1. The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, round which are intertwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and her defeats. She has been a symbol of India’s age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga. -Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India

2. Ganges-Brahmaputra-Barak Basin Has multiple-use potential for its abundant water resources. –Irrigation –Power Generation –Industrial development –Fisheries –Navigation Least developed region in the world.

3. The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Barak Basin The basin is shared by Bangladesh (7%), Bhutan, China, India (80%), and Nepal. Positions of each country in relation to each other

4. Dams on the Ganga Dam diverting Himalayan snowmelt to Upper Ganges Canal. Farakka Barrage diverts water from Ganges into the Bhagirathi River –Caused dispute between Bangladesh and India –Ganges Water Treaty of 1996 Availability at FarakkaShare of IndiaShare of Bangladesh 70,000 cucecs or less50% 70,000-75,000 cusecsBalance of flow35,000 cucecs 75,000 cusecs or more40,000 cusecsBalance of flow *Subject to the condition that India and Bangladesh each shall receive guaranteed 35,000 cusecs of water in alternate three 10-day periods during the period March 1 to May 10.

5. Pollution in the Basin Leather industry One billion liters of raw sewage a day Inadequate cremation techniques. The Ganga Action Plan – India attempts to clean up?

6. Hindu myth in the Basin Bathing in water will cleanse sins and is life-long mission. Waters cleanse any place or object. Ashes of dead in the river will carry souls to paradise.

7. ‘Nowhere is the problem of cooperation between riparian neighbors as critical as in the Ganges-Brahnaputra basin in South Asia. Nowhere are the benefits from cooperation as spectacular for the futures of the countries involved, and nowhere is the penalty for non-cooperation as devastating’ Former Secretary of India

8. Questions for Discussion 1. Why have the riparian states sharing the basin not taken advantage of the vast economical potential of their water resources? 2. What effect may the Hindu religious beliefs regarding the Ganga have on future water agreements? 3. What effect will China’s lack of participation in basin hydropolitics have on any decision made by India, Bangledesh, Bhutan, and Nepal? 4. Are the current bilateral agreements between India and the other riparian states effective? 5. Is the Ganges Water Treaty between Bangledesh and India a good solution to the water allocation issues between the two states? What effects could harsh weather conditions have on the agreement? 6. Should an agreement such as the Ganges Water Treaty include agreements regarding pollution, additional water projects, and environmental issues? Or should one issue be tackled at a time? 7. What affect may third party involvement have on the basin hydropolitics?