27-June-2024-Editorial

INDUS WATERS TREATY 

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is an agreement between India and Pakistan, signed on September 19, 1960, with the World Bank as a broker. This treaty outlines how the water from the Indus River and its tributaries is shared between the two nations. 

Key Provisions 

Water Sharing 

• Rivers Covered: The treaty involves six rivers – Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. 

Allocation: 

• Pakistan: Granted unrestricted use of the three western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. 

• India: Granted unrestricted use of the three eastern rivers – Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. 

• Distribution: 80% of the water is allocated to Pakistan and 20% to India. 

Permanent Indus Commission 

• Establishment: Both countries must set up a Permanent Indus Commission. 

• Meetings: The commission is mandated to meet annually to discuss and manage treaty-related issues. 

Dispute Resolution Mechanism 

Three-Step Process: 

• Questions: Issues can be resolved within the Permanent Commission. 

• Inter-Government Level: Unresolved issues can be taken up by the governments of both countries. 

• Neutral Expert: If still unresolved, a Neutral Expert appointed by the World Bank can be consulted. 

• Court of Arbitration: Decisions by the Neutral Expert can be appealed to a Court of Arbitration set up by the World Bank. 

Various Projects to be Inspected Under IWT 

Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai 

• Pakal Dul: A hydroelectric project on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab. 

• Lower Kalnai: Developed on the Chenab River. 

Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project 

• Location: A run-of-the-river project located in Jammu & Kashmir. 

• Objections: Pakistan argued it would affect the flow of the Kishanganga River (called Neelum River in Pakistan). 

• Ruling: In 2013, the Permanent Court of Arbitration allowed India to divert the water with certain conditions. 

Ratle Hydroelectric Project 

• Location: A run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station on the Chenab River, in Jammu & Kashmir. 

 

Indus River and Its Tributaries 

Source 

• Origin: The Indus River originates in Tibet near Mansarovar Lake in the Trans-Himalaya. 

• Path: It flows through Tibet, India, and Pakistan, supporting about 200 million people in its drainage basin. 

Course and Major Tributaries 

• Entry into India: The Indus enters India through Ladakh, then flows through Jammu and Kashmir before reaching Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. 

• Left-Bank Tributaries: Zaskar, Suru, Soan, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj, and Panjnad rivers. 

• Right-Bank Tributaries: Shyok, Gilgit, Hunza, Swat, Kunnar, Kurram, Gomal, and Kabul rivers. 

• Termination: The Indus empties into the Arabian Sea near Karachi in southern Pakistan. 

Major Tributaries  

Jhelum: 

• Source: Spring at Verinag, Kashmir Valley. 

• Joins: Chenab at Trimmu, Pakistan. 

Chenab: 

• Source: Chandra and Bhaga streams near Bara Lacha Pass. 

• Joins: Satluj after receiving Jhelum and Ravi. 

Ravi: 

• Source: Kullu hills near Rohtang Pass. 

• Joins: Chenab near Rangpur, Pakistan. 

Beas: 

• Source: Near Rohtang Pass. 

• Joins: Satluj at Harike Barrage, India. 

Satluj: 

• Source: Manasarovar-Rakas Lakes, Tibet. 

• Joins: Indus a few kilometers above Mithankot, Pakistan. 

Way Forward 

• Focus on Technical Dispute Resolution Utilize the existing framework of the treaty for resolving technical disputes. 

• Transparency and Data Sharing Both countries can share hydrological data to address mutual concerns. 

• Joint Basin Management Climate change and population growth present common challenges in the Indus basin, urging joint management for water conservation, flood control, and sustainable usage. 

• Political Commitment and Dialogue Achieving sustainable solutions necessitates both governments to prioritize dialogue and cooperation over conflict.