2 South Asia and its Large Rivers: The Indus, the Mahakali and with Special Emphasis on the Ganges 1

Fresh water is emerging as the most crucial resource issue facing South Asia. The countries in South Asia, primarily India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, ² are experiencing massive population growth, and also suffering from rampant poverty in both economic and human development terms. While the availability of fresh water is limited in the region, the demand for the resource continues to expand rapidly. High population density coupled with low per capita income and a predominantly agricultural economy necessitate the sustainable water management of shared rivers. South Asia has many great rivers, particularly the Indus and the Ganges-Brahmaputra, which have been the source of riparian dispute as well as cooperation for more than 50 years.