THE GANGES WATER AGREEMENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

This comparative study examines the various agreements governing the sharing of Ganges waters between India and Bangladesh during the period from 1977 to the mid-1980s. The article analyzes the historical context, negotiation processes, implementation mechanisms, and outcomes of different water sharing arrangements. The research investigates the 1977 Agreement on Sharing of the Ganges Waters at Farakka and its subsequent extensions and modifications. The study examines the technical, political, and legal dimensions of the water sharing dispute, analyzing how hydrological realities, engineering interventions, and diplomatic considerations have shaped agreement formulations. The article assesses the impact of the agreements on agricultural production, river navigation, and environmental conditions in both countries. The research also evaluates the role of third-party mediation and international water law principles in resolving the dispute. Furthermore, the analysis identifies lessons from the Ganges water experience for transboundary water management in other international river basins.

The Ganges water sharing dispute between India and Bangladesh represented one of the most significant transboundary water conflicts in South Asia, with this article providing a comprehensive comparative analysis of the agreements governing this vital resource during the 1977-1986 period. The research begins by examining the historical context of the Ganges water dispute, tracing the origins of the conflict from British colonial irrigation projects through post-independence developments to the construction of the Farakka Barrage. The analysis explores the negotiation processes that led to the 1977 Agreement, examining the diplomatic strategies, technical considerations, and political factors that shaped the initial five-year agreement. The article investigates the implementation experience of the 1977 Agreement and its subsequent extensions, analyzing how seasonal variations, monitoring mechanisms, and dispute resolution procedures functioned in practice. The study examines the Memorandum of Understanding approach that characterized later arrangements, assessing how this more flexible framework addressed some limitations of the original agreement while creating new challenges. The research evaluates the impact of water sharing arrangements on agricultural production in both countries, particularly the effects on dry season irrigation in Bangladesh and the Hugli River flushing in India. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article identifies both achievements and limitations in the Ganges water agreements and analyzes the factors that have facilitated or constrained effective transboundary water cooperation. The findings provide valuable insights into the challenges of managing shared water resources between asymmetrical riparian states and contribute to understanding the relationship between technical solutions, political agreements, and sustainable water management in international river basins.