Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 8.2
Estimates of Fresh Groundwater Resources of South Asia under Two
Emission Scenarios
2010
2100
Emission
Scenarios
Fresh Groundwater
(m
3
/km
2
)
Per Capita
(m
3
/ capita/ year)
Fresh Groundwater
(m
3
/km
2
)
Per Capita
(m
3
/ capita/ year)
High
117,000
468
52,000
115.6
Low
110,000
550
35,000
116.7
Source:
Adapted from Ranjan P., S. Kazama, and M. Sawemoto,
Global Environ Change
, 16, 388, 2006.
source of the 10 largest rivers in Asia (Xu et al. 2009). Thus, the rate of melting of
the Himalayan glaciers has also become a popular topic in the media (Inman 2010;
Fischetti 2011; Goldenberg 2011; Nelson and Alleyne 2011; Raloff 2011). Whether the
spatially heterogeneous rate of melting (Fujita and Nuimura 2011) is normal or cli-
mate induced remains to be seen. However, the potential of an already tense situation
between India and Pakistan could become worse as effects of climate change result
in shrinkage of water and scramble for control over the dwindling water resources
(see Section 8.7, Figure 8.1). Despite the controversy and debates, the risks of the
melting of Himalayas on water, biodiversity, and livelihoods are high (Xu et al. 2009;
Private investment
n
• Water companies
• NGOs
• Industry involvement
• Development of infrastructure
• Stengthening institutions
• Green economy
• Alleviating poverty
• Empowering underprivileged
Cost recovery
Self-governance
• Full cost recovery
• Maintenance
• Quality control
• Municipalities
• Water board
• Consumer organizations
Enhancing water access
in South Asia
• Sustainable development
• Reducing overdraft
• Recharging aquifer
• Human resources development
• Politics with principles
• Socio-ecology
Public sector
• Elected o�cials
• Accountability
• Citizen's rights
FIGURE 8.1
Options of improving water governance and reducing conflicts.
