(a) whether India has signed any treaty regarding sharing of water with some neighbouring countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the quantum of water likely to be available to India as a result of each such treaty?
(a) whether India has signed any treaty regarding sharing of water with some neighbouring countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the quantum of water likely to be available to India as a result of each such treaty?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(DR SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) Yes, Madam.
The Government of India have signed three treaties namely, (i) India-Bangladesh for sharing of waters of river Ganga at Farakka on 12th December 1996, (ii) India- Nepal (Mahakali Treaty) for development of water resources of Mahakali river (known as Sharda in India) on 12th February 1996 and (iii) The Indus Waters Treaty(India-Pakistan) in 1960. In addition there are agreements with Nepal on Kosi and Gandak.
(b) &(c) Brief details are at Annexure-I
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ANNEXURE-I
Annexure referred to reply to part (b) and (c) of the Unstarred question No 260 to be answered in Lok Sabha on 17.11.2016 regarding ‘Water Sharing Treaties with Neighbouring Countries’
Brief details of water sharing treaty with neighbouring countries are given below:
1) India - Bangladesh Treaty
The Treaty provides for sharing of waters of river Ganga at Farakka during lean period(1st January to 31st May),as per the following formula:
Availability at Farakka Share of India Share of Bangladesh
70,000 cusecs or less 50% 50%
70,000 cusecs-75,000 cusecs Balance of flow 35,000 cusec
75,000 cusecs or more 40,000 cusecs Balance of flow
Subject to the condition that India and Bangladesh each shall receive guaranteed 35,000 cusecs of water in alternate three 10-day periods during the period March 11 to May 10.The treaty is for 30 years and is being implemented successfully.
2) Mahakali Treaty
The Treaty provides for integrated development of Mahakali river which is guided by the principles of equality, mutual benefit and no harm to either Party. The development of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project is centrepiece of the Treaty.
It is valid for 75 years with the provision to be reviewed by both the Parties at ten (10) years interval or earlier as required by either Party and make amendments thereto, if necessary.
The sharing of water at various points is as follows.
S. No. Point Nepal’s share India’s share
1 Sharda Barrage 28.35 m3/s (1000 cusecs) in wet season (15th May to 15th October) Remaining water
4.25 m3/s (150 cusecs) in dry season (16thOctober to 14th May)
10 m3/s (350 cusecs) for maintaining ecosystem of river
2 Tanakpur Barrage 28.35 m3/s (1000 cusecs) in wet season (15thMay to 15th October Remaining water
8.50 m3/s (300 cusecs) in dry season (16thOctober to 14th May)
10 m3/s (350 cusecs) for irrigation of Dodhara-Chandani area of Nepal
3) Indus Water Treaty
India had signed the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan under the aegis of the World Bank in 1960. The main features of the Treaty are as under:
i) Under the provision of Treaty, all the waters of the three Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej with their tributaries) were allocated to India for the unrestricted use, while that of Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab with their tributaries) were allocated to Pakistan. However, India is permitted to use the waters of Western Rivers for domestic, non-consumptive, specified agricultural use and generation of hydro-electric power through Run of River (ROR) projects on the Western rivers as per criteria mentioned in the Treaty.
ii) India can build storage projects on the Western Rivers to create storages up to 3.6 Million Acre Feet (MAF) for general, power and flood protection purposes (river- wise and use- wise storages that can be created and the criteria are defined in the Treaty).