Feni River

The Feni River is a transboundary river that flows through the Indian state of Tripura and the south-eastern region of Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Though relatively small compared to major South Asian rivers, the Feni holds significant geopolitical, economic, and environmental importance due to its location along the India–Bangladesh border and its role in regional water management and cooperation.

Geographic and Hydrological Overview

The Feni River originates in the South Tripura district of India, near the hill ranges that form part of the Lushai Hills. It flows southwards and southeastwards, marking part of the international boundary between India’s Tripura state and Bangladesh’s Chittagong Division.
Within Bangladesh, the river traverses the Feni District of the Chittagong Division, from which it derives its name. It then joins the Muhuri River and eventually enters the Bay of Bengal through an estuarine outlet near the coastal areas of Parshuram and Sonagazi. The river is about 90 kilometres long, though its exact length varies seasonally due to monsoon flooding and tidal influences.
The Feni is a rain-fed river, with peak flows occurring during the monsoon months of June to September. During the dry season, its flow is considerably reduced, which has been a major factor in water-sharing discussions between India and Bangladesh.

Historical and Political Context

The Feni River’s political relevance stems from its role as a border river between India and Bangladesh. Its basin lies in one of the most densely populated and agriculturally active regions of South Asia.
During the British colonial period, the Feni formed part of administrative boundaries within Bengal and Assam. After the partition of India in 1947, the river became an international boundary between India (Tripura) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Disputes over its use, particularly for irrigation and drinking water, emerged soon after Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
India and Bangladesh share more than fifty transboundary rivers, and the Feni has often been viewed as a test case for broader cooperation on water sharing. The river remained a subject of negotiation under the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), a bilateral body established in 1972 to manage shared water resources.

Water-sharing Agreements and Disputes

The main point of contention between India and Bangladesh regarding the Feni River has been the allocation of water during the dry season. The lower flow in winter affects agriculture and domestic water supplies in both countries, particularly in the border areas of Sabroom (Tripura, India) and Feni (Bangladesh).
After years of negotiation, the two countries reached an interim agreement in October 2019 allowing India to draw 1.82 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water from the Feni River for drinking purposes in Sabroom town. This agreement was signed during the official visit of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, marking a milestone in cooperative water diplomacy.
The decision was mutually beneficial: it addressed India’s drinking water needs while symbolising goodwill towards Bangladesh, which had long sought India’s support on other shared river issues such as the Teesta. However, the Feni arrangement remains limited in scope, and discussions on broader water-sharing and flood control mechanisms continue under the JRC framework.

Economic and Environmental Importance

The Feni River basin supports agriculture, fisheries, and local transportation in both countries. In Bangladesh, its waters are used for irrigation of paddy fields, while in India, small-scale irrigation and domestic water supply are key uses. The river’s floodplains are fertile, supporting the cultivation of rice, vegetables, and other cash crops.
The lower reaches of the river form an estuarine system that sustains rich biodiversity. However, the basin faces several challenges:

• Siltation and erosion: Heavy monsoon rainfall and deforestation in upstream areas lead to sediment accumulation and changes in river course.
• Flooding: Seasonal floods cause damage to crops and settlements, particularly in the low-lying Bangladeshi districts.
• Salinity intrusion: During the dry season, reduced river discharge allows seawater to move inland, affecting soil quality and freshwater availability.
• Pollution: Agricultural runoff and domestic waste contribute to water pollution, threatening aquatic life and human health.

Environmental experts have emphasised the need for coordinated management strategies that balance human use with ecological sustainability, especially in the context of climate change, which is expected to increase rainfall variability and sea-level rise.

Strategic and Developmental Aspects

The Feni River’s location makes it strategically significant. The town of Sabroom in southern Tripura, situated on its banks, is being developed as a key transport and trade hub linking India’s Northeast with Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal.
One of the most notable infrastructural developments is the Maitri Setu (Friendship Bridge), inaugurated in March 2021. The bridge connects Sabroom (India) with Ramgarh (Bangladesh) across the Feni River, providing the shortest route from India’s landlocked northeastern states to the Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. This project has immense economic potential for enhancing regional connectivity under the Bangladesh–Bhutan–India–Nepal (BBIN) framework.
The bridge and associated trade corridor reflect a shift from the Feni River being a source of tension to becoming a symbol of cooperation and shared development. Improved infrastructure has also opened new possibilities for tourism, cross-border commerce, and cultural exchange.

Socio-cultural and Local Dimensions

For local communities along its banks, the Feni River is more than a geopolitical feature—it is a source of livelihood, identity, and cultural expression. Folk songs, agricultural rituals, and oral traditions in both Tripura and Bangladesh often refer to the river’s seasonal rhythms. Fishing remains a major occupation, though declining water flow and overfishing have impacted yields.
Traditional irrigation systems and community-managed embankments, known locally as bundhs, reflect long-standing local adaptation to monsoon variability. Cross-border kinship and trade networks between the people of Sabroom and Feni district illustrate the historical continuity of cultural ties across political boundaries.

Contemporary Relevance and Future Outlook

In the 21st century, the Feni River continues to be central to discussions on sustainable water management and regional integration. While its small size limits its hydrological importance compared to major rivers like the Ganges or Teesta, its symbolic role in fostering India–Bangladesh cooperation is substantial.
The river’s management exemplifies how shared natural resources can be jointly utilised for mutual benefit through negotiation, technical collaboration, and local participation. Going forward, both countries aim to expand joint studies on hydrology, sedimentation, and environmental protection to prevent degradation of the Feni basin.