Indus basin water flows rose while Ganga declined since 1980, study shows
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· India's bilateral relations· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
A study by IIT Gandhinagar published in *Earth’s Future* reveals that Indus Basin streamflows have risen while Ganga Basin flows have declined since 1980 due to intensive groundwater pumping.
Background
The study highlights a divergence in river systems: the Indus Basin saw a modest increase in streamflow, whereas the Ganga Basin experienced a sharp decline. The decline in the Ganga is attributed primarily to intensive groundwater pumping for irrigation purposes.
Facts for Prelims
- FactIndus Basin streamflow has shown a modest increase since 1980.
- FactGanga Basin streamflow has seen a sharp decline since 1980.
- FactThe primary driver for Ganga's decline is intensive groundwater pumping for irrigation.
- BodyThe study was conducted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gandhinagar.
- Intl. orgThe 1960 Indus Waters Treaty allocates eastern rivers to India and western rivers to Pakistan.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the implications of diverging river flow patterns on water security and the sustainability of the Indus Waters Treaty in the context of groundwater depletion.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Resource conflict: Competition between surface water availability and escalating groundwater extraction for irrigation
- Treaty vulnerability: Impact of hydrological shifts on the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty's allocation framework
- Management gap: Lack of integrated surface and groundwater management to prevent river drying
Keywords: Water Security · Groundwater Depletion · Indus Waters Treaty · Hydrological Divergence · Sustainable Water Management
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