India and the Ganga Waters Treaty: Analysis of the Water Sharing Mechanism

Abstract

India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers between them. Notwithstanding, the Ganga Waters Treaty (GWT) 1996 remains the sole water-sharing mechanism that specially focuses on the sharing of Ganga water during lean season. According to the GWT 1996, Farakka would be the water distribution point between the two countries. The present study is based on 10 years of flow data (2012–2021) of river Ganga at the point of Farakka. The flow data analysis reveals that the sharing of water between India and Bangladesh is in accordance with the formula laid down in the GWT 1996. The analysis further shows that India has received less quantum of water as compared to the historical average (1949–1988) given in the GWT 1996 for almost one-third of the 10-day intervals. The trends in water availability significantly confirm that India, an upper riparian, has mostly managed to ensure the required flow level at Farakka. According to the results of the study, four-fifths of the treaty period witnessed a higher quantum of water at Hardinge Bridge in Bangladesh as compared to the flow released at Farakka. This indicates that despite fluctuations in flow availability, India has largely managed to uphold the treaty mechanism.