Transboundary Water Cooperation Over the Brahmaputra River Legal Political Economy Analysis of Current and Future Potential Cooperation

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Transboundary Water Cooperation Over the Brahmaputra River Legal Political Economy Analysis of Current and Future Potential Cooperation Water Diplomacy: Making Water Cooperation Work Project Report Transboundary Water Cooperation over the Brahmaputra River Legal Political Economy Analysis of Current and Future Potential Cooperation August 2017 This publication is part of the Water Diplomacy: Making Water Cooperation Work project, led by The Hague Institute for Global Justice, in collaboration with Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), UNESCO Category II Centre for International Water Cooperation (ICWC), Uppsala University, University of Otago, University College Cork, and Tufts University Water Diplomacy Program. Primary funding for this project is provided by The Hague Institute for Global Justice. This project is also financially supported by SIWI and the YEP Water Program/Netherlands Water Partnership. Authors: Yumiko Yasuda (The Hague Institute for Global Justice; ICWC; SIWI; Uppsala University), Dipankar Aich (The Hague Institute for Global Justice), Douglas Hill (University of Otago), Patrick Huntjens (The Hague Institute for Global Justice), Ashok Swain (Uppsala University). Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Hague Institute for Global Justice, any other individual, or any other organization. Citation: Yasuda, Y., Aich, D., Hill, D., Huntjens, P., Swain, A. (2017) Transboundary Water Cooperation over the Brahmaputra River: Legal Political Economy Analysis of Current and Future Potential Cooperation. The Hague Institute for Global Justice. Photo credits: Cover, pp. o, 56, 114: Yumiko Yasuda Pp. 3, 26, 79, 83: Sumit Vij Design: Juliane Schillinger, The Hague Institute for Global Justice © The Hague Institute for Global Justice, 2017 a Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank all interviewees and workshop participants for their kind contributions without whom this report would not have been possible. The research team appreciates the contribution of IUCN Asia for the research work in Bangladesh, India and Bhutan, as well as the multi-stakeholder workshop conducted for this project. Many thanks to Archana Chatterjee and Brian Furze for their kind support to this research project. The authors would like sincerely thank Marian J. Neal for taking time to provide constructive feedback to the overall research leading to this report, and Rens de Man for his coordination of the workshop in Bangkok. We are grateful for the support by Josh Weinberg for his inputs to fieldwork in China, and for providing written feedback on an earlier draft of this report. The Authors would also like to thank Bjørn-Oliver Magsig and Thom Almeida for their input to the legal analysis. We would also like to thank Juliane Schillinger for editorial and design support. Thanks also to Nick Chipperfield for carefully editing this report. b Contents List of tables .............................................................................................. e List of figures ............................................................................................. e List of abbreviations .................................................................................... f List of legal instruments .............................................................................. g Executive summary ..................................................................................... i 1. Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 2. Methodology .......................................................................................... 4 2.1 Research background and objectives .................................................... 4 2.2 Development of conceptual and analytical framework ............................. 4 2.3 Data collection and analysis ................................................................ 8 2.4 Report structure .............................................................................. 10 3. Basin-wide context ............................................................................... 11 3.1 Physical geography of the Brahmaputra River ...................................... 11 3.2 Socio-economic situation related to the Brahmaputra ........................... 15 3.3 Alterations to the river ...................................................................... 17 3.4 Political context ............................................................................... 17 3.5 Interdependency .............................................................................. 18 3.6 Chapter conclusion ........................................................................... 19 4. Overview of cooperation along the Brahmaputra River .............................. 20 4.1 Track I: Bilateral cooperation ............................................................ 20 4.2 Track I: Multilateral cooperation ........................................................ 23 4.3 Track II and III cooperation .............................................................. 23 4.4 Chapter conclusion ........................................................................... 25 5. Action situation 1: India-China cooperation .............................................. 27 5.1 Action situation, outputs and outcomes............................................... 27 5.2 Factors affecting the cooperation ....................................................... 30 5.3 Chapter conclusion and possible future action situations ....................... 37 6. Action situation 2: India-Bangladesh cooperation ..................................... 39 6.1 Action situation, outputs and outcomes............................................... 39 6.2 Factors affecting the cooperation ....................................................... 44 6.3 Chapter conclusion and potential future action situation ........................ 54 7. Action situation 3: India-Bhutan cooperation ............................................ 57 7.1 Action situation, outputs and outcomes............................................... 57 7.2 Factors affecting cooperation ............................................................. 