WATER ISSUES

IN PAKISTAN
1
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 Department
2
(A)

INDUS BASIN TREATY (1960)
3
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
o British appointed a Partition Committee and an
Arbitral 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.
4
SALIENT PROVISIONS - I
o Supplies of three eastern rivers Sutlej, Ravi &
Beas unrestricted use of India

o Supplies of three western rivers Chenab,
Jhelum & Indus unrestricted use of Pakistan

o Transition period 10+3 years India will release
for Pakistan specified quantity of waters of
eastern rivers no claim of Pakistan afterwards
5
SALIENT PROVISIONS - II
o Pakistan to construct Replacement Works from
Western 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 Commission Commissioners
(2) for settling matters arising out of treaty

o Settlement of disputes by the Commission or a
Neutral Expert / Arbitrator.
6
INDUS BASIN FUND AGREEMENT
o The Fund Provided for Replacement Works (to
compensate loss to Pakistan for foregoing
eastern rivers 24 MAF pre-partition):

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

o Eight feeder canals linking western rivers with
eastern rivers including Chasma-Jhelum link canal
(Indus to Jhelum), Taunsa-Punjnad (Indus to Chenab)

o Four New barrages Sidhnai (Ravi), Qadirabad
(Chenab), Rasul (Jhelum) and Chashma (Indus)
7
INDUS BASIN FUND AGREEMENT
o CRITICAL: No member of Sindh province was taken
for concluding a treaty on Indus waters
8

(B)

WATER APPORTIONMENT
ACCORD (WAA), 1991
9
BACKGROUND
Initially no control structures on rivers (inundation canals)
withdrawals un-assured & erratic
o 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 of
Sindh policy re-affirmed in Govt. of India Act, 1919
o In 1935 Sukkur Barrage and Sutlej Valley Projects
completed difficulties 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 among
the four provinces but in vain.
10
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
recognized Sindh held optimum was 10 MAF decision:
studies be held to establish minimal requirement

o Implementation through Indus River System Authority (IRSA)
11
(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.
12
OBJECTIVES
o The OBJECTIVES of the Project as per
WAPDA Version:

o Generate low cost hydroelectric power near
major load centers;

o Compensate for storage lost due to silting up of
existing reservoirs;

o Regulate and control the extreme flood peaks;
13
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 disposal
of 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 billion
14
PROJECT BENEFITS
o Project Benefits as per WAPDA Version are:

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

o Industrial / food production, employment, agri. boost;

o Irrigation water supplies (6.1 MAF) annually Rs. 12.5 B

o Power generation 11,400 M KWH / year Rs. 46.0 B

o Flood Alleviation reduce frequency & severity of the
flood damage

o The provinces will get additional water as per WAA, 1991
15
APPREHENSIONS OF NWFP
o The drainage of surrounding areas of
Mardan and Sawabi will be affected water-
logging and salinity;

o Operation of Mardan SCARP* would be
badly affected;

o Fertile and cultivable land will be submerged

*SCARP = Salinity Control And Reclamation Project
16
RESERVATIONS OF SINDH - I
oRiver flows are variable & declining past record
shows that surplus water not available every year
(for storage in KBD)
oEVIDENCE?
oUNEP
1
constituted IPCC
2
to 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 (needed
KBD storage capacity) was available only for 6 years
[WAPDA Record]

1 UN Environment Programme
2 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
17
RESERVATIONS OF SINDH - II
o Thus, if the dam is constructed it can only be
filled every 4 / 5 years.

o For remaining years?
o either it is left dry (imprudent investment!) or
o 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;
18
RESERVATIONS OF SINDH - III
o Canals are proposed to off-take from KBD which will
draw excessive water affecting supplies to Sindh:

o WAPDA (1984 Project Report) intends to irrigate 1.15 M-Acres
land with 8 MAF water it will definitely affect supplies of
Sindh;

o In 28 years (1976-04) actual annual canal head allocations
short of WAA figures by 12.74 MAF p.a. (104.61 MAF available
instead of 117.35 MAF). The storage of 6.1 MAF could not even
meet shortage what to talk of additional supply to
provinces!

o In Short, No Water Available to Fill KBD therefore,
the Project should be scrapped
19
RESERVATIONS OF SINDH - IV
o Storing 6.1 MAF will reduce flows coming
downstream Kotri Barrage affecting:

o sailaba cultivation (500,000 acres);

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

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

o Livelihood of people of the delta (Karachi, Thatta &
Badin districts) badly affected poverty will
increase
20
POSSIBILITY OF RAPPROCHEMENT
o There is usually a talk of finding a solution through
rapprochement or developing consensus!
o Rapprochement is possible only over benefit
sharing
o Indus waters are Sindhs lifeline
o When Sindhs life is at stake rapprochement has no
meaning
o They want to kill a person and want a
rapprochement before killing!
21
WAY FORWARD - I
o The objectives are irrigation and power generation.

o Objective could be achieved by utilizing alternate
means. 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 Irrigation
system e.g. at Karonjhar (Sindh), Channiot (Punjab);

o Rain Water Harvesting as is done in Brazil, Argentina,
Venezuela, etc.
22
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 actual
crop water requirements of various crops;

o Micro irrigation methods sprinklers be adopted
(expensive but local manufacturers could be motivated
PPP)

o Change in crop cultivation practices In Malaysia 28%
saving of water achieved by using wet seeded rice crop
duration reduced from 140 to 105 days similar innovation
could be done here.
23
WAY FORWARD - III
o Energy & Electricity Options

o New power generation options not limited to hydropower.

o Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, biomass, wind, solar, etc. could
be 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 cycle
systems have comparatively low system costs;

o Wind power potential along Sindh and Balochistan coast
could be tapped;

o There are 35-40% losses in transmission and distribution of
power. These could be reduced to 15% to meet some of the
energy demand.
24
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 is
not 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
(D)

BAGHLIAR DAM
(CONFLICT WITH INDIA)
26
BACKGROUND
o In order to fill Baghliar Dam (on Chenab
River), India withheld 0.2 MAF water
affecting supplies to Marala Barrage

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

o Dams accrue benefits to upper riparian areas
while badly affect the lower riparian areas
therefore, the trend for construction of big
dams is declining from the world!
27
ISSUE OF THE DAM
o As per 1960 Treaty western rivers, including Chenab,
allocated to Pakistan - yet India retains right to use their
waters for drinking and / or power generation purposes
o But India must inform Pakistan 6 months in advance about such
power generation project & provide its design to Pakistan

o In 1992, India informed Pakistan about construction of
Baghliar 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 spillway
canal (objective was to restrain India from withholding waters
of Chenab and allow her only to generate power)

o India did not agree to these objections
28
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
o Matter referred to Indus Water Commissioners of
two countries to decide. But they could not achieve
consensus on the dispute;

o Dispute referred to Neutral Expert / Arbitrator Prof.
Reymond Lifty (Switzerland) Arbitrator accepted
first 3 Pakistans objections but allowed India to erect
control structures / gates on spillway canal.

o The decision of Arbitrator was on merits. But in
practice, giving India the leverage to control supplies
of the waters of Chenab river proved detrimental to
Pakistan.
29
FILLING OF BAGHLIAR DAM - I
o As per the Treaty, India could only fill the dam with
the consent of the two Water Commissioners at an
appropriate time

o In case of disagreement, the dam could only be filled
b/w June 21 to August 31 so that at no point
availability 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 had
also declined. India continued to store water up to
Sept. 2008 - water supply at Marala declined.
30
FILLING OF BAGHLIAR DAM - II
o Pakistan claimed: 0.2 MAF of Chenab water was
withheld 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 would
never want to lose opportunity of filling its dam to
reap monetary returns. India being on the higher
riparian could do any thing and it did to the detriment
of Pakistan.
31
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 establish
above facts, to get little compensation (if at all
given by India).
32
COMPENSATION - II
o But, issue is not money but Pakistans right over
withheld water, in contravention of the Treaty

o Settlement of the issue crucial for Pakistan. Why?

o India intends to construct more power generation stations
upstream

o The Ministers of Water and Power met but the issue
could not be resolved
33
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
PAST YEAR QUESTIONS - I
o Pakistan Affairs
o 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
PAST YEAR QUESTIONS - II
o Current Affairs

o Write explanatory notes on any TWO of the
following:
Kalabagh Dam [2001(8)], [2006(8)]
36