Integrated basin management for the Ganges: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Integrated river basin management (IRBM) emphasizes the need for managing the river as a system irrespective of administrative boundaries. Although IRBM is being adopted for many trans-boundary rivers, progress can be slow, particularly where there is a history of dispute. The Ganges basin in South Asia is one such case that experienced numerous conflicts over water between the riparian states, notably between India and Bangladesh. The power imbalance between states, mistrust and antagonism, prevailing national interest over the regional benefit, and most importantly lack of an effective institutional mechanism contributed to the complexity of implementing IRBM in the Ganges context. Despite these challenges, there is a consensus about the significant benefits that could be gained through multilateral regional cooperation over water. This paper analyses the challenges of multilateral cooperation towards IRBM in the Ganges context and examines the scope for overcoming these challenges. The paper argues that IRBM in the Ganges context depends on cooperation towards a basin-wide management approach, and a basin organization is a prerequisite to that. It suggests creation of a basin organization in the Ganges context by sharing experiences from other parts of the world and concludes with a framework for adopting IRBM in the Ganges basin.