River Disputes in South Asia

 The South Asian region faces a number of challenges which sets off and catalyzes the water tensions. Firstly, it is a heavily populated region of over 2.5 billion people. If China is included in this statistics the pressure on these finite water resources gets further accentuated.

Secondly, most countries in the region are facing water scarcity as a result of which many people do not have access to sufficient drinking water and sanitation. With the burgeoning population, water stress will only grow. For instance, demand for water resources in India is expected to double and exceed 1.4 trillion cubic meters by 2050. Besides, Pakistan faces the greatest water crunch.

According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2006-07, water supply was just over 1000 cubic metres per person. A fall below the mark would make it a water scarce country. Climate change in the Himalayan basin increases the problem of water insecurity manifold. According to reports current trends indicate that the three major Himalayan rivers could become seasonal rivers once glaciers melt in the coming three decades.

The problem of water scarcity exacerbating hydro-politics gets worsened by the fact that most of these countries are agrarian economies requiring water-fed irrigation facilities. Water resources are also required to feed demands of industrialization and urbanization.

The thirst for energy, especially hydro-power is both widespread and pressing. Aggravating the gravity is the gross mismanagement of water resources and lack of adequate water storage facilities. The regional water disputes are also clearly a legacy of the colonial past.

The partition of the sub-continent did not coincide with the transboundary river systems in the region but was based on religious parameters. The lack of trust, confidence and political acrimony marking the partition of India, Pakistan and then the creation of Bangladesh still resonates in resource disputes.

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