60 7.3 Chapter conclusion and possible future action situations ....................... 68 8. Action Situation 4: Bhutan-Bangladesh cooperation .................................. 70 8.1 Action situation, outputs and outcomes............................................... 70 8.2 Factors affecting the cooperation ....................................................... 72 8.3 Chapter conclusion and possible future action situations ....................... 74 9. Action situation 5: China-Bangladesh cooperation ..................................... 75 9.1 Action situation, outputs and outcomes............................................... 75 9.2 Factors affecting the cooperation ....................................................... 75 9.3 Chapter conclusion and possible future action situations ....................... 78 10. Action Situation 6: Bhutan-China cooperation ......................................... 80 c 10.1 Action situation, outputs and outcomes ............................................. 80 10.2 Factors affecting the cooperation ...................................................... 80 10.3 Chapter conclusion and possible future action situations ..................... 82 11. Action situation 7: Ecosystem for Life .................................................... 84 11.1 Action situation, outputs and outcomes ............................................. 84 11.2 Factors affecting the cooperation ...................................................... 89 11.3 Conclusion and possible future action situations ................................. 92 12. Action situation 8: Brahmaputra Dialogue .............................................. 93 12.1 Action situation, outputs and outcomes ............................................. 93 12.2 Factors affecting the cooperation ...................................................... 95 12.3 Chapter conclusion and possible future action situations ..................... 99 13. Action situation 9: Zone of possible effective cooperation (ZOPEC)...........100 13.1 Action situation, potential outputs and outcomes ...............................101 13.2 Factors affecting ZOPEC .................................................................105 13.3 Chapter conclusion ........................................................................113 14. Conclusion: Key factors affecting cooperation on the Brahmaputra River ..115 Annex I: Indicative questions used during the interviews .............................120 Annex II: Interviews in each country .........................................................130 References .............................................................................................134 d List of tables Table 1: Percentage of the basin area by country. ........................................ 12 Table 2: Physiographic profile of Brahmaputra basin. .................................... 13 Table 3: Dimensions of Brahmaputra basin within India. ............................... 14 Table 4: Agro-climatic farming systems. ...................................................... 16 Table 5: Indo-Bangladesh Treaties on water sharing. .................................... 40 Table 6: Projects under 2006 Agreement. .................................................... 58 Table 7: India’s contribution to Bhutan’s Five-Year plans. .............................. 62 Table 8: List
Recommended publications
  • See Resource File
    Prospects and Opportunities of International Cooperation in Attaining SDG Targets in Bangladesh (Global Partnership in Attainment of the SDGs) General Economics Division (GED) Bangladesh Planning Commission Ministry of Planning Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh September 2019 Prospects and Opportunities of International Cooperation in Attaining SDG Targets in Bangladesh Published by: General Economics Division (GED) Bangladesh Planning Commission Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh Website: www.plancomm.gov.bd First Published: September 2019 Editor: Dr. Shamsul Alam, Member (Senior Secretary), GED Printed By: Inteshar Printers 217/A, Fokirapool, Motijheel, Dhaka. Cell: +88 01921-440444 Copies Printed: 1000 ii Bangladesh Planning Commission Message I would like to congratulate General Economics Division (GED) of the Bangladesh Planning Commission for conducting an insightful study on “Prospect and Opportunities of International Cooperation in Attaining SDG Targets in Bangladesh” – an analytical study in the field international cooperation for attaining SDGs in Bangladesh. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda is an ambitious development agenda, which can’t be achieved in isolation. It aims to end poverty, hunger and inequality; act on climate change and the environment; care for people and the planet; and build strong institutions and partnerships. The underlying core slogan is ‘No One Is Left Behind!’ So, attaining the SDGs would be a challenging task, particularly mobilizing adequate resources for their implementation in a timely manner. Apart from the common challenges such as inadequate data, inadequate tax collection, inadequate FDI, insufficient private investment, there are other unique and emerging challenges that stem from the challenges of graduation from LDC by 2024 which would limit preferential benefits that Bangladesh have been enjoying so far.
    [Show full text]
  • The Price of Power the Political Economy of Electricity Trade and Hydropower in Eastern South Asia
    THE PRICE OF POWER THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF ELECTRICITY TRADE AND HYDROPOWER IN EASTERN SOUTH ASIA June 2018 THE PRICE OF POWER THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF ELECTRICITY TRADE AND HYDROPOWER IN EASTERN SOUTH ASIA June 2018 By The Asia Foundation 114 Jor Bagh, First Floor New Delhi – 110003 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://asiafoundation.org/ Suggested citation Pillai, Aditya Valiathan and Sagar Prasai. 2018. The Price of Power: The political economy of electricity trade and hydropower in eastern South Asia. The Asia Foundation, New Delhi. Disclaimer This publication has been funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The views expressed in this publication are the authors’ alone and are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government. Design & Printed by: Vinset Advertising, New Delhi Contents Overview 1 Introduction 3 The evolution of regional electricity