The Teesta Basin: Enough water for power and agriculture for all?; HI-AWARE Working Paper 12

This working paper summarizes the situational analysis of upstream, mid-stream and downstream areas of Teesta subbasin of greater Brahmaputra basin. The situational analysis contains the condition of the people and ecosystems of the Teesta basin, including a summary of historical trends and stresses and identification of major issues that require attention through regional policies cooperation and action.

Teesta river is 414 km long with a total catchment area of 12,159 km2. Teesta basin is home to around 30 million people, 2% in Sikkim, 27% in West Bengal; and 71% in northwest Bangladesh of which 78% are rural and 22% urban. Sikkim is mountainous with very low population density, whereas West Bengal has a mix of low hills and plains, and in Bangladesh the terrain is almost flat. There are two large barrages on Teesta that diverts water for mainly irrigation purpose: one at Gajoldobha in India and the other at Duani in Bangladesh.