India and the Ganga Waters Treaty: Analysis of the Water Sharing Mechanism
| Published date | 01 April 2024 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/00208817241285256 |
| Author | Rahul M. Lad,Ravindra G. Jaybhaye |
| Date | 01 April 2024 |
https://doi.org/10.1177/00208817241285256
International Studies
61(2) 185 –202, 2024
© 2024 Jawaharlal Nehru University
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DOI: 10.1177/00208817241285256
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Research Article
India and the Ganga
Waters Treaty: Analysis
of the Water Sharing
Mechanism
Rahul M. Lad1 and Ravindra G. Jaybhaye1
Abstract
India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers between them. Notwithstanding, the Ganga
Waters Treaty (GWT) 1996 remains the sole water-sharing mechanism that
specially focuses on the sharing of Ganga water during lean season. According
to the GWT 1996, Farakka would be the water distribution point between the
two countries. The present study is based on 10 years of flow data (2012–2021)
of river Ganga at the point of Farakka. The flow data analysis reveals that the
sharing of water between India and Bangladesh is in accordance with the formula
laid down in the GWT 1996. The analysis further shows that India has received
less quantum of water as compared to the historical average (1949–1988) given
in the GWT 1996 for almost one-third of the 10-day intervals. The trends in
water availability significantly confirm that India, an upper riparian, has mostly
managed to ensure the required flow level at Farakka. According to the results of
the study, four-fifths of the treaty period witnessed a higher quantum of water at
Hardinge Bridge in Bangladesh as compared to the flow released at Farakka. This
indicates that despite fluctuations in flow availability, India has largely managed to
uphold the treaty mechanism.
Keywords
The Ganga Waters Treaty, water sharing, Joint River Commission, climate
change, Farakka
Introduction
The Ganga Waters Treaty (GWT) 1996 remains the sole water-sharing agreement
between India and Bangladesh despite both having 54 rivers in common (Islam
et al., 2013). Hence, the issue of water sharing has been the fulcrum of India and
1Department of Geography, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding author:
Rahul M. Lad, Department of Geography, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra
411007, India.
E-mail: ladrahul93@gmail.com
186 International Studies 61(2)
Bangladesh’s relationship for the past five decades. Before the emergence of
Bangladesh as an independent, sovereign state, India and then East Pakistan
wrangled over it for more than 20 years. But the completion of the Farakka
Barrage by India in 1975, approximately 18 km upstream from the Indo-
Bangladesh border, emerged as a conflicting issue between India and Bangladesh
(Rahman et al., 2019). The barrage is about 2,240 m long and started its operation
on 21 April 1975 (Salman & Uprety, 1999).
India contended that diverting a sufficient amount of water from the river
Ganga to the river Hooghly to maintain the navigability of Kolkata port was one
of the motives behind the construction of the Farakka Barrage (Salman & Uprety,
1999). This water diversion intention of India remains a thorny issue between
both countries so far.
The GWT 1996 has given the formula for water sharing at Farakka based on
flow availability. As per Annexure I of the treaty, the following formula for water
sharing has been given:
1. If the flow availability at Farakka is more than 75,000 cusecs, then India
shall receive a guaranteed flow of 40,000 cusecs, and the balance of the
flow shall be released to Bangladesh.
2. If the flow availability at the point of Farakka ranges between 70,000 and
75,000 cusecs, then Bangladesh has been assured of 35,000 cusecs, and
the remaining available flow shall belong to India.
3. In case the flow availability at Farakka dwindles below 70,000 cusecs,
then both countries shall receive an equal amount of water.
The above-mentioned scheme of water sharing also comprises the condition of
receiving a guaranteed flow of 35,000 cusecs in an alternate 10-day period to both
parties from 11 March to 10 May of each year. Besides, Article II (iii) contains a
provision to resolve a crisis if water availability drops below 50,000 cusecs in any
10 days. It advocates for immediate deliberations to make feasible changes, in
adherence to the principle of equitable utilization and no-harm policy.
Most of the research has remained concentrated on the assessment of the GWT
1996 from the lower riparian’s perspective. According to Hanasz (2014), the
water-sharing mechanism of the GWT 1996 favours the hydro-hegemonic state,
that is, India. Hill (2008) comprehensively analyses the ramifications of the
reduced flow of the Ganga after the construction of the Farakka Barrage.
According to the author, about one-third of Bangladesh’s population resides in the
southwestern part, which has been severely affected by the insufficient flow of
Ganga. As per the analysis of Lovelle (2016), the construction of the Farakka
Barrage is a manifestation of Indian influence and hegemony over Bangladesh.
The author has further predicted short-term conflicts between India and
Bangladesh unless alternative methods of cooperation are employed. Furthermore,
Thomas (2017) has opined that Bangladesh was deprived of its required share of
water mainly in the critical period (March 11–May 10) from 2008 to 2016.
Thus, it is essential to understand that most of the earlier works intended to
assess the functioning of the GWT 1996 have mostly constrained examining the
quantum of flow reaching Hardinge Bridge. But, according to Article I of the
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