The wars of the next century will be about water" World Bank vice-president Ismail Serageldin(quoted in New York

Times, 10 August 1995).

Fierce competition for fresh water may well become a source of conflict and wars in the future. Kofi Annan, March 2001

WATER- A MAJOR CONCERN

Most of the worlds waterabout 97.5 percentexists as salt water

in the oceans and seas.

Of the worlds 2.5 percent of freshwater, roughly 99 percent is either

trapped in glaciers and ice caps, held as soil moisture, or located in water tables too deep to access.
Thus, only about one percent of the worlds total freshwater supply

is readily available for consumption by humans, animals and for irrigation.

Water security is emerging as an increasingly important Population growth continues to surge, the demand for water is

increasing substantially, without a concomitant increase in water resources

In South Asia, conflict over freshwater has strained relations

between India and Bangladesh, as well as India and Pakistan.

INDUS RIVER BASIN

CAUVERY RIVER

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses

Contending Water Uses:

Water is a common pool resource

Contention between different kinds of uses

The issue is one of rapidly decreasing water supply amidst a

growing number of users who require larger quantities with every passing year

Case of Keoladeo National Park,

Case of Vadali village of Gujarat and

The Majuli island case.

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses

Population Growth and Demand

Population Growth and Demand

Growing population and changing values have increased pressure on existing water supplies

Urban needs often conflict with agricultural needs, as well as

with increased demand for water for endangered species, recreation, and scenic enjoyment

Conflict in the Bhavani

The Palkhed canal system of upper Godavari project

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses:

Population Growth and Demand

Pollution

Pollution

Almost 70% of its surface water resources A growing number of its groundwater reserves are already contaminated by biological, toxic organic and inorganic pollutants Unsafe for human consumption as well as for other activities such as irrigation and industrial needs. Kolleru wildlife sanctuary The case of khari river

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses:

Population Growth and Demand

Pollution

Micro level dispute

MICRO LEVEL DISPUTE

Conflicts on a truly micro scale within a village, a community or around a small tank
Monitoring

failure at Kanpur

Shapin

River Basin in Jharkhand

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses:

Population Growth and Demand

Pollution

Micro level dispute

Dams and Displacement

DAMS AND DISPLACEMENT

India is the third largest dam builder country in the world. It now has over 3600 large dams and over 700 more under construction.

The displacement caused by large scale irrigation and

hydro-projects

Displacement and resettlement of people is the least concern of large dam builders

Sardar

Sarovar Dam Project In Madhya Pradesh

Haripad Tehri

Dam

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses: Population Growth and Demand Pollution

Micro level dispute

Dams and Displacement Transboundary dispute

TRANSBOUNDARY DISPUTE

Disputes over shared water resources have a long history Inter-state and inter-country dispute Access to water has been a source of dispute and contention

Baglihar hydropower project (BHP) Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses: Population Growth and Demand Pollution Micro level dispute Dams and Displacement Transboundary dispute Privatisation

PRIVATISATION

Inviting private sector participation in dam and reservoir projects Opposition to the idea of `privatisation of water' Privatisation poses a threat to that commitment because once privatised, water will no longer be provided on the basis of need but on the ability to pay

LESSONS LEARNED:
Water crossing international boundaries can cause tensions between nations that share the basin. While the tension is not likely to lead to warfare, early coordination between riparian states can help ameliorate the issue. A gradual decrease in water quantity or quality, or both, is more likely than violent conflict. Over time, such water decreases can affect the internal stability of a nation or region, and act as an irritant among ethnic groups, water sectors, or states/provinces. The resulting instability may have effects in the international arena. The greatest threat of the global water crisis to human security comes from the fact that millions of people lack access to sufficient quantities of water of sufficient quality for their well-being.

CONCLUSIONS:
1. An institutional framework for joint management and dispute resolution

2. Early intervention is also beneficial to the process of conflict resolution

3. Water disputes can be resolved through active dialog among disciplines.

But the water problems of our world need not be only a cause of tension; they can also be a catalyst for cooperationIf we work together, a secure and sustainable water future can be ours. Kofi Annan, February 2002

RICHA RAI(ROLL-39) SHUBHA(ROLL-49)