We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Elevating river basin management and cooperation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region: Insights and recommendations
Summary
This review synthesizes insights from three reports on the Brahmaputra, Indus, and Ganga River basins in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, examining governance arrangements for shared transboundary water resources amid climate change. The study recommends multilateral cooperation among basin countries to ensure equitable water access for both upstream and downstream communities.
The Brahmaputra, Indus, and Ganga River basins are vital lifelines for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, supplying freshwater and essential ecosystem services to millions of people living in both the mountains and the vast downstream plains. These are shared basins that transcend the borders of multiple countries. To enhance water cooperation in the HKH, all basin countries need to work together to ensure governance arrangements that benefit upstream and downstream communities, helping them adapt to a changing climate. This summary presents the key points from three reports published by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Australian Water Partnership, in 2024, on ‘Elevating river basin management and cooperation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region’. These reports look into the basin governance in the Brahmaputra, Ganges and the Indus River Basins.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Rejuvenation of the Springs in the Hindu Kush Himalayas Through Transdisciplinary Approaches—A Review
This review examines the declining water output from natural springs across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, which provides water to millions of people. Factors including climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable land use are reducing spring discharge, threatening rural agriculture and driving urban migration. The authors advocate for a combined approach that integrates scientific monitoring with community-based interventions and public-private partnerships to restore and sustain these critical water sources.
Elevating river basin governance and cooperation in the HKH region: Summary report II, Ganges River Basin
This report reviews governance of the Ganges River Basin, emphasizing the need for multilateral cooperation on water management for the 600 million people who depend on it. Improved river basin governance is also relevant to reducing plastic pollution from rivers to the ocean, as the Ganges is one of the world's most significant plastic-carrying rivers.
Microplastic pollution in the glaciers, lakes, and rivers of the Hindu Kush Himalayas: Knowledge gaps and future perspectives
This review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in the glaciers, lakes, and rivers of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, which supplies water to billions of people across Asia. Microplastics have been detected throughout these once-pristine water systems, carried by wind, tourism, and meltwater. The contamination of these critical freshwater sources is concerning because they feed into the drinking water and irrigation systems that millions of people depend on.
Current State of Plastic Use and Available Alternatives in the Himalaya: Challenges and Way Forward
This systematic review examines the current state of plastic use and pollution in the Himalayan region and explores available alternatives. The findings show that plastic waste is increasingly contaminating mountain water sources and ecosystems, which threatens the health of downstream communities who depend on Himalayan rivers for drinking water and agriculture.
Addressing water resource management challenges in the context of climate change and human influence
This study identifies and documents the key challenges facing water resource management due to the combined pressures of climate change and human activity. Researchers found that droughts, floods, sea-level rise, and pollution are threatening both water quality and public health on a global scale. The study emphasizes that more sustainable approaches to water governance and infrastructure are urgently needed to address the growing gap between water supply and demand.