India–Bangladesh Joint River Monitoring as Ganga Water Treaty Nears Expiry

Context:
India and Bangladesh have commenced joint water measurements on the Ganga (India) and Padma (Bangladesh) rivers as the 30-year Ganges Water Sharing Treaty (1996) enters its final year. The initiative reflects continued bilateral cooperation in transboundary water management.

Key Highlights:

• Treaty Background

• The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed in December 1996 for a duration of 30 years (1996–2026).

• It governs dry season (January–May) water sharing at the Farakka Barrage.

• Designed to ensure equitable distribution of water between India and Bangladesh.

• Ongoing Joint Measurements (2025–26)

• Measurements being conducted from January 1 to May 31.

• Monitoring locations:

  • 3,500 feet upstream of Hardinge Bridge on the Padma River (Bangladesh).

  • Farakka point on the Ganga River (India).

• Data collection to assess flow levels during lean season.

• Significance of Monitoring

• Ensures transparency and trust-building between the two nations.

• Helps verify treaty compliance and operational effectiveness.

• Assists in planning for climate variability and increasing water demand.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Ganga River:

  • Originates from the Gangotri Glacier (Uttarakhand) as Bhagirathi.

  • Enters Bangladesh as the Padma River.

• Farakka Barrage (West Bengal):

  • Commissioned in 1975.

  • Diverts water into the Hooghly River to maintain Kolkata Port.

• Hardinge Bridge:

  • Located in Bangladesh over the Padma River.

• Treaty provides a formula-based sharing arrangement during the dry season (Jan–May).

• India and Bangladesh share 54 transboundary rivers.

• Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) established in 1972 for water cooperation.

• Transboundary water governance involves principles of:

  • Equitable and reasonable utilisation

  • No significant harm (Helsinki Rules, UN Watercourses Convention principles).

Relevant Mains Points:

• GS 2 (International Relations):

  • Water diplomacy as a pillar of India–Bangladesh bilateral relations.

  • Treaty seen as a successful example of cooperative river basin management in South Asia.

  • Expiry in 2026 presents opportunity for renegotiation amid climate change realities.

• GS 1 (Geography):

  • Importance of the Ganga–Brahmaputra delta system for agriculture and ecology.

  • Impact of lean-season flows on sedimentation, salinity intrusion, and livelihoods.

• Governance & Environmental Concerns:

  • Need for adaptive water-sharing frameworks considering glacial melt and erratic monsoons.

  • Balancing upstream developmental needs with downstream ecological sustainability.

• Strategic Importance:

  • Water cooperation strengthens broader ties including trade, connectivity, and security cooperation.

• Way Forward:

• Initiate timely negotiations for post-2026 treaty framework.

• Expand cooperation to include basin-wide management approach.

• Integrate climate change projections into water allocation formulas.

• Strengthen data-sharing mechanisms and real-time hydrological monitoring.

• Promote joint river conservation and pollution control initiatives.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS 1: River systems, transboundary rivers

• GS 2: India–Bangladesh relations, water diplomacy

• GS 3: Water resource management, climate change

• Prelims: Ganga River system, Farakka Barrage, Joint Rivers Commission, Treaty provisions