Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Rise in population growth needs high demand of limited water to meet the challenges of high
food requirements and it creates an environment of conflicts. The extent of conflicts varies from
regional tensions to violence and it depends on the importance of water resources and
relationships between the parties. In case of international rivers, the conflict over share water
resources is quite common. However, shared rivers are not always prone to conflict; it could
provide an opportunity to bring the riparian countries to the negotiation table and make them
involve in more cooperative process. The guidelines has provided in integrated water resource
management framework help the policy makers and states to manage their water issues in more
effective and efficient way.

Indus river water is mostly shared between Pakistan and India. This river system is a source of
life for billions of people in both countries. An Indus water treaty 1960 agreement was signed
between both countries for sharing the water resources. But, due to increase in population
growth and uncertainty in river water and acute water shortage, there is a dispute among India
and Pakistan. As both countries are trying hard to get high access of water by constructing
hydropower and navigational projects. This case study analyzes the nature of disputes. Attempts
are made to provide relevant information by using several secondary sources. After analyzing
the problematic situation, recommendations are made. The three main issues of Indus water
disputes are: limitations in IWT, lack of trust and cooperation and high politics. There is a need
to revise the Indus Water Treaty according to the IWRM principles in order to promote
cooperation between India and Pakistan and to achieve an improved desirable situation. In the
presence of high political will and commitment, the IWRM framework of enabling environment,
institutional arrangement and managing instrument are the best tool for the successful
application of IWRM at basin level.
,