Water Crisis: Context: Post # 20

A.   Context of Water Crisis: 

    Before we deliberate on a potential way-out of this crisis, to bring about the above stated paradigm shift in our thinking patterns, the following realities have to be revisited:

• The Radcliffe boundary drawn to bring partition of 1947 was either absolutely blind toward hydraulic boundaries of the Indus River Basin, or, more bluntly, it was intentionally designed to partition this basin as a revenge of an imperial power fatally hurt.
• Indus Water Treaty of 1960 was not based on international laws applicable for trans-boundary river basins; it was a naked display of power by an upper riparian state making a weaker lower riparian state swallow its pride and accept an unequal deal brokered by the World Bank.
• In spite of the fact that the Indus Water Treaty was not just in view of the established water rights of the lower riparian state, Pakistan, we need to ask ourselves honestly: Considering our inherent weaknesses and constraints, what were the chances of getting a better deal at that time and, for that matter, even now? Perhaps, none.
• Within Pakistan, Punjab being one of the upper riparian province, are there enough measures taken to satisfy Sindh, a lower riparian province, to deliver its legal share as per Water Apportionment Accord of 1991?
• Sindh being “upper riparian” for Baluchistan, are there required measures put in place to ensure that the “lower riparian” province of Baluchistan gets its due share as per Accord of 1991?
• Even in the presence of equitable river water distribution based on area irrigated in the Indus Valley, the Accord of 1991, on the contrary, is basically pegged in the historical water use under international water laws; is there any possibility for all four provinces to get a better deal either in 1991 or, for that matter, now? Perhaps, none. If so, what stops us from thinking about ways and means to make it work?
• After signing the Water Accord of 1991, with inundation canals replaced with modern weir-controlled canal irrigation systems with specified water allowances, why can’t we go back to the original design criterion of equitable water distribution within each province to bring more areas under irrigation?
• Supply and demand side water management are very important options available to address the issue of water scarcity of water that is intensifying because of ever exploding population and climatic changes. Blowing fire in the national context and threatening calls of water wars at the regional level will not help to face off the water crisis; innovative and rational approaches will – why can’t we divert our energies to do just that?
• Why can’t we take up a positive and thankful approach by reminding ourselves of the following:  With all our short-comings and blunders, we still are a very lucky nation to have the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 intact; why can’t we divert all our energies to make sure that these agreements are implemented in their original letter and spirit?   When we all know very well that nothing better can be achieved in the prevailing environment and as per the prevailing ground realities, why should we knowingly hurt our interests more?

B.   Issues Associated with Water Crisis: 

      For finding a way-out from the emerging water crisis within the stated ground realities, it is important that we identify issues to be addressed.   These issues can be listed under different categories that include:

·         Management of population explosion in view of the free fall of per capita water availability of water;

·         Additional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to ensure that the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 is implemented by India and Pakistan both in its original letter and spirit;

·         Additional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to ensure that the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 is followed by all four provinces of Pakistan in its true letter and spirit;

·         Agreed and efficient supply side water management;

·         Agreed and enforceable demand side water management;

·         Creation of conducive environment for effective water conservation practices; and

·         Getting rid of ineffective water governance.