YouthNet for Climate Justice, a network of young climate fighters in Bangladesh, has congratulated Mamata Banerjee, who is set to be sworn in as Chief Minister for the third time in a landslide victory in India’s West Bengal Assembly elections. In a congratulatory message, the initiative like green companion was hailed and a call was made for a fair share of water in the transboundary river Teesta.
In a congratulatory message signed by Sohanur, coordinator of YouthNet for Climate Justice to the West Bengal chief minister in an email on Tuesday (May 4th), he said he hoped to focus on a fair distribution of Teesta water after the third government was formed.
the letter said,”You have already mentioned that the first priority of your new government is to address the Covid-19 situation in the state, We welcome your position and appreciate your great leadership in keeping environmental protection initiatives as a green partner. Intervention is needed to prioritize the adaptation of the West Bengal government as a state most affected by a climate shock. In addition to exchanging knowledge in this regard, Bangladesh can help increase climate tolerance.
As a close neighbor, Bangladesh’s relations with India and especially with West Bengal are very important. Learning from the adverse effects of coronavirus epidemics and climate crisis, more effective work needs to be done to protect environmental protection, climate justice and tolerance in West Bengal and Bangladesh. In addition to maintaining friendly relations, we need to expand renewable energy, including hydropower, and protect the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Transboundary rivers need to be better managed. The letter said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee needed bold political commitment to take the initiative forward.
“We hope that you, as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, will reconsider your position on water sharing. Because of our geographical location we can never dream of hostile or hostile relations with each other and cannot survive without joint climate action initiatives and water cooperation! “The distribution of the Teesta water across the border is a matter of life and death and we urge you to reconsider this issue because salinity is going to kill us,” the letter said.
The letter further said, “You have won the war in West Bengal by defeating all adversities and communal forces. With that “game” over, it’s time to play a key role in achieving climate justice. If we are not united in our fight against nature, we will lose. We, both Bangladesh and West Bengal in India, are suffering from climate disasters and water crises. But we can benefit from joint river management and mutual cooperation. ”
“I am looking to Mamata’s charismatic climate leadership to safeguard the future of the younger generation,” the letter said.
