A new report highlights the immediate threat of climate change to key river basins in South Asia, such as the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra.
These basins, which are critical to billions of people's livelihoods, are under threat from a variety of anthropogenic activities and shifting climatic patterns.
The research highlighted the urgent need for climate-resilient river basin management, notably in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH), South Asia's principal freshwater supply. Anthropogenic activities such as fast industrialization and urbanization, as well as climate change effects like escalating floods and droughts, endanger both human health and the ecosystem.
The Ganges River, in particular, suffers from severe pollution and ecological degradation, and the Indus basin is under unprecedented stress, threatening food security and water availability. Similarly, the Brahmaputra basin is expected to have greater flooding and droughts, exacerbated by dam construction and glacial melting rates.
Despite the urgency, basin governance is fragmented, with no multilateral agreements to address climate consequences adequately. The paper advocates for inclusive policies, adaptive infrastructure, and regional cooperation to reduce climate risks and provide water security for millions of South Asians. Collaborative activities involving local people and informed by varied perspectives are judged critical for navigating the difficulties of climate change and protecting livelihoods in the region.
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