The sharing of cross boundary water resources in south Asia: a Bangladesh India case study

Abstract

Over almost 25 years there existed an equitable water sharing problem between Bangladesh and India which has been partially resolved under the Ganga treaty signed in December 1996. The thesis analyzes this example of cross boundary water sharing using the existing literature and the data which is publicly available. The study covers the geo-physical background, the water disputes, the environmental impact on Bangladesh and the extent of known damage. In the process it also discusses the existing international legal regime and the efforts made by the United Nations on this subject. Finally, an attempt is made to highlight the present situation between Bangladesh and India and the possible future courses of action for sharing the other 53 international rivers. Short term and long term solutions to national and regional cross boundary water resource sharing and management are suggested.