History of River Management in South Asia: Economic and Environmental Perspective

Abstract

Human civilization began in South Asia at ancient period because rivers flown in this part was essential for human settlement. From then, human settlements in this part are always river-centric. From the initiation to at present, this river-centric civilization evolves because of its inhabitant’s frequent interaction with rivers. From the above backdrop, this paper explains what factors influence and shape the current practices of human interactions with the rivers in the regions. In this context, the paper incorporates the methods of Environmental Economic History –by examining the interaction between human cultures and the environment in the past while focusing on specific causal relationships, within a broader and more complex environment that includes knowledge, institutions and economic opportunities. This brief overview of environmental economic history sheds light on the impacts of economic incentives as well as the geographic endowments on historical and future development of the region.