India, Pakistan urged to revisit Indus Water Treaty: SDPI report on the Indus Basin

Speakers at a seminar, while underlining the need for mutual co-operation between India and Pakistan, have called upon both the country to revisit 'Indus Water Treaty' to fulfil future water needs in both the countries.
Speaking on the launching of a report titled "Indus Basin Roadmap for Cross-Border Water Research, Data Sharing, and Policy Co-ordination", organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Wednesday, the experts revealed that Indus basin was under extreme pressure where per capita water availability had decreased manifold.
With the changed scenarios, demand policy makers to respond to overlapping socio-economic and environmental threats so as to ensure water availability and quality for millions of people dependent on Indus River Basin.
Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, Senior Research Associate, SDPI, started the proceedings and said that report was produced by Indus Working Group, which was the outcome of Pakistan-India Track-II project for which SDPI had partnered with the Stimson Centre, Washington DC. He briefed that working group was comprised 25 experts that joined hands to build mutual understanding between Indian and Pakistani decisions-makers on risks and opportunities arising out of Indus river basin.
Sharing the recommendation of the report, David Michel, Director Environmental Security, Stimson Centre, US said that effective management of the basin's water resources - built on sound scientific data, guided by an integrated knowledge base, and anchored by capacity building and confidence building measures - can promote a sustainable future for both India and Pakistan in the Indus Basin. He said the report stressed on cross-border dissemination of hydrological data; promotion of laser land levelling technology and drip irrigation systems; establishing best practices for increased water storage; and identifying alternative crops better suited for growth in the basin's arid climate. It also prioritises investment in regular maintenance of canal infrastructure to minimise agricultural water losses.
Citing recommendation on energy and economic development, he focused on initiating a professional exchange programme for experts between both the countries to educate people on how climate change and shifting precipitation patterns were influencing water availability.
It also recommends developing a digitised online model of the Indus Basin and increase the knowledge base on monsoon variability trends to improve outcomes for rainfall dependent agriculture. Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel (Retd), former UN assistant secretary general and Member Board of Governors, SDPI, was of the view that Indus Water Treaty that survived three wars and governed the water issues for the last five decades needed to be preserved and further refined to address the gaps, issues and challenges confronting both the nations.
He said that existing treaty had no provisions on how to respond to variations in water flow that climate change could engender. "Nor does the agreement contain effectively binding provisions to address water quality or pollution. Similarly, while the two countries share trans-boundary aquifers, there are no provisions for managing groundwater supplies," he added.
He concluded by saying that the water scarcity was common challenge that posed existential threat to India and Pakistan and it was essential that both countries adopt a joint approach to address the issue. Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad lamented the inefficient use of water and said that efficiency of only 40 percent in agriculture water usage was a crime that could not be tolerated. He talked about comprehensive water distribution arrangements between the upper riparian region and lower riparian regions not only between India and Pakistan, but also between the provinces.
Dr Iqrar said Pakistan had one of the world's lowest ratios for water storage and suggested introducing rainwater harvesting and watershed management in Indus river basin. Simi Kamal emphasised on educating people on sustainable water usage and said unless the water prices in the country were not increased there would be continuous wastage of water in agriculture, industry and in domestic use. "Pakistan has the lowest productivity as per capita water and land usage and this must be changed. We have to educate people to take responsibility in efficient water use and management," she added. She also asked civil society, young researchers, and academicians to initiate research initiatives on water issues and facilitate government in taking correct policy decisions.
Syed Iqbal Hussain, an expert from India presented deliberation on glacial dimensions of Indus water basin. He was of the view that 80 percent of water in Indus River came from snow and glacial melt and keeping in view the rapid melting of glaciers especially in Tibetan plateau from where Indus originated, it was possible that there might be substantial decrease in water flow in Indus in coming future. He also showed his concerns over coal fired power plants in India, producing 70 percent of electricity, and were source of black carbon that was responsible for fast melting of glaciers in the region.