Search

Is Indus Waters Treaty under siege?

Is Indus Waters Treaty under siege

The following article is written by Shaher Bano, a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali. Moreover, the article is written on the same pattern, taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. Sir Kazim has uploaded his students’ solved past paper questions so other thousands of aspirants can understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.

Outline

1- Introduction

  • ✓The Indus Waters Treaty is under the penumbra of siege, because India has issued a notice to Pakistan for some modification in the treaty’s provisions.

2- What is the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)?

3- What are the major reasons behind the Indus Waters Treaty’s siege?

  • ✓The sharing amount of water during droughts
  • ✓The maintenance and repair of canals
  • ✓The major differences in the construction of hydro projects

4- What measures can make the treaty out of siege?

  • ✓By managing the Indus Basin water resources
  • ✓By improving transparency through regular visits
  • ✓By promoting transboundary water management
  • ✓By updating the treaty for addressing the rising challenges
  • ✓By joining hands for cooperation and coordination for collective management

5- Critical analysis

6- Conclusion

Introduction

Treaties are indispensable to rooting out conflicts between two opposite parties. They end the threat of war and assure peace, prosperity, and stability throughout the world. Similarly, Pakistan and India, the South Asian countries, signed a treaty, namely the Indus water treaty, to end their deadlock about water distribution. However, after decades of the treaty, it seems to be under siege today.There are some divergent points that lead to the disagreement between both countries, which include the sharing amount of water during droughts, the maintenance and repair of canals, and the major differences over the construction of hydro projects. However, some sagacious measures, such as building an atmosphere of coordination between the two for the joint management of the Indus Basin water resources, improving transparency through frequent visits, promoting transboundary water management, and updating the treaty for addressing the arising challenges. And indeed, the way forwards, if implemented, can play a significant role to make the Indus Water Treaty out of siege.

What is the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)?

The IWT was signed on September 19, 1960, between the two rival states, India and Pakistan. The treaty determines rights and obligations concerning the uses of water in the Indus River system. According to the treaty, three eastern river-Basins, Ravi, and Sutlej- along with 40 billion cubic meters of water, were given under the control of India. On the other hand, three western rivers -Indus, Chenab, and Jehlum- along with 218 billion cubic meters of water were given under the control of Pakistan. From these meters of water, India was given the right to use water for domestic ends, agricultural purposes, and, more controversially, power generation grounds. Significantly, India is not allowed to alter the course of these rivers.

3-What are the major reasons behind the Indus Waters Treaty’s siege?

Here discussed some important points that became the cause of differences between India and Pakistan, which led to such an extent that this successful treaty now seems under threat.

  • The shared amount of water during droughts

The first point that becomes the bone of contentions between both countries is the different approaches over the interpretations of the treaty’s provisions. Both countries have different interpretations of the rights and obligations of sharing water resources. The main header in this regard is the amount of shared water during droughts. India claimed that the treaty did not make any type of ordaining for releasing water from reservoirs during the draught’s time. While, Pakistan argued that the IWT does demand India for releasing water, whatever the circumstances are. These widely held interpretation differences have ushered the conflict of disagreement between both countries.

  • The maintenance and repair of canals

The second divergent point is related to the repair and maintenance of canals.  While utilizing the water of western rivers, India argues that it is her right to repair and maintain its canals, because it is important for meeting irrigation purposes and the public regular water consumption that live in the areas. On the other hand, Pakistan states that India’s actions for maintenance and civil works have a critical influence on the western rivers, which results in the curtailment of water flow. Thus, it is a direct violation of the IWT. Further, keeping the same points against Indian illegal maintenance, Pakistan has also opposed the construction of Wullar Barrage because it could impact the flow of Jehlum River water.

  • The major differences in the construction of hydro projects

The third and most important disputed point is the construction of hydro projects in India over the Western rivers. The IWT allows India to generate hydropower from the waters of the Western Rivers without altering the flow of water. India has not only constructed hydropower projects but also changed the flow of water. The construction of the 330 MW Kishanganga hydropower project on the Kishanganga and the 850 MW Ratle hydropower project on the Chenab River is clear-cut evidence. Pakistan sues that it clearly constitutes a significant alternation of flow, which is a big threat to the region’s peace and security. So, these two projects become the source of conflicts that have created differences over the treaty’s provisions.

4- What measures can make the treaty out of siege?

From the date signed till today, The IWT has successfully stood the test of time and survived two full fledge wars between India and Pakistan. But, now, the treaty is under siege, which could invite a danger of conflicts between the twin states. However, the friction of conflict could be lessened by focusing on some mutual areas. First, the IWT involves managing the Indus Basin water resources as a whole, rather than focusing on building and maintaining rivers and individual projects. This wide- approach of management will not only result in optimizing the benefits for both countries but also lead to improvement and increase the water security, economic benefits, and environmental sustainability for both countries.

