In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, India placed the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, creating a rare opportunity to reconsider how Indus water in Punjab can be more effectively utilised. While transboundary water-sharing agreements remain vital for regional stability, India must prioritise full use of its treaty entitlements before opting out of them altogether.
With rivers like the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej carrying surplus monsoon flows, especially during the rainy season, there is significant potential to harness this water for recharging Punjab’s rapidly depleting aquifers. Farmers in the region currently depend heavily on groundwater, causing water tables to drop by over a metre annually. Redirecting unused Indus water in Punjab through storage basins and recharge structures could offer a sustainable alternative and ease the mounting pressure on groundwater resources.
Acknowledgements
Vivek Singh Grewal for Hindustan Times
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