Revisiting Inter and Intra-State Water Security Paradigms in South Asia
Abrar Kazi*
Zulfiqar Halepoto**
Fresh water situation the world over is worsening because per capita fresh water availability is rapidly declining in direct proportion to the galloping world population (UNESCO IHP 2003).[1] Pakistan and India which predominantly depend on rivers fed by snow melt, as against rain fed, are doubly at risk because climate change has injected uncertainty in the calculations.[2]

The traditional water related rivalry between several states of South Asia, especially Pakistan and India, and  the orthodox solutions, including building large storage dams to store water[3], being peddled, are bound to land their people (and even South Asia) into irretrievable crisis. The states’ outdated and impractical thinking towards their water security, will not only lead into a cul-de-sac, but will also cause irreparable damage to the environment, flora and fauna and aquatic life of rich deltas of riparian states.

This paper will discuss the repercussions of pursuing flawed and archaic policies by Pakistan and India regarding their water resource management and security and will suggest a holistic and inclusive water related development framework, following which a simple and sustainable water solutions can be found. The paper will further suggest measures for better management of water resources; creation of new water resources (excluding building of large dams); and measures for food security despite decreased water availability. A water security paradigm seen through a holistic and inclusive development prism is likely to be a way forward for South Asia.

References

Mayewski, P.A. and Jeschke, P.A. 1979, ‘Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan Glacier Fluctuations since AD 1812’, Arctic and Alpine Research, vol. 11, no. 3 (Aug.), , accessed 28 Oct. 2013.

UNESCO IHP 2003, ‘Water Security and Peace: A Synthesis of Studies prepared under the PCCP–Water for Peace Process (An UNESCO–Green Cross International Initiative)’, IHP-VI, Technical Documents in Hydrology, PC-CP Series, no. 29, W.J.Cosgrave (ed.), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP), Paris, France, , accessed 28 Oct. 2013.

 

[1] A UNESCO IHP (2003) report suggested that in the last 100 years while world population has increased three times, water requirements have grown more than seven times (p. 1).

[2] Asia’s seven greatest rivers, Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, Mekong, Salween, Yangtze and Huang, all originate from the Himalayas. It has been predicted that by 2050, one forth of Himalaya’s glaciers are likely to melt creating incalculable hydrological changes in these rivers (Mayewski and Jeschke 1979).    

[3] The Government of Pakistan’s ‘Water Vision 2025’ (Vision 2025 National Water and Hydropower Resources Development Programme) developed by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in 2002 advances no other solution except building storage dams in Pakistan.      

* Mr. Abrar Kazi is a water expert and political analyst. He has contributed several articles on Pakistan’s water crisis in academic journals and authored a book on Kalabagh Dam.
** Mr. Zulfiqar Halepoto is doing his PhD on river diplomacy between Pakistan and India and transboundary water cooperation through One Basin Approach at the Sindh Development Studies Centre (SDSC), University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan.