Water policy, climate change and adaptation in South Asia

Abstract

Scarcity will affect nearly two-thirds of the world in the near future. The impacts of climate change are likely to exacerbate these problems and unless appropriate adaptation strategies are adopted, resilience is difficult to achieve. The paper surveys the water resources available in South Asian countries and takes into account the projected climate change impacts on these resources. The paper also analyses the water policies and formulates a conceptual water policy framework in which adaptation is central.

Keywords:

• South Asia
• Water
• Climate change
• Adaptation

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to express their deepest and sincere gratitude to Dr Michael Brett-Crowther (Editor, International Journal of Environmental Studies) for his continuous support, guidance and encouragement.