Second, this multi-dimensioned production is needed through communication and improved transparency. Adding to this, the translucency could be set up through regular visits and meetings by officials from both sides. In, strengthening the data sharing over water use and water flow must be prioritized.

Third, for ensuring this water data efficiency, some initiatives need to be adopted as well for promoting transboundary water management. By promoting this, it will allow the transfer of water from one Basin River to another and increase the storage capacity. Consequently, it will improve the governance and sustainable use of water, which will make the treaty more effective and reliable.

Fourth, most importantly, the treaty must be updated according to the changing weather; there must be some special clauses addressing the rising challenges of climate and demographic changes. Although so true that climate change’s extreme form is unusually heavy rain that becomes the cause of a flood. Therefore, if observed, Pakistan is a low-basin country; it has experienced excessive water in the form of high-level floods. Thus, the treaty must undergo some professional institutions with the changing demand of climate.

Last but not least, all these sagacious measures demand joining hands of cooperation and coordination from both sides by putting aside their personal interests. Both countries need joint management, which will not only help to prevent conflicts but also promote collaboration for sharing water benefits.

5- Critical analysis

Beyond any shadow of a doubt, it is clear that IWT has successfully avoided every kind of conflict raised between India and Pakistan. With the availability of water, all the other associated factors become secondary indicators. But with every passing day, it becomes more extravaganzas. Instead of that the IWT has become more improving with the passage of time, and both countries are still on the same page regarding water discord as they were seven and half decades before. Similarly, there are some other factors upon which both countries are suffering, such as food security due to extreme climate changes. Thus, now, it looks right on the need of the hour to focus on a better water management framework to cope with other emerging issues.

6-Conclusion

To conclude, the IWT plays a significant role in avoiding water-related issues between India and Pakistan. Nevertheless, India’s notice of interpretation of the treaty’s provisions has taken both countries on the same page as they were many years ago.   Both countries are still engaged in some kind of water use and transboundary-related disputes. Therefore, to solve the problem, some wide approach solutions have existed that need to be adopted to ensure peace, prosperity, and stability in the region.

CSS Solved Past Papers’ Essays

Looking for the last ten years of CSS and PMS Solved Essays and want to know how Sir Kazim’s students write and score the highest marks in the essays’ papers? Then, click on the CSS Solved Essays to start reading them.

CSS Solved Essays

CSS Solved General Science & Ability Past Papers

Want to read the last ten years’ General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Miss Iqra Ali & Dr Nishat Baloch, Pakistan’s top CSS GSA coach having the highest score of their students. 

General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers

CSS Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers

Want to read CSS Pakistan Affairs Solved Past Papers and learn how to attempt them to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers’ questions have been attempted by Sir Kazim’s students, who scored the highest in the subject.

CSS Solved Pakistan Affairs

CSS Solved International Relations’ Past Papers

Have you opted for International Relations in the CSS examination and want to score above 150? Then, click on the CSS Solved International Relations’ Past Papers by Miss Abeera Fatima, the top IR scorer and the best IR coach in Pakistan. 

CSS Solved International Relations Past Papers

Articles Might Interest You!

The following are some of the most important articles for CSS and PMS aspirants. Click on any to start reading.

List of Important Idioms for PMS Punjab
List of Important Antonyms for PMS Punjab
How To Write an Evidence in the CSS and PMS Essay Body
How Did I Prepare and Qualify for the PMS Essay and Precis Paper?
100 Must-Read Essays and Solved Past Papers Questions for CSS, PMS Aspirants
Why Do Most CSS, PMS Aspirants Fail Exams?
How Much Is English Important for CSS, PMS Aspirants?
Best CSS and PMS English Essay and Precis Teacher in Pakistan
High-Frequency Words for CSS, PMS Aspirants
CSS Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers 
CSS Solved General Science and Ability Past Papers 
CSS Solved Sentence Corrections with Explanations by Sir Kazim
Who Is The Best CSS English Essay and Precis Teacher in Pakistan?
 

 

Share Via
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Recent Posts

Cssprepforum

Education Company

Cssprepforum

cssprepforum.com

Welcome to Cssprepforum, Pakistan’s largest learning management system (LMS) with millions of questions along with their logical explanations educating millions of learners, students, aspirants, teachers, professors, and parents preparing for a successful future. 

Founder: Syed Kazim Ali
Founded: 2020
Phone: +92-332-6105-842
+92-300-6322-446
Email: howfiv@gmail.com
Students Served: 10 Million
Daily Learners: 50,000
Offered Courses: Visit Courses  

More Courses

RS 7000
Cssprepforum
All
3 Weeks
CPF

CPF

5/5
RS 15000
Extensive English Essay & Precis Course for CSS
Intermediate
4 Weeks
CPF

CPF

5/5
RS 15000
DSC_1766-1-scaled_11zon
Intermediate
2 Weeks
CPF

CPF

5/5
error: Content is protected !!