The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, round which are intertwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and her defeats. She has been a symbol of Indias age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga.

-Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India

Ganges-Brahmaputra-Barak BasinHas multiple-use potential for its abundant water resources.IrrigationPower GenerationIndustrial developmentFisheriesNavigationLeast developed region in the world.

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Barak BasinThe basin is shared by Bangladesh (7%), Bhutan, China, India (80%), and Nepal.Positions of each country in relation to each other

Dams on the GangaDam diverting Himalayan snowmelt to Upper Ganges Canal.Farakka Barrage diverts water from Ganges into the Bhagirathi RiverCaused dispute between Bangladesh and IndiaGanges Water Treaty of 1996

*Subject to the condition that India and Bangladesh each shall receive guaranteed 35,000 cusecs of water in alternate three 10-day periods during the period March 1 to May 10.

Pollution in the BasinLeather industryOne billion liters of raw sewage a dayInadequate cremation techniques.The Ganga Action Plan India attempts to clean up?

Hindu myth in the BasinBathing in water will cleanse sins and is life-long mission.Waters cleanse any place or object.Ashes of dead in the river will carry souls to paradise.

Nowhere is the problem of cooperation between riparian neighbors as critical as in the Ganges-Brahnaputra basin in South Asia. Nowhere are the benefits from cooperation as spectacular for the futures of the countries involved, and nowhere is the penalty for non-cooperation as devastating

Former Secretary of India

Questions for Discussion1.Why have the riparian states sharing the basin not taken advantage of the vast economical potential of their water resources?2.What effect may the Hindu religious beliefs regarding the Ganga have on future water agreements?3.What effect will Chinas lack of participation in basin hydropolitics have on any decision made by India, Bangledesh, Bhutan, and Nepal?4.Are the current bilateral agreements between India and the other riparian states effective?5.Is the Ganges Water Treaty between Bangledesh and India a good solution to the water allocation issues between the two states? What effects could harsh weather conditions have on the agreement?6.Should an agreement such as the Ganges Water Treaty include agreements regarding pollution, additional water projects, and environmental issues? Or should one issue be tackled at a time?7. What affect may third party involvement have on the basin hydropolitics?