Context:
India welcomes the decision on the competence of the Neutral Expert to address issues regarding IWT
Indus Water Treaty, 1960:
- Aim – To establishes a framework for collaboration and sharing of information between India and Pakistan regarding the utilization of the water of the Indus River and its 5 tributaries.
- Signatories – India, Pakistan and World Bank.
- Allocation of Rivers for unrestricted use –
- India –3 eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej)
- Pakistan – 3 western rivers (Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum)[80% of water share]
- Established Permanent Indus Commission for both the countries.
- Meeting – At least once a year.
- India’s Rights over Pakistan Rivers –
- Allows certain agricultural uses
- Allows to build ‘run of the river’ hydropower projects i.e. projects not requiring live storage of water.
- Provides a 3-step dispute resolution mechanism.
- Permanent Commission/inter-government level
- Appointing Neutral Expert by World Bank
- Court of Arbitration
Indus River:
- Origin – Bokhar Chu glaciers of Kailas Range (near Mansarovar Lake)
- Major Tributaries – Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej
- River Basin – Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Union Territory of Chandigarh
| Major Rivers | Source | River joins with |
| Jhelum | Verinag | Chenab |
| Chenab | BaraLachaPass | Sutlej |
| Ravi | Near Rohtang Pass | Chenab |
| Beas | Near Rohtang Pass | Sutlej |
| Sutlej | Manasarovar-RakasLakes (Tibet) | Indus |
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus directly?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Chenab
(b) Jhelum
(c) Ravi
(d) Sutlej
Answer: (d)