4) Water Issues

8/12/2019 4) Water Issues

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WATER ISSUESIN PAKISTAN

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Source of the Facts, Figures, Viewpoints,Arguments, etc., contained in this Presentation is:

KALABAGH DAM AND SINDH

BY

Engr. Muhammad Idris Rajput

Former Secretary to Government of Sindh

Irrigation & Power Department2


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(A)

INDUS BASIN TREATY (1960)

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

o British appointed a Partition Committee and anArbitral Tribunal (life up to 31-03-1948) to resolve all

issues arising out of territorial division of Indus Basin

waters

o On 01-04-1948 India cut off supplies in every canal

crossing into Pakistan supplies restored on 04-

05-1948 after signing a joint statement

o But the dispute remained alive until signing of Indus

Basin Waters Treaty on 19-09-1960 between India and

Pakistan through the good offices of the World Bank.

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SALIENT PROVISIONS - I

o Supplies of three eastern riversSutlej, Ravi &Beasunrestricted use of India

o Supplies of three western riversChenab,Jhelum & Indusunrestricted use of Pakistan

o Transition period 10+3 years India will release

for Pakistan specified quantity of waters ofeastern riversno claim of Pakistan afterwards

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SALIENT PROVISIONS - II

o Pakistan to construct Replacement Works fromWestern Rivers & India to pay 62 M to Pakistan

o Exchange of data between India-Pak w.r.t. flow

and utilization of Indus basin waters

o Permanent Indus CommissionCommissioners(2) for settling matters arising out of treaty

o Settlement of disputes by the Commission or aNeutral Expert / Arbitrator.

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INDUS BASIN FUND AGREEMENT

o The Fund Provided for Replacement Works (tocompensate loss to Pakistan for foregoing

eastern rivers 24 MAFpre-partition):

o Two storage damsMangla (on Jhelum) and Tarbela(on Indus)live storage capacity > 14 MAF

o Eight feeder canals linking western rivers with

eastern riversincluding Chasma-Jhelum link canal(Indus to Jhelum), Taunsa-Punjnad (Indus to Chenab)

o Four New barragesSidhnai (Ravi), Qadirabad

(Chenab), Rasul (Jhelum) and Chashma (Indus) 7


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INDUS BASIN FUND AGREEMENT

o CRITICAL: No member of Sindh province was taken

for concluding a treaty on Indus waters

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(B)

WATER APPORTIONMENT

ACCORD (WAA), 1991

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BACKGROUND

Initially no control structures on rivers (inundation canals)

withdrawals un-assured & erratico First head-works on Ravi (1859)many more in Punjab

(1882-1901)

o According to Indian Irrigation Commission (1901-03) any

diversion of Indus water possible only with consent ofSindhpolicy re-affirmed in Govt. of India Act, 1919

o In 1935 Sukkur Barrage and Sutlej Valley Projectscompleteddifficulties arose in sharing of water supplies

between states of Bikaner, Bahawalpur and the Punjab -Anderson Committee gave unanimous report in 1937

o After independence of Pakistan several committees /commissions were constituted to settle disputes amongthe four provinces but in vain.

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SALIENT FEATURES OF THE ACCORD

o A unanimous WAA was singed by four provinces on 16-03-1991.

o Following apportionment was agreed:o Punjab 55.90 MAF (56)

o Sindh 48.80 MAF (49)

o NWFP 8.80 MAF (9)

o Balochistan 3.87 MAF (4) = 117.4 MAF (118)

o Balance river supplies / shortages shall be distributed as:o Punjab & Sindh 37% each, NWFP 14% & Balochistan 12% (100%)

o Need for feasible storages was admitted / recognized (Kalabagh

and other dams option is possible under the accord)o Need for discharge of water to sea below Kotri barrage was

recognizedSindh held optimum was 10 MAFdecision:studies be held to establish minimal requirement

o Implementation through Indus River System Authority (IRSA) 11


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(C)

KALABAGH DAM PROJECT (KBD)

NOTE:The argument, in the presentation, largely supports version of

smaller provinces, particularly Sindh. However, version of WAPDA /

Punjab has also been discussed. The candidates may take any

stance, as per their desire, but that should be properly substantiated.

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OBJECTIVES

o The OBJECTIVES of the Project as per

WAPDA Version:

o Generate low cost hydroelectric power nearmajor load centers;

o Compensate for storage lost due to silting up of

existing reservoirs;

o Regulate and control the extreme flood peaks;

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FEATURES OF KBD PROJECT

o 260 feet high rock-fill dam;

o Usable storage 6.1 MAF;

o Two spillways on the right bank for disposalof 2 million cusecs discharge;

o Power house on left bank ultimate

generation capacity of 3,600 MW;

o Estimated cost US$ 5 billion (1986-87) now

around $ 15-17 billion14


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PROJECT BENEFITS

o Project Benefits as per WAPDA Version are:

o Rs. 60 billion / year from irrigation supplies, powergeneration, flood alleviation;

o Industrial / food production, employment, agri. boost;o Irrigation water supplies (6.1 MAF) annuallyRs. 12.5 B

o Power generation11,400 M KWH / yearRs. 46.0 B

o Flood Alleviationreduce frequency & severity of theflood damage

o The provinces will get additional water as per WAA, 1991

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APPREHENSIONS OF NWFP

o The drainage of surrounding areas ofMardan and Sawabi will be affectedwater-logging and salinity;

o Operation of Mardan SCARP* would bebadly affected;

o Fertile and cultivable land will be submerged

*SCARP = Salinity Control And Reclamation Project

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RESERVATIONS OF SINDH - Io River flows are variable & decliningpast record

shows that surplus water not available every year(for storage in KBD)

o EVIDENCE?oUNEP1constituted IPCC2to assess risks of human

induced climate change. Its 1995 report envisages:o increase in rainfall in some region while decrease in

others;

o supplies in Indus will reduce by 43%;

oOut of 28 years (1976 to 2004) surplus water (neededKBD storage capacity) was available only for 6 years[WAPDA Record]

1 UN Environment Programme

2 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 17


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RESERVATIONS OF SINDH - II

o Thus, if the dam is constructed it can only befilled every 4 / 5 years.

o For remaining years?o either it is left dry (imprudent investment!) oro effort will be made to fill it every year to recover

the investment of US$ 15-17 B

o RESULT?o Irrigation water supplies to Sindh will be reduced;

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RESERVATIONS OF SINDH - III

o Canals are proposed to off-take from KBD which willdraw excessive wateraffecting supplies to Sindh:

o WAPDA (1984 Project Report) intends to irrigate 1.15 M-Acresland with 8 MAF waterit will definitely affect supplies ofSindh;

o In 28 years (1976-04) actual annual canal head allocationsshort of WAA figures by 12.74 MAF p.a. (104.61 MAF availableinstead of 117.35 MAF). The storage of 6.1 MAF could not evenmeet shortagewhat to talk of additional supply to

provinces!

o In Short, No Water Available to Fill KBD therefore,the Project should be scrapped

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RESERVATIONS OF SINDH - IV

o Storing 6.1 MAF will reduce flows comingdownstream Kotri Barrage affecting:

o sailabacultivation (500,000 acres);

o 300,000 acres of mangrove forest in Indus delta;

o Sea intrusion increase further (1.2 million acres ofland already affected);

o Livelihood of people of the delta (Karachi, Thatta &Badin districts) badly affectedpoverty will

increase

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POSSIBILITY OF RAPPROCHEMENT

o There is usually a talk of finding a solution throughrapprochement or developing consensus!

o Rapprochement is possible only over benefit

sharingo Indus waters are Sindhslifeline

o When Sindhslife is at stake rapprochement has no

meaningo They want to kill a person and want a

rapprochement before killing!

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WAY FORWARD - I

o The objectives are irrigation and power generation.

o Objective could be achieved by utilizing alternatemeans. These are:

o Agriculture and Irrigation Options:

oNew Supply Options:

o Development of Storages on smaller tributaries of rivers

e.g. at Kalam, Naran, etc. and Outside existing Irrigationsystem e.g. at Karonjhar (Sindh), Channiot (Punjab);

o Rain Water Harvesting as is done in Brazil, Argentina,Venezuela, etc.

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WAY FORWARD - II

o Efficient Utilization of Water:

o 30% (17 MAF) of water lost in fields - avoided through:o laser levelers &

o adopting modern irrigation methods (bed & furrow);

o Dissemination of information to farmers regarding actualcrop water requirements of various crops;

o Micro irrigation methodssprinklersbe adopted(expensive but local manufacturers could be motivated

PPP)

o Change in crop cultivation practicesIn Malaysia 28%saving of water achieved by using wet seeded ricecropduration reduced from 140 to 105 dayssimilar innovation

could be done here. 23


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WAY FORWARD - IIIo Energy & Electricity Options

o New power generation options not limited to hydropower.

o Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, biomass, wind, solar, etc. couldbe explored.

o Over 100 B tones of superior quality coal is available in Thar(Sindh) could be utilized to generate 600 MW of energy;

o Natural gas abundantly available: Gas fired combined cyclesystems have comparatively low system costs;

o Wind power potential along Sindh and Balochistan coastcould be tapped;

o There are 35-40% losses in transmission and distribution ofpower. These could be reduced to 15% to meet some of the

energy demand. 24


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CONCLUSION

o MISTRUST between key parties - the most critical

factor in dam controversy.o Dam promoters too often agree to new policies and

guidelines but fail to comply with them.

