WAY FORWARD TO SOUTH ASIAN WATER CRISIS

Abstract

South Asia is an enriched land with abundant manpower, highest glaciated mountains, long blue water coast lines, flowing rivers, vast plains, natural gas reserves etc but unfortunately, the major portion of inhabitants of this region is living below the poverty line and suffering with crises like shortage of food, energy and water. Judicious utilization of its natural resources is the only way to alleviate the basic lives of masses.  In South Asia, the state’s dependence on water becomes the utmost factor in economy which ultimately assists in achieving the goals like self-sufficiency in food stuff and power production. Consequently, the water issue has given rise to estrangement in South Asia due to heavy dependence on water sources which mainly originate from Tibet and then flow through Indus and Ganga Basins. This study describes how countries like India, China and Nepal while claiming ownership of water resources have manipulated power politics, giving rise to the phenomenon of hydro politics. On the other hand, India thinks China is manipulating water sources and creating shortage of water for her population. She is also interested in redefining or “reimagining” the Indus Water treaty. The water crisis is also a result of mismanagement, unjustified distribution of resources and violation of implementation of existing treaties. In short, the paper is aimed to diagnose and explore water issue and suggest plausible solution.