India has restricted the water flow to Pakistan from the Ravi River. According to the 1960 Indus water treaty, which was signed under World Bank supervision, India is the only country with exclusive rights to the Ravi water. Why India has restricted the Ravi River waterAs per recent development, India completed Shahpur Kandi Barrage, dam that had been waiting for 45 years to restrict the flow of water into Pakistan from the Ravi River. A domestic conflict between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab delayed the construction of the Shahpur Kandi barrage, which is situated in the Pathankot region of Punjab. However, as a result, Pakistan has been receiving a sizable portion of Indian water for years.India is fully entitled to the water of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas under the terms of the Indus Water Treaty, whereas Pakistan is entitled to the water of the Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus.Impact on PakistanThis project diverts water from the Ravi River, previously flowing into Pakistan, for use in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India. Apart from this, the barrage aims to provide irrigation and hydropower generation benefits to the region, addressing water scarcity concerns. While India claims its exercising its rights under the treaty, Pakistan has expressed concerns about the potential reduction in water availability, impacting agriculture and livelihoods in its territory.Water Sharing AgreementThe 1960 Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan allocates water rights from the Indus River system. Under this treaty, India has exclusive rights to the waters of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers, while Pakistan controls the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.How the project will help IndiaThe foundation stone of the project was laid down by former Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao in 1995. Shahpur Kandi Barrage which is located on the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border, will shift water allocation to Jammu and Kashmir. The region will now be benefited from the 1150 cusecs of water previously destined for Pakistan. The diverted water will not only serve the irrigation purposes, but will also provide a boon to over 32,000 hectares of land in the Kathua and Samba districts.After EffectsIt is to be noted here that this step could heighten tensions between India and Pakistan, highlighting the complexities of water resource sharing in the region. It is important to adhere the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty to ensure peaceful and sustainable water management in the region.