o Because of change in rainfall patters Tarbela Dam isnot being filled to its capacity in last few years.Where from water for new dam will come?

o Provincial Assemblies of Sindh (1994, 2003), NWFP(1988, 1991, 1993) and Baochistan (1994) passed

resolutions against KBD due to ill effects on them.o Therefore, the project, being unfeasible and

affecting national integration, be shelved.

o Energy needs explored through alternate sources. 25


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(D)

BAGHLIAR DAM(CONFLICT WITH INDIA)

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BACKGROUND

o In order to fill Baghliar Dam (on ChenabRiver), India withheld 0.2 MAF water

affecting supplies to Marala Barrage

o Stored water from Mangla dam was releasedto meet the demand of fields in the Punjab

o Dams accrue benefits to upper riparian areaswhile badly affect the lower riparian areas

therefore, the trend for construction of big

dams is declining from the world!27


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ISSUE OF THE DAMo As per 1960 Treaty western rivers, including Chenab,

allocated to Pakistan - yet India retains right to use theirwaters for drinking and / or power generation purposes

o But India must inform Pakistan 6 months in advance about suchpower generation project & provide its design to Pakistan

o In 1992, India informed Pakistan about construction ofBaghliar Dam for power generation

o Pakistan had four objections:

o Three objections were related to the level of water reservoir:dead storage level and storage capacity of the dam

o Fourth was to remove gates / control structures from spillwaycanal (objective was to restrain India from withholding watersof Chenab and allow her only to generate power)

o India did not agree to these objections 28


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CONFLICT RESOLUTION

o Matter referred to Indus Water Commissioners oftwo countries to decide. But they could not achieveconsensus on the dispute;

o Dispute referred to Neutral Expert / ArbitratorProf.

Reymond Lifty (Switzerland)Arbitrator acceptedfirst 3 Pakistans objections but allowed India to erectcontrol structures / gates on spillway canal.

o The decision of Arbitrator was on merits. But inpractice, giving India the leverage to control suppliesof the waters of Chenab river proved detrimental toPakistan.

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FILLING OF BAGHLIAR DAM - I

o As per the Treaty, India could only fill the dam withthe consent of the two Water Commissioners at anappropriate time

o In case of disagreement, the dam could only be filled

b/w June 21 to August 31 so that at no pointavailability of water at Marala Barrage (Pakistan)should not fall below 55,000 cusecs

o Baghliar Dam was completed by mid Aug. 2008.Water filled after Aug. 15, when water supplies hadalso declined. India continued to store water up toSept. 2008 - water supply at Marala declined.

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FILLING OF BAGHLIAR DAM - II

o Pakistan claimed: 0.2 MAF of Chenab water waswithheld by India in contravention of the Treaty.

o Since the dam was completed late so India should not

have filled it in the first year.

o But as discussed in KBD project, the investor wouldnever want to lose opportunity of filling its dam to

reap monetary returns. India being on the higherriparian could do any thing and it did to the detrimentof Pakistan.

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COMPENSATION - I

o Claim of compensation very complicated.

Pakistan will have to establish that:

o the water actually declined at Marala barrage;o this shortage was caused due to filling of Baghliar

dam;o the losses accrued due to this shortage;o this much (claimed) loss has been sustained by

Pakistan

o Pakistan might have to spend more to establishabove facts, to get little compensation (if at allgiven by India).

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COMPENSATION - II

o But, issue is not money but Pakistans right overwithheld water, in contravention of the Treaty

o Settlement of the issue crucial for Pakistan. Why?

o India intends to construct more power generation stationsupstream

o The Ministers of Water and Power met but the issue

could not be resolved

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CONCLUSION

o LESSONS: whenever a storage dam is constructed:

o Its control lies with those who own it or where it is located.

o Objections of other stakeholders do not effectively restrain

the party under control not to violate the norms / principles

agreed upon.

o Therefore, big dams always have similar difficulties.

When these are constructed the upper riparian areas

always promise / assure to safeguard the interests of

lower riparian areas.

o Once the dams are constructed, excuses are always

found to fill dams even in the days of scarcity of water.34


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PAST YEARQUESTIONS - I

o Pakistan Affairso Using as much evidence as possible, outline a case

for the development of water resources in the Indus

Basin. [2005(8)]

o What do you know about the Water Crisis in

Pakistan? Also suggest concrete steps for its

solution [2004(6)]

o Write detailed notes on any TWO of the following:Kalabagh Dam [2001(8)]

o Write explanatory notes on any TWO of the

following: (c) Indus Waters Treaty; [1997(8)] 35


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PAST YEARQUESTIONS - II

o Current Affairs

o Write explanatory notes on any TWO of the

following:

Kalabagh Dam [2001(8)], [2006(8)]

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4) Water Issues