Why in the News?
Senior officials from the Union Jal Shakti Ministry visited Farakka Barrage as the India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty is set to expire in December 2026, ahead of renewal discussions between India and Bangladesh.
About
- A bilateral treaty governing the sharing of Ganga (Ganges) river waters between India and Bangladesh during the dry season, with regulated releases at Farakka Barrage in West Bengal
- Signed on 12 December 1996
- Valid for 30 years
- Renewable by mutual consent
- Downstream monitoring at Hardinge Bridge in Bangladesh
Background
- Dry season water disputes date back to the 1950s
- Interim arrangements were signed in 1977, 1982, and 1985
- The 1996 treaty introduced a stable, rule based and long term framework for cooperation
Key features
- Ten day sharing schedule (January to May): Water allocation based on a formula using historical average flows from 1949 to 1988
- Low flow consultation clause: If river flow falls below 50,000 cusecs in any ten day period, immediate bilateral consultation is required
- Minimum release assurance: India ensures downstream releases, allowing limited withdrawals up to 200 cusecs for reasonable uses between Farakka and the Bangladesh border
- Joint Committee mechanism: Equal representation from both countries. Daily monitoring at Farakka and Hardinge Bridge. Annual reports on implementation and dispute resolution
- Review and renewal: Review every five years or earlier if necessary. Renewal only by mutual agreement.
| [2017] With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements:
1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim. 2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta 3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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