Conflict and Cooperation on South Asia's International Rivers: A Legal Perspective

Water resources management is receiving increasing attention worldwide due to the considerable challenges that face the quantitative and qualitative aspects of water. These challenges are attributed to a multitude of factors, including the significant increase in population, urbanization and environmental degradation. Such factors are more apparent in the South Asian Sub-continent (Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan) than many other parts of the world. Moreover, the problems of the Sub-continent are compounded by the fact that it encompasses some 20 major international rivers. As a result, the Sub-continent has had to deal with some of the most difficult disputes over international rivers, while at the same time it has been successful in designing some interesting methods for cooperation.
This book, by Dr. Salman M.A. Salman and Dr. Kishor Uprety, focuses on the hydro-politics and legal regime of international water in the Sub-continent. It discusses the bilateral treaty regimes between India and Pakistan, India and Nepal, and India and Bangladesh over some of the major shared rivers between them. The book also provides an overview of main issues and common elements regarding shared rivers among those countries.

The authors are recognized experts in their fields. M. A. Salman is Lead Counsel in the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development and International Law Group of the World Bank's Legal Vice Presidency. He has published extensively in the area of water law. Kishor Uprety is Senior Counsel in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia Law Group of the World Bank's Legal Vice Presidency and has written widely on international law and development issues.