Transboundary Water Resources Paula Kulis Indus River

River System

Pakistan in

Within the British Empire Canals link regions in the basin together –23 barrages –45 canals Overarching Authority to settle disputes Modern-day Pakistan is major beneficiary of development –Historic use

Timeline Part I 1930s: British Empire begins allowing more independence in states –Conflict 1947: India and Pakistan become independent states –Pakistan has historic use –India is upper riparian –Also have conflict over Kashmir –Punjab –Interim Agreement

Timeline Part II 1948: India cuts off flow to Pakistan through 2 canals –Crops fail –Tension on resumption of flow 1951: World Bank steps in –Negotiations take almost 10 years

1960: Indus Waters Treaty Pakistan wants separation of water supplies India has control over the eastern rivers –Ravi, Sutlej, Beas Pakistan has control over the western rivers –Indus, Chenab, Jhelum

1960: Indus Waters Treaty WB helps fund projects in Pakistan to compensate water loss (IBP) –Tarbela and Mangla Dams Tarbela was the largest earth-filled dam at the time 10 year transition period Commission to meet every year

maps/map_tarbela_bw.htm

Benefits for Pakistan More waterMore water Flood attenuation More agricultural land Hydropower More independence from India

Problems With the IBP Water logging –Water table up to 1 m below surface in some places Salinity Sedimentation –Impacts hydropower Resettlement Environment

Problems with the Treaty Old treaty –population has changed water needs –India is depleting aquifers –Urbanization has increased municipal demands Left India as the upper Riparian to Pakistan Total separation of water resources –(is this really a “problem”?)

Recent Developments India is planning the Baglihar Hydropower Project on the Chenab River –Pakistan claims a violation of the Treaty –WB stepping in again –Other previous development projects India has stopped attending annual Commission meetings Kashmir

Questions! Do you think that the treaty is a sustainable one, or is it out-dated? What important lessons can be learned from the Tarbela Dam project? Would it be beneficial for Pakistan and India to integrate their water systems? Is it possible without conflict?