- Bangladesh river experts have criticized the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty as flawed and in urgent need of updating ahead of its upcoming renewal. - Key criticisms include declining dry-season water availability at Farakka, changing climate patterns, and ecological degradation of the basin. - The debate underscores the complex nature of hydro-diplomacy in South Asia, balancing upstream developmental needs with downstream environmental and livelihood concerns. - **Ganga Water Treaty 1996:** A 30-year bilateral agreement signed in December 1996 between India and Bangladesh to share the dry-season waters (January 1 to May 31) of the Ganga River, primarily based on flows at the Farakka Barrage. - **Indus Waters Treaty:** A 1960 water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, governing the use of the Indus River system's six transboundary rivers. - **Bangladesh Water Development Board:** A key public sector engineering organization under Bangladesh's Ministry of Water Resources responsible for implementing flood control, drainage, irrigation projects, and hydrological data monitoring. **Introduction** A Bangladesh river expert has termed the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty 'flawed' and called for its revision, highlighting emerging ecological and climate challenges that affect dry-season water sharing between India and Bangladesh. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - Bangladesh river experts have criticized the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty as flawed and in urgent need of updating ahead of its upcoming renewal. - Key criticisms include declining dry-season water availability at Farakka, changing climate patterns, and ecological degradation of the basin. - The debate underscores the complex nature of hydro-diplomacy in South Asia, balancing upstream developmental needs with downstream environmental and livelihood concerns. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Ganga Water Treaty 1996:** A 30-year bilateral agreement signed in December 1996 between India and Bangladesh to share the dry-season waters (January 1 to May 31) of the Ganga River, primarily based on flows at the Farakka Barrage. - **Indus Waters Treaty:** A 1960 water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, governing the use of the Indus River system's six transboundary rivers. - **Bangladesh Water Development Board:** A key public sector engineering organization under Bangladesh's Ministry of Water Resources responsible for implementing flood control, drainage, irrigation projects, and hydrological data monitoring.