the water from rivers in Bhutan to the paddy fields and ponds in their backyard to be stored for future.

While the locals held a protest on June 22 alleging that authorities in neighbouring countries have diverted the flow of water coming downstream.

Although, the Assam government as well as the Bhutan government had denied any such developments and termed it as "deliberate attempt" by vested interests to cause misunderstanding with India.

Read: Assam: Brahmaputra river's water continues to rise, crosses warning level in Guwahati

Assam chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna also issued a statement saying that the flow of water from Bhutan to the downstream areas in Assam got affected due to some natural blockage.

"The Bhutan government, due to lockdown, had not allowed the people in bordering areas to enter the territory where the source of water is located. These are earthen canals and need frequent repairing during the rainy season. So, we feel that government of India should take it up at diplomatic level so that the flow of water is not affected and the farmers can use the water," said Dharmanarayan Das, former Member of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), which runs the administration in the four districts of BTAD.

Anjan Goswmi, a local activist, said that the villagers in these districts are dependent on Bhutan rivers and they have to suffer a lot during summer as water flow decreases.

Read: Assam floods: Over 2.5 lakh affected, 50% Kaziranga inundated

"If there is a bilateral water treaty with the Bhutan government and the proper water flow is ensured, it will solve the problems of these villagers," he added.

It is to be noted that India and Bhutan have been sharing coordial relationship since centuries.

The former Congress-led UPA government as well as the current NDA government had been encouraging and financially assisting the Himalayan nation to harness its hydro-power potential.

However, the developments between the two countries are far from impacting the lives of these people positively.