Participatory Approaches to Transboundary Water Governance in Ganga-Karnali-Ghaghara River Basin

• Both these agreements are mired in controversy and largely perceived by a large section in Nepal as insensitive to its genuine needs and requirements.

• Many of the critical issues like water and energy security of the riparian communities, hazards (such as floods), pollution, etc., have not been part of the understanding around transboundary water sharing between India and Nepal.

• Since local communities are not involved, local knowledge and experience, issues, perceptions and aspirations never enter the transboudary water sharing arrangements.

The major drawbacks of the treaty are:

1. It does not contain any provisions for arbitration, unlike most other bilateral, multilateral agreements.

2. It does not deal with water quality or pollution.

3. It lacks any community involvement and does not take into account local contexts.

Bangladesh’s alleged plan to build a barrage in Bangladesh on the Ganges is becoming another contentious issue. Apparently, the project is to be completed by 2027 and the detailed project report is ready. India is concerned that this might aggravate the flood situation in India.