• UGI USER
  • Mar 22, 2024
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NAVIGATING THE GLOBAL WATERSCAPE, ITS CHALLENGES

Syllabus:

GS 1 and 2:

  • Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
  • Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).

Focus:

  • 31st celebration of world water day.
Source:- IE

Global Water Crisis: A Snapshot

  • Scarcity and Rising Demand: Over 2 billion people worldwide face challenges in accessing clean water, a basic human right, highlighting a global crisis where demand outstrips supply.
  • World Water Day 2024: Marking the 31st celebration with the theme “Leveraging water for peace,” emphasizing the dual role of water as a source of sustenance and conflict.
  • Historical Context: Water has been central to the development and decline of ancient civilizations, illustrated by conflicts such as the one between Lagash and Umma over water and fertile land, leading to the world’s first known peace treaty, the Treaty of Mesilim.
World water day

·   Origins of World Water Day: Proposed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro.

·   Official Declaration: The United Nations General Assembly declared March 22 as World Water Day later in 1992.

·   Purpose: Dedicated to highlighting the necessity of water and the need for its conservation.

·   Global Water Crisis: World Water Day focuses on promoting solutions to address the global water crisis and celebrates the planet’s water resources.

·   Promotion of Sustainable Practices: It serves as an opportunity to promote sustainable water practices to safeguard the future of the planet.

·   UN’s Role: The United Nations marks the day to promote the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

·   Flagship Report: On World Water Day, the UN launches its annual flagship report on water and sanitation, coordinated by UN-Water.

·   Awareness and Advocacy: World Water Day raises awareness about the importance of saving water and promotes sustainable water practices at all levels.

·   Addressing Water Scarcity: The day highlights the issue of the global water crisis and raises awareness about the lack of access to safe drinking water for 2.2 billion people.

·   2024 Theme: The theme for World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’ with a focus on exploring this theme in the UN’s World Water Development Report (WWDR).

·    Continued Focus on SDG 6: While the theme changes annually, the central focus remains on topics relevant to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6 targets

Water Diplomacy and Climate Challenges

  • Climate Extremities Impacting Water Security: The increasing frequency of heatwaves, floods, and erratic monsoons, particularly noted in India, underscores the urgent need for robust water diplomacy amidst climate crisis.
  • Need for Enhanced Cooperation: The complexity of climate change calls for improved global cooperation on water sharing and adherence to international water laws to prevent conflicts and promote peace.
  • Urban-Rural Divide in Water Access: The disparity in water quality and access between urban and rural areas, with a significant majority of those lacking basic drinking water services residing in rural regions.

Addressing Rural Water Needs in India

  • Agriculture at the Core: In India, agriculture employs 70% of the rural population and accounts for the same percentage of global freshwater usage, spotlighting the sector’s critical water dependence.
  • Technological Innovations for Water Conservation: Emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), are being leveraged to enhance water efficiency in agriculture, reduce wastage, and support sustainable practices.
  • Investment in Rural Water Infrastructure: Prioritizing water infrastructure in rural areas can address disparities, improve living standards, and support economic development through enhanced health, education, and employment opportunities.

The Challenge of Transboundary Waters

  • Shared Water Resources: A considerable portion of the world’s freshwater resources lies in transboundary basins, necessitating sophisticated governance mechanisms for equitable and effective water sharing.
  • Pollution and Cooperation: The worsening pollution in major river systems, especially in South Asia, emphasizes the need for regional cooperation in water governance to tackle shared challenges.
  • Global Cooperation for Peace and Sustainability: Only a fraction of countries sharing water resources have reached full cooperation agreements, underlining the importance of transboundary water management for global peace, security, and sustainability.
Transboundary Water Disputes in India: Key Points

  • Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan (1960):
    • Background: Negotiated by the World Bank, this treaty allocates the use of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan, reserving the waters of the three eastern rivers (Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej) for India, while the western rivers (Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum) are allocated to Pakistan.
    • Current Issues: Disputes have arisen over hydroelectric projects in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region, with Pakistan raising concerns that these projects could affect the flow of water it receives.
  • Ganges Water Sharing with Bangladesh:
    • Background: The sharing of Ganges water at Farakka Barrage near their mutual border has been a point of contention between India and Bangladesh since the latter’s independence in 1971.
    • 1975 Agreement and Beyond: The two countries signed agreements in 1975, 1982, 1985, and finally a 30-year treaty in 1996 to share the waters of the Ganges during the dry season. Despite the treaty, issues persist regarding the quantity of water shared and the impact of upstream water use in India on Bangladesh.
  • Teesta Water Dispute with Bangladesh:
    • Background: The Teesta River dispute is another significant water-sharing issue between India and Bangladesh, affecting the flow of water to the Teesta River’s lower riparian region in Bangladesh.
    • Negotiations and Challenges: Despite several rounds of negotiations and proposed agreements, a final treaty has yet to be signed, mainly due to opposition from the government of West Bengal, an Indian state through which the Teesta flows.
  • Mahakali Treaty with Nepal (1996):
    • Background: The Mahakali Treaty concerns the integrated development of the Mahakali River, shared by India and Nepal, including the Sarada Barrage, Tanakpur Barrage, and Pancheshwar Project.
    • Challenges and Progress: While the treaty outlines principles for sharing the benefits of the river’s development, delays in project implementation and disagreements over water-sharing and power generation capacity have led to dissatisfaction on both sides.
  • Koshi and Gandak Disputes with Nepal:
    • Koshi Agreement: The Koshi Agreement (1954, revised in 1966) between India and Nepal aimed to control flooding and improve irrigation. Issues have arisen over the treaty’s implementation and the distribution of benefits.
    • Gandak Agreement: Similar to the Koshi Agreement, the Gandak Agreement (1959, revised in 1964) has faced challenges in terms of equitable water sharing and project benefits.
  • River Water Disputes within India:
    • Interstate Disputes: India also faces significant interstate river water disputes, such as those involving the Cauvery, Krishna, and Godavari rivers. These disputes highlight the complexities of water distribution among states with varying needs, priorities, and legal claims.

Sustainable Management and International Cooperation

  • Importance of Sustainable Practices: Sustainable water management is crucial for ensuring the equitable distribution of water, protecting ecosystems, and supporting economic development.
  • Benefits of Transboundary Cooperation: Effective management of shared water resources can yield benefits across multiple sectors, including health, food security, disaster protection, and ecosystem services.
  • Role of Technology and Innovation: The application of technology and innovative practices in water management can help address the challenges of scarcity, pollution, and inefficiency.

The Path Forward: Recommendations and Actions

  • Enhancing Data Availability and Quality: Improving the collection and dissemination of water quality data globally, with a focus on addressing the urban-rural divide.
  • Building Resilience to Climate Change: Developing strategies to make water systems more resilient to climate variability and extremities, including investment in infrastructure and community-based approaches.
  • Fostering Inclusive Water Governance: Encouraging the participation of all stakeholders, including local and indigenous communities, civil society, and the private sector, in water governance processes.
  • Promoting Regional and Global Partnerships: Strengthening regional cooperation and global partnerships for water diplomacy, sharing best practices, and leveraging international frameworks for transboundary water management.

The global water crisis, exacerbated by climate change and rising demand, requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water resources. By embracing innovation, fostering cooperation, and prioritizing investments in water infrastructure, especially in rural and transboundary contexts, we can navigate the challenges of the global waterscape and leverage water as a catalyst for peace and prosperity.

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/

Mains Practice Question:

“Examine the critical challenges in managing transboundary water resources in South Asia. Discuss the role of international cooperation and water diplomacy in addressing these challenges. Illustrate your answer with examples.”