Syllabus

GS 1: Distribution of key natural resources across the world and India sub-continent

GS 2: Bilateral agreements involving India

Context: 

The complete closure of floodgates at the Salal and Baglihar hydroelectric dams led to the Chenab River running almost dry near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. 

More on the News 

• This move is linked to dam replenishment as growing tensions with Pakistan.
• This came days after India decided to keep the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 in abeyance with “immediate effect”.
• Under the Indus Waters Treaty, Chenab is controlled by Pak. But India can build run-of-the-river plants on it.
• Pakistan had objected to India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, declaring that any attempt to stop waters flowing into the country would be deemed an act of war.

The Indus Waters Treaty and Chenab

• It is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, signed in 1960, that divides the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries. 
• It allocates specific rivers and their flow to each country with India having control over the eastern rivers and Pakistan having control over the western rivers. 
• The IWT identifies the Chenab as one of the three “Western Rivers” (along with the Indus and Jhelum) which Pakistan controls.
• India is allowed restricted use of the waters of the three Western Rivers for domestic use, non-consumptive use, agricultural use (as set out in Annexure C of the IWT), and generation of hydro-electric power (Annexure D).

Chenab River

• The Chenab is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, near Himachal Pradesh.
• The river flows through Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir and enters Pakistan in Punjab province, and joins the Sutlej River to form the Panjnad River. 
• India is allowed non-consumptive uses, such as hydropower generation, on the Chenab.
• Pakistan uses the Chenab's waters extensively for irrigation.