*

the most sacred Hindu river so depleted that the Sundarban wetlands and mangrove forests of Bangladesh are seriously threatened the river has been the subject of a long-running dispute between India and Bangladesh, although recently progress has been made in resolving the conflict

The Ganges is 2506 km long.

The Ganges Valley, or basin, is 322 to 644 km wide. The river starts from an ice cave under the Gangotri glacier on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, 3,140 meters above sea level.

India has built a barrage just before the Ganges enters Bangladesh in order to keep the port of Calcutta open during summer. Bangladesh complains that the diversion leaves little water in the river, turning its southwestern parts into a desert. Both countries made an agreement in 1996 to share the river water but the problem won't go unless serious effort is made to improve the dryseason flow.

Possesses strong economic and religious importance. With increasing demands of water in Calcutta for industrial and domestic use, and irrigation use in the Indian state of West Bengal, water conflicts between the two countries have increased. With large amounts of pollution in this river system, the available water is unsanitary and can increase illness, as well as trigger mass migration.

GANGES WATER SHARING TREATY

On 12 December, 1996 Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India signed a treaty on sharing of Ganges water. Validity for thirty years subject to review by the two governments at five years intervals or as desired by either signatory. Either party can seek the first review after two years to assess the impact. Sharing to be by ten-day periods from January1-May31 every year. Sharing will be on 50:50 basis, if the availability at Farakka is less than 70,000 cusecs*.
1 cusec is equal to 2447 m3/day

GANGES WATER SHARING TREATY

Bangladesh will get 35,000 cusecs and India the balance of flow if the availability at Farakka is between 70,000 and 75,000 cusecs. India will receive 75,000 cusecs and Bangladesh the rest in case of availability of 75,000cusecs or more. During the critical month of April Bangladesh will get a guaranteed flow of 35,000 cusecs in the first and last ten days of April, and 27,633 cusecs during the period 11-20April. If flow falls below 50,000 cusecs in any ten-day period the two governments will enter into immediate consultations to make emergency adjustments.

The benefits for Bangladesh are: Treaty of long-term duration unlike the previous MOUs. De-linkage from the question of augmentation. Fail-safe provision to prevent treaty vacuum. A much better deal than any previous agreement.

SOURCES
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/25/world/sharing-ganges-waters-india-andbangladesh-test-the-depth-of-cooperation.html http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/indobang.htm news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/683566.stm

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/HF08Df04.html
http://www.jstor.org/pss/30172438 http://www.cyberbangladesh.org/ganges.html