Himalayan Water Resources: Ecological and Political Aspects of Management

The Himalayan mountain system is the source of one of the world's largest supplies of fresh water. Major rivers include the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong, and Yangtse. In some years one or more of these rivers and their tributaries cause devastating floods, yet their waters are also the lifeblood of one of the greatest concentrations of population on earth. This paper reviews the ecological aspects of water management and discusses a wide range of socioeconomic and political issues. The enormous hydroelectric potential is partially offset by the hazardous factors of slope instability, high sediment discharge, extremes in flow, and vulnerability of structures to seismic activity. Ecological and hydrological data are unavailable and recent developments are biassed in favor of macro-projects for the benefits of industry and the economy of the plains. The complex of issues is exaggerated by political rivalries within the region, both international and intra-national. The Kosi Barrage and associated embankments are detailed as a case study; the Tehri Dam is discussed as a focal point of conflict and unrest. The conclusion emphasizes the need for major institutional changes and for attention to micro-projects and the well-being of mountain communities, as well as for sharing and publicizing ecological and hydrological data. Without substantial rethinking, the possibility for sustainable utilization of this great natural resource is remote, and the prospects for dissipation of vast resources, and even irreparable damage, are considerable. RESUME Ressources en eau himalayennes: Aspects icologiques et politiques de la gestion. Le systeme de montagnes himalayen constitue l'un des plus grands bassins hydrographiques du monde, englobant l'Indus, le Gange, le Brahmaputra, l'Irrawadi, le Salween, le Mekong et le Yang Tse Kiang. Certaines annees, l'un ou plusieurs de ces fleuves et affluents provoquent des inondations devastatrices, mais ces eaux constituent egalement I'6l'ment vital de l'une des plus grosses concentrations de population du monde. Cet article passe en revue les aspects ecologiques de la gestion des ressources en eau et examine un grand nombre de questions socioeconomiques et politiques. L 6norme potentiel hydroblectrique est partiellement contrecarre par un certain nombre de facteurs tels que l'instabilite des versants, un transport solide bleve, des debits extremes et la vulnerabiliti des ouvrages i l'activite seismique. Les donnees c der Tehri Damm wird als Mittelpunkt von Auseinandersetzungen und Unruhen diskutiert. Abschlieflend wird der Wert von einschneidenden institutionellen Malnahmen hervorgehoben und es wird betont, daB Kleinprojekten mehr Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt werden muB. Eine solide Lebensbasis ffir die Berggemeinden sowie der Austausch und die Ver6ffentlichung von 6kologischen und hydrologischen Daten sind wichtige Faktoren. Ohne einschneidende Veranderungen sind die Aussichten, diese groBe Naturressource weiterhin zu nutzen, gering, und es k6nnten groBe Ressourcen verschwendet und irreparabler Schaden angerichtet werden. 'Visiting Professor (Research), International Academy of the Environment, 1231 Conches, Geneva, Switzerland 2Member, Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST), Kathmandu, Nepal ? International Mountain Society and United Nations University This content downloaded from 157.55.39.108 on Fri, 17 Jun 2016 06:20:21 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 2 / MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT