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The rift may be threatening South Asia’s peace This article discusses the institutional mechanism established by the treaty
Water is Nature’s most blessed and a great gift. But it is crucial to acknowledge that our existing water woes are being compounded due to wastage, inefficient use and contamination.
While it is the main and cheapest source of producing electricity, water remains a bone of contention between Pakistan and India since independence. And the conflict may be threatening South Asia’s peace.
The Indus Basin Treaty was signed between the two countries back in 1960 under the World Bank for the resolution of this long-standing dispute. But, unfortunately, the treaty could not prove fruitful. To quote World Bank Vice President Ismail Seragedin: ‘The next-century war will be fought over water, not over oil.’
Furthermore, the need to build dams to store extra water emerged as the strongest phenomenon to avert massive floods. India and Pakistan are part of the Himalayan range which is receding due to the climate change.
Indus Basin Treaty, 1960:
Under the treaty, India got an absolute control over three eastern rivers: the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi. However, Pakistan got control over the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum rivers. Furthermore, Pakistan allowed India to use water for run-of-river projects provided the inflow at the Marala Head should not fall below 55,000 cusecs.
The Indus Basin Irrigation System that irrigated some 37 million acres of land was conceived originally as a unified system and considered one of the most extensive and highly developed irrigation systems in the world. It was divided between India and Pakistan without regard to the irrigation boundaries. This resulted in the creation of the international water dispute in April 1948 when India cut off the flow of water in canals that crossed the Pakistan-India boundary.
No doubt, the Indus is Pakistan’s primary freshwater source on which 90 per cent agriculture depends. Pakistani agriculture and water experts believe that the nation is heading towards a massive water shortage in the next couple of years due to insufficient water management practices and storage capacity, which will be exacerbated by the twin Indian hydroelectric projects because they will further diminish the Indus’ flow.
The Indian breach:
The Indian breach of the Indus Basin Treaty means the country is bent upon pursuing its most-cherished ambition as it plans to enhance the hydel capacity by 50,000 MW by 2050. India is building big dams like Kishanganga, Uri I (240 MW), Uri II (240 MW) and Nathpa Dam (1650 MW) on the River Jhelum, Sawalkot (1200 MW) and Pakdul (1000 MW) on the River Chenab.
Climate change and adverse effect:
Pakistan is the least contributor of carbon in atmosphere but is severely affected by climate change. Pakistan contributes just 0.01 per cent of the total emitted carbon on the earth, which is causing global warming. In 2010, the people of Pakistan faced a horrible flood which did a colossal loss to human life and properties and resulted in total devastation.
One fifth of the country became inundated as around 20 million people were badly affected and some 2,000 were reported killed. This huge surge in water was due to receding cliffs and glaciers. So the climate change is responsible for the massive devastation. If large dams are built in Pakistan, the risk of such a formidable calamity may be minimised if not totally averted.
India is one of the major contributors of carbon emission in the earth’s atmosphere. In the face of a large surge of water in rivers, it might have affected it more as compared to Pakistan. Yet there is a great probability of such a happening. The receding glaciers force India to build big dams for water storage.
The Medakheda Dam:
India has completed the Medakheda Dam on the River Indus. It is also noticed that according to the provision of the Indus Water Treaty, the level of water at Marala should not be below 55,000 cusecs. However, after the building of these dams the flow of water remained at 20,000 cusecs. Furthermore, India did not inform Pakistan about the building of dams, which is a clear breach of the treaty. When Pakistan came to know about these dams, India had already accomplished 70 per cent of work.
Ramification of the row:
After diverting a large amount of water India is trying to make the Pakistan land barren. It is leaving huge implications on the country’s farming. The per capita utility of water is squeezing day by day. Thus, if India is not dealt with sternly it might result in an unimaginable loss to the agricultural produce in Pakistan.
Dams on fault lines:
It is said there are dams which India is building on the fault lines. For instance, the Swalkot Dam with a capacity of 1200 MW and as high as 646ft is just 160 kilometres from Pakistan. If this project continues, it would have great impact on Pakistan and thus would result in an unthinkable catastrophe.
Pakistan has a capacity to produce 50,000MW of electricity, but if India keeps on breaching the contract and does not satisfy Pakistan, this capacity will be cut to 11,000MW. Therefore, it is high time that we do something about it.
Recommendations:
The United Nations (UN) should set up an international commission on the transnational rivers. It is need of the hour to build, devise and make international law to regulate the transnational boundary rivers. It is binding on India to stick to the treaty because accords are sacred and should, therefore, be honoured. Pakistan must try to convince India to abide by the provisions of the treaty.
Neutral experts:
Under the UN, this matter can be referred to international organizations. It would evolve further provisions to discuss the matter in detail, but while keeping in mind the provisions of the Indus Basin Treaty. The Indus Basin Treaty must be the final word for all jurists. However, the UN can be engaged to find out some way-out.
Pakistan needs to build big dams in order to come out of the present severe energy crisis. Our agricultural lands will become barren in the absence of sufficient amount of water which is a must to meet our requirements and, of course, for survival. Therefore, India must honour the treaties as pacts are sacred.
