Why in news:

• Haryana and Rajasthan have recently formalized an agreement to share water from the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal, specifically utilizing excess water flowing from Haryana's Hathnikund barrage. This agreement aims to address long-standing water-sharing disputes and improve water access for both states.

Key Points:

Background of the SYL Canal

• The Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal was conceived as a solution to facilitate equitable water distribution between Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
• The canal's origins trace back to the 1981 water-sharing agreement, which aimed to allocate surplus waters from the Sutlej and Beas rivers among these states. However, the construction of the canal has been mired in legal and political disputes, particularly between Punjab and Haryana, leading to significant delays and complications in water allocation.
• The need for the SYL canal arose after Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966. The new state required its share of river waters, which led to the proposal of linking the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers.
• This agreement was pivotal as it outlined the distribution of river waters among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. However, Punjab's reluctance to share its water resources has been a major point of contention.

Key Aspects of the Agreement between Haryana and Rajasthan

• Joint Project Report: Both states will collaboratively prepare a detailed project report for transferring Rajasthan's allocated share of Yamuna water through underground pipelines.
• Target Areas: The agreement specifically aims to benefit regions in Rajasthan such as Jhunjhunu and Churu, which have been historically underserved in terms of water supply.

Implications for Water management in the region

The agreement is expected to have several implications:

• Enhanced water security: By sharing excess water from the Hathnikund barrage, both states can improve their agricultural productivity and ensure better drinking water availability.
• Conflict resolution: This MoU will potentially serve as a step towards resolving long-standing disputes over water sharing between Haryana and Punjab, potentially setting a precedent for future agreements involving Rajasthan.