In news : Recently, the top officials of water resources ministries of India and Bangladesh met to discuss issues related to river water-sharing and flood forecasting and to enhance cooperation on controlling pollution in trans-boundary water bodies
Key updates
- Officials from both sides discussed sharing of waters of the Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dudh Kumar and Dharla rivers.
- They also discussed for further cooperation in the area of flood forecasting. It included talks on cooperation over flood forecasting of the Atrai, Punarbhaba and Tangon rivers that enter India from Bangladesh.
- As of now the system of transmission of flood forecasting data on major rivers like the Ganga, Teesta, Brahmaputra and the Barak during the monsoon season from India to Bangladesh is already there.
- Both sides discussed drawing water from the Feni river for Sabroom town in Tripura.
- The official also discussed issues related to controlling pollution of trans-boundary rivers. On its part, Bangladesh pointed out the issue of pollution in Akhaura canal(It takes waste from Agartala city and flows into Bangladesh)
Mechanism to address water issues between India & Bangladesh
Both the countries have a robust mechanism in place to address water issues at different levels.For this, Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) is functioning since 1972A new chapter in the Indo-Bangladesh relations opened up with signing of a Treaty by the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh on 12th December 1996 on the sharing of Ganga/Ganges waters
About Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission (JRC)
- It was established with a view to maintain liaison in order to ensure the most effective joint effort in maximising the benefits from common river systems.
- It was established under the Indo-Bangla Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace that was signed on March 19, 1972 and came into being in November, 1972.
- As per the treaty, the two nations established the commission to work for the common interests and sharing of water resources, irrigation, floods and cyclones control.
- This enables meetings at the levels of ministers, secretaries and technical experts.
- The JRC is headed by Water Resources Ministers of both the countries.
Source: Indian Express
