Context:
Nepal-India official dialogue silent on landmark Pancheshwar project
Pancheshwar Dam:
- Pancheshwar Dam – Bi-national hydropower project to be developed on Mahakali River bordering Nepal and India.
- Part of – Mahakali Treaty.
- Project – Construction of equal-sized powerhouses of 3240MV on each side of Mahakali river in India and Nepal.
- Benefit –
- Irrigation facilities to a vast area of agricultural land both in Nepal and India
- Benefit of flood control downstream
- Issue – Lack of consensus between India and Nepal on sharing of benefits
Mahakali Treaty:
- Mahakali Treaty – Treaty between Nepal and India regarding the development of the watershed of Mahakali River.
- Signed in – 1996
- Aim – Integrated development of the Mahakali River, including projects like the Sarada Barrage, Tanakpur Barrage, and Pancheshwar Project.
- Provisions –
- It recognizes the Mahakali River as a boundary river between the two countries.
- Provides for the establishment of Mahakali River Commission
Mahakali River:
- Also called – Sharda River, Kali River and Mahakali River
- Originates at – Kalapani in Uttarakhand, India.
- Flows along – Nepal’s western border with India.
- Joins – Ghaghra River, a tributary of the Ganges.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritisation and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Japan
(b) Russia
(c) The United Kingdom
(d) The United States of America
Answer: (b)
