Sustainable Management Options for Healthy Rivers in South Asia: The Case of Brahmaputra (original) (raw)
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Ecologist Asia, Vol. 11 No.1 January-March 2003, 2003
The paper presents basic information about the geomorphic, hydrological, sedimentological, climatic, hazardscape of the Brahmaputra River with especial focus ono the Indian part of the river and its basin. With this backdrop the paper highlights the large hydropower development projects promoted by the Government of India on the Brahmaputra and its tributaries and provides a commentary on the pros and cons of such mega development plans.
Integrated water management of the Brahmaputra basin: Perspectives and hope for regional development
Natural Resources Forum
Water is strongly linked with the overall development framework of the Brahmaputra basin. However, the absence of integrated management of Brahmaputra water resources and lack of coordination among the riparian states constitutes an ongoing threat to future development plans within the basin. Brahmaputra's abundant hydropower potential can help give riparian countries a safer energy future that is the key driving force behind the prospect of potential cooperation. This paper analyses the current status of Brahmaputra water resources and identifies the perspectives of riparian countries regarding the development of the Brahmaputra basin. It also identifies the opportunities for cooperation and regional development through integrated water development and management of the Brahmaputra basin. It is essential to develop an integrated water resources management approach involving all riparians to foster regional development and overcome the prospect of severe water conflict along the Brahmaputra basin.
Natural Resources Forum, 2009
Water is strongly linked with the overall development framework of the Brahmaputra basin. However, the absence of integrated management of Brahmaputra water resources and lack of coordination among the riparian states constitutes an ongoing threat to future development plans within the basin. Brahmaputra's abundant hydropower potential can help give riparian countries a safer energy future that is the key driving force behind the prospect of potential cooperation. This paper analyses the current status of Brahmaputra water resources and identifies the perspectives of riparian countries regarding the development of the Brahmaputra basin. It also identifies the opportunities for cooperation and regional development through integrated water development and management of the Brahmaputra basin. It is essential to develop an integrated water resources management approach involving all riparians to foster regional development and overcome the prospect of severe water conflict along the Brahmaputra basin.
Water Management in the Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin: Emerging Challenges for the 21st Century
International Journal of Water Resources Development, 1995
In the background of increasing global consciousness that scarcity of water will become a major obstacle to sustainable development in the next century, this paper analyses the future challenges in water resource planning and m anagement in the Ganges± Brahmaputra basin in Asia. It analyses the problems of water scarcity and regular annual¯ooding in some parts of the basin with the help of its geomorphological and climatic peculiarities. The ecological sustainability and economic viability of big dams in the Himalaya are examined. The problems of undertaking joint projects on water resources between the upstream countries of N epal and Bhutan and the downstream country of India are analysed. Sim ilarly, the problem of the sharing of Ganges waters between India and Bangladesh is presented. The paper sum marizes some m ain elem ents of the challenges to be faced in the imm ediate future in order that the densely populated river basin can keep open the options of sustainable developm ent in the future.
An Analysis of Transboundary Water Resources: A Case Study of River Brahmaputra
Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 1970
The need for water management on hydrological boundaries is mainly triggered by the growing competition for water or by the need to cooperate in an upstream downstream relation. For an institution operating on political boundaries, not coinciding with the boundaries of the river basin, it is very difficult to allocate or prioritise water or carry out flood control measures. A system of water management on political boundaries will induce the respective authorities to either monopolise the water supply sources within its area and to transfer the problem of flooding to downstream. In this article it is attempted to explore the major transboundary issues that need to be addressed in the whole Brahmaputra River basin. Sharing of resources, sharing of basic data and information and protection and preservation of ecosystem are identified as three major issues. In this context, controversial legal issues between the riparian nations in the past were also analysed which has triggered the sc...
The Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna (GBM) river system flows through five countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, and Nepal – characterized by large population, limited land resources, and frequent floods and natural hazards. Although the GBM region is well endowed with water sources, this is one of the poorest regions in the world. Its economy and human and environmental health depend on water, and water is thus at the heart of sustainable development, economic growth, and poverty reduction. This paper examines the opportunities for, and potential socio-economic benefits of, water resource management in the GBM region in the face of changing climate. It argues that water can be an entry point for addressing challenges common to the region, particularly through multi-purpose river projects that store monsoon water, mitigate the effects of floods and droughts, augment dry season river flows, expand irrigation and navigation facilities, generate hydropower, and enhance energy and environmental security. The paper emphasizes the importance of effective regional cooperation in water management to achieve these benefits. Upstream–downstream interdependencies necessitate development of a shared river system in an integrated and collaborative manner.
Sustainable Development of Water Resources in India
Environmental Management, 1997
The Brahmaputra and Barak River Basins are, along with the Ganges River, major parts of the Meghna Basin. The Brahmaputra and Barak River system covers more than half of the area of the north eastern region of India and has particular opportunities for sustainable development, as well as distinct challenges. Located in the high rainfall zone of India, the Brahmaputra and Barak Basins feature a water resources potential much above the requirement, unlike the rest of India, where water shortages are alarmingly escalating. A major ordeal is the frequent floods and the strong bank erosion, affecting the entire socioeconomic scenario of the region, and also disturbing the ecological balance, in addition to the loss of life and properties. Efforts have been made (and are in progress) to deal with these problems, but the scale of the challenge is overwhelming. This paper describes approaches to reducing the menace of flood and bank erosion through proper planning, community participation, and application of contemporary technologies, for identification of needs and opportunities, and for understanding the governing cause-effect relationships and the related management options. Hereby, the basis will be extended for timely and appropriate decisions on responsive as well as pro-active development, in support of the region's socioeconomic prosperity and environmental health in general, and improved disaster resilience in particular.