Daily News Analysis ‘Indus River System’ : 16 May

Why in News:

  • Rajasthan’s Water Resources Minister has demanded permanent membership and equitable representation for the State in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), citing Rajasthan’s 52.96% share in the Ravi-Beas waters.

The Indus River System and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), 1960

  • The Treaty: Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, to distribute the waters of the Indus Basin.
  • River Allocation:
    • Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej): Allocated to India for unrestricted use. BBMB controls the infrastructure built across these specific rivers.
    • Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab): Allocated primarily to Pakistan, while India retains limited non-consumptive, agricultural, and run-of-the-river power project rights.

Comparison: Key Eastern Rivers of the Indus System

River

Source / Origin

Major Reservoir / Infrastructure

Confluence Point

Sutlej

Rakas Lake (Tibet)

Bhakra Dam (Gobind Sagar Lake)

Joins Indus at Mithankot (Pakistan)

Beas

Rohtang Pass (Himachal Pradesh)

Pong Dam

Merges into Sutlej at Harike (Punjab)

Ravi

Kullu Hills (Himachal Pradesh)

Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein Dam)

Joins Chenab in Pakistan

Important Links