Conflicts over transboundary rivers in the Indian sub-continent: Challenges in Management

Changing climate and rising water demands make management of water in transboundary river basins a challenging issue in India. Water disputes have haltered development activities for decades, affecting national economy, food security and life of the millions depending on agriculture. Though India faces problems both at the domestic and international levels, the domestic disputes are more difficult to solve because of social and political reasons. International disputes have led to better bilateral cooperation. However, tension is mounting over new development activities. Claims of the upper riparians and falling availability of reliable water due to changes in climate and anthropogenic activities lead to disputes over allocation. Disputes also arise due to environmental and safety issues and over rehabilitation. Increasing rainfall seasonality reduces pre-monsoon runoff in rivers and groundwater recharge. High seasonality and intensity of rainfall in the Western Ghats mountain region cause erosion of already degraded soil. Sedimentation affects river flow. Some of the major disputes are in this region. Retreat of the Himalayan glaciers, increasing demands of fast rising population, industrial development, rapid urbanisation, birth of new states and administrative divisions and the ongoing river linking project are likely to worsen the existing disputes and ignite new issues. Changing climate always reflect on disputes. The Cauvery river dispute, one among the oldest and most serious disputes in the world worsen when the monsoons fail. Constitutional limitations, vested political interests and weak and corrupt administration are hurdles in resolving disputes. Water-rich states always oppose amendments. Opposition parties in states try to make political gains by creating an impression that ruling party is incapable of protecting state interests. There are options like joint investments in projects for agriculture or power generation so that changes in climate can be beneficially utilised. Wise and timely political decisions, better environmental protection measures, community management of water, self-regulation and recharge of groundwater etc can solve most of the issues. This study analyses the major national and international issues associated with water management in the transboundary basins of India. Current policies, treaties and strategies have been critically reviewed. Trends in disputes under an altered climate and change in water availability predicted by climate models have also been analysed. Existing policies and strategies are inefficient and their implementation often fails due to various socio-economic, political and environmental factors. Guidelines for the modification of policies and adaptation strategy have been provided.