Olejar Books

Unless they are torn apart by tectonic action, Nepal and India have to live and engage with each other in many spheres: social, economic and political. Of all the engagements two countries have to deal with, the issue of water resources is the most important and at the same time a very sensitive issue, because water is the most important natural resource that Nepal possesses, although most of it has yet to be exploited. The size and topography of Nepal means that she needs to cooperate with her southern neighbours to gain optimum benefit from her more than 6,000 rivers. Similarly, her neighbours could benefit immensely if this resource were harnessed so that each country could benefit: if the rivers flowing from Nepal are properly harnessed, they will contribute substantially to the socio-economic development, not only of the people of Nepal but also hundreds of millions living in the Gangetic belts of India and Bangladesh. There are both people-to-people and official aspects to the water resources relationship between Nepal and India, the former existing from time immemorial and the latter since at least the time of British India, as set down in a number of treaties. The 11 chapters that make up this monograph provide a masterly guide to the entire spectrum of water-related issues that tie India and Nepal together, describing the historical perspective, economic and development issues, flooding, hydropower and energy trading, seaport access via canals and waterways and their environmental impact, personal reflections of the power interplay between the countries, and an epilogue. Audience: This book will be of interest to researchers and scientists, professionals and policymakers in water resources management and environmental science, conservation policy and development research.