Conflict Management for The Farakka Barrage

The Ganges River is the most important source for water resources for both Bangladesh & India, and resulting in many conflicts arising between these two countries. Farakka Barrage is a low height dam, constructed mainly to divert water back into the Hoogly-Bhagirathi channel. The first water sharing agreement regarding Farakka was signed between India & Bangladesh, on 5/11/1977, for the duration of 5 years. After 14 years, an agreement between Bangladesh & India on Sharing the Ganges water "Ganges Water Sharing Treaty" signed on 12 December 1996. Water is a source of conflict, mistrusts, and disputes between the three riparian states of Ganges basin Indian diversions of Ganges water through Farakka barrage, is a long-term source of tremendous political tensions, mistrust and non- cooperation between India and Bangladesh. Flooding in monsoon and reduction of flow on dry season causes tremendous socio-economic & environmental loss for Bangladesh like agriculture, fishery, navigation, industry & vegetation. It has severely affected the downstream river regime of the Ganges- Padma in Bangladesh.