Indus Treaty: India to use excess water to irrigate own land

As per Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India is working on its rights to stop excess water flowing to Pakistan under Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 to irrigate its own lands.

Background

India and Pakistan had signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 after nine years of negotiations. World Bank was also a signatory.

Indus Water Treaty 1960

Indus water treat was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. Under the treaty, all waters of three eastern rivers viz., Ravi, Sutlej and Beas were allocated to India to use exclusively.  On the other hand, waters of Western rivers viz., Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab were allocated to Pakistan. However, India was given exception to use waters of western rivers for specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use. India has also been given right to generate hydroelectricity under run of the river projects on Western Rivers. It is subject to specific criteria for design and unrestricted operation.

Indus River System

Indus River System comprises of River Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. This basin is mainly shared by India and Pakistan. China and Afghanistan are also having small share.

The Indus

Indus is a transboundary river in Asia and a trans-Himalayan River of South & East Asia. The river flows for a distance of 3,180 km after rising in Western Tibet. It flows northwest through Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan regions of Kashmir. Then it bends sharply towards left after Nanga Parbat massif.  It flows through Pakistan before draining into Arabian Sea near Karachi.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2021