Indus Water Treaty

Indus Water Treaty
 

News: The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) seems to be struggling to gain support in the J&K region.
 

Background:
 There is growing perception in the J&K region’s residents that the IWT prevents them from utilising their own water resources, significantly impacting the UT’s growth. This indicates the widespread resentment among the residents over the existence of IWT.
 

What are reasons for resentment?
Loss of water resources has had negative consequences on:
Agriculture
 Jammu and Kashmir’s economy is mainly dependent on agriculture. Nearly 70% of the people here depend on agriculture for their income, directly or indirectly.
 The UT’s irrigation system has merely improved over the years. In Kashmir, the primary irrigation method (canal) has seen a dismal development.
Power Generation
 The hydropower potential of the region has only partially realized.
 Of the potential hydropower capacity (20,000 MW), only 3,263.46 MW/19.80% have been used so far.
 IWT only allows for run-of-the-river projects that do not affect the riparian rights of Pakistan.
 

What do the residents demand?
 Abrogation of the treaty.
 Quantify the losses incurred to aid the UT in seeking compensation. Conclusion
 The issue of IWT has been in spotlight recently due to India’s appeal to Pakistan to modify it, the people of J&K eagerly expect policymakers to pay attention to their concerns.