Bangladesh expert calls for overhaul of outdated Ganga Waters treaty

The Ganga Waters Sharing Treaty between India and Bangladesh requires urgent modernization to address critical gaps in its framework, according to Manjur A. Chowdhury, chairman of the Bangladesh River Conservation Commission.

Chowdhury pointed out that the treaty, now 30 years old, suffers from fundamental flaws that undermine its effectiveness in managing one of South Asia's most vital waterways. The agreement lacks a guarantee clause that would provide certainty in water allocation during varying seasonal and climatic conditions, leaving both nations vulnerable to disputes.

Ecological and environmental flow considerations represent another major shortcoming, Chowdhury noted. The treaty was negotiated without provisions to maintain minimum water flows necessary for preserving the river's ecosystem, supporting agriculture, and sustaining livelihoods across the region.

The observations underscore growing pressure from water management experts on both sides of the border to revisit bilateral agreements governing transboundary rivers. As climate change intensifies water scarcity concerns and upstream development projects multiply, stakeholders argue that 1996-era frameworks are ill-equipped to address contemporary challenges.

The Ganga, flowing through multiple Indian states before crossing into Bangladesh, serves hundreds of millions of people. Experts suggest that updated protocols incorporating environmental protections and guaranteed minimum flows could help prevent future conflicts while ensuring sustainable management of the shared resource.