IMP ACf OF GANGES WATER DIVERSION ON TIlE SOUTH· WEST PART OF BANGLADESH: A PERCEPTION STUDY

This article presents the findings of a perception study on the impact of the diversion of the Ganges water on the southwestern part of Bangladesh. It moves beyond purely technical assessments to explore how local communities themselves perceive and experience the environmental and socio-economic consequences of reduced river flow. The study is based on field research, including surveys and interviews with farmers, fishermen, and other local residents in the affected areas. The research documents the local perceptions of key environmental changes, such as increased river and soil salinity, the decline in fish stocks, and changes in agricultural patterns. The paper also captures the perceived socio-economic impacts, including loss of income, increased health problems, and forced migration. The analysis concludes that there is a strong and clear perception at the grassroots level that the diversion of the Ganges water at Farakka has had a devastating and multi-faceted negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people of southwestern Bangladesh.

While the macro-level environmental impacts of the Farakka Barrage are well-documented, this paper provides a valuable micro-level perspective by focusing on the perceptions of the affected populations. This study presents the results of a detailed field survey conducted in the hard-hit southwestern region of Bangladesh. The analysis begins by outlining the methodology of the perception study, which involved structured questionnaires and focus group discussions with a range of local stakeholders. The core of the paper is a presentation and analysis of the findings. It reveals a powerful and consistent perception among local communities that the reduced flow of the Ganges is the primary cause of a host of problems that have afflicted their region. The paper documents the detailed local knowledge about the increase in salinity, which farmers perceive as the main reason for declining rice yields and the disappearance of certain traditional crops. It captures the accounts of fishermen who perceive a direct link between the changed river conditions and the collapse of freshwater fish populations, a critical source of their livelihood. The study also explores the perceived links between water scarcity and a range of social problems, from increased poverty to localized conflicts over access to water. The findings demonstrate a clear convergence between scientific assessments and the lived experiences and perceptions of the local communities, underscoring the profound and widely-felt human cost of the Ganges water dispute.