By Tariq Mian (updated regularly)
The Indian strategy of building dams on rivers flowing into Pakistan shows an absolute disregard for the water treaties between the two countries.
Pakistan depends on the rivers originating from India and Indian occupied Kashmir. One hundred and two projects have been launched by India to divert the water of three rivers coming to Pakistan from held Kashmir and Kargil. The said Indian projects, aimed at controlling the water of Chenab, Jhelum and Indus rivers, are illegal.
Unfairly, India managed to take control of Pakistan’s ‘lifeblood’ through annexation of Kashmir. Manipulation of water by India dates back to 1948, when India used the water weapon resulting an intervention by US President Truman.
Pakistan depends on the rivers originating from India and Indian occupied Kashmir. One hundred and two projects have been launched by India to divert the water of three rivers coming to Pakistan from held Kashmir and Kargil. The said Indian projects, aimed at controlling the water of Chenab, Jhelum and Indus rivers, are illegal.
Unfairly, India managed to take control of Pakistan’s ‘lifeblood’ through annexation of Kashmir. Manipulation of water by India dates back to 1948, when India used the water weapon resulting an intervention by US President Truman.
However, under 1960 Indus Water Treaty, India is forbidden from tampering with western rivers. As per the Treaty, three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) were given to India and three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) were given to Pakistan. Yet, last minute hurriedly amended Treaty unfairly favoured India by allowing another 1.343 million acres (2.85 MAF) irrigation from western rivers. Unfortunately, water for Pakistan was not quantified at that moment.
Presently, Pakistan’s excessive nervousness is genuine as water available for it-- has been drastically cut --from 5,000 cubic meters per capita in 1950s-- to 1000 cubic meter in 2010.
India has already seized 70 % of water from the Chenab and Jhelum rivers. As a result, over 0.9 million acres, being irrigated through the Marala Headworks, are actually presenting the look of Thar and Cholistan.
Presently, Pakistan’s excessive nervousness is genuine as water available for it-- has been drastically cut --from 5,000 cubic meters per capita in 1950s-- to 1000 cubic meter in 2010.
India has already seized 70 % of water from the Chenab and Jhelum rivers. As a result, over 0.9 million acres, being irrigated through the Marala Headworks, are actually presenting the look of Thar and Cholistan.
It is forseen that without water-- 20 million acres of fertile Pakistani land is likely to become barren.
In fact, India can devestate Pakistan just by strangulating river flows. Lower riparian Pakistan suffers a lot mainly due to the selfish attitude of upper riparian India and is constantly at the mercy of unfriendly neighbour.
Indian water manipulation/violation at the critical time of 'rabi crops' each year is highly thought provoking, as it hurts our bread and butter causing a loss of Rs 140 billion annually to Pakistan by seizing its water at the Baglihar Dam. It is feared that India would soon stop the water flow of Chenab and Jhelum rivers, turning 18 districts of the Punjab and six districts of Sindh into a desert.The scariest scenario is that India is constructing a huge storage facility over the Chenab river in Indian held Kashmir (IHK) at a cost of $120-$200 billion --to be completed by 2016.
India is also building dozens of projects on the western rivers including the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers. Nevertheless, the primary focus of Indian policy is to get ‘Power-Generation’ potential from the Chenab river to produce 4,000 MW -more or less.
Bursar Project is a storage facility in which the flow of water can be ‘regulated’ not only to the benefit of this project but all downstream projects including Baglihar, Pakal Dul, Rattle, Dul Hasti, Sawalkot and Salal Hydroelectric Projects. The site is located near village Hanzal in Doda District of J&K on river Marusudar which is one of the major right bank tributary of river Chenab. Bursar Dam (252 meter height) is intended to be used for additional power generation during lean flow months and releasing regulated flow in downstream. The height of proposed Diamer-Basha Dam is 270 meter. Another big project is Sawalkot Hydro project with a focus on components like dam and tunnel location. The project is proposed to be a run-of-river plant on river Chenab, located upstream of the already finished Salal Hydro electric Power project and downstream of Baglihar project.
Other projects include Kishenganga on Jhelum (330MW), Parnai on Jhelum (37.5MW), New Ganderbal on Jhelum (93MW), Baglihar-II on Chenab (450MW), Lower Kalnai on Chenab (50MW), Kirthai-I on Chenab (240MW), Kiru on Chenab (600MW), Kawar on Chenab (520MW), Ujh Multipurpose Project on Ravi (280MW).
The violation of IWT poses a real threat ahead as it is likely to trigger 'water wars' in the region. Although, Pakistan accurately measures the flows of water-from India-and thereby substantiate its claims, but all in vain. India on the other hand, snatches our share of water, while Pakistan behaves like a closed eyed pigeon.
Just imagine! if India gains control of western rivers of the Indus basin and shuts off Pakistan's water completely, the defence will be jeopardized because the 'canal irrigation system' also provides the best security to Pakistan against any ground military aggression.
Moreover, the disturbing factor of global warming is adversely affecting our agriculture, the current backbone of the national economy and rural livelihood. Water shortage is causing a friction among the provinces within Pakistan as well. However, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) created by the inter-provincial Water Accord of 1991-- regulates the waters among the provinces.
Beyond any doubt, there is a great deal of need for stronger cooperation to preserve and develop water resources, yet 'environment of distrust' makes it difficult to tackle the alarming situation.
As Pakistan is fast transforming into a water scarce country, a large number of water related measures including storages, conservation, improved management and most importantly an early construction of KALABAGH dam is vital to ward off major national crisis.
Better late than never, Water and Power Development Authority's recent undertaking to construct 32 small and medium sized dams to improve water availability is commendable. It is also important that Like 'International Water Day,'-- 'National Water Day' is desperately needed to educate everyone about the challenges and future strategies to deal with the crisis.
However, Indian violations by obstructing, stopping or diverting the river flows must be stopped as Pakistan’s water rights cannot be compromised.
Most of all, as the 1960 Treaty does not envision the impact of climate change; contains 'inherent defects' which are severely detrimental to Pakistan’s survival, hence there is an urgent need to revise the treaty for equitable advantage to both India and Pakistan.
Better late than never, Water and Power Development Authority's recent undertaking to construct 32 small and medium sized dams to improve water availability is commendable. It is also important that Like 'International Water Day,'-- 'National Water Day' is desperately needed to educate everyone about the challenges and future strategies to deal with the crisis.
However, Indian violations by obstructing, stopping or diverting the river flows must be stopped as Pakistan’s water rights cannot be compromised.
Most of all, as the 1960 Treaty does not envision the impact of climate change; contains 'inherent defects' which are severely detrimental to Pakistan’s survival, hence there is an urgent need to revise the treaty for equitable advantage to both India and Pakistan.
The writer is an independent analyst based in Canada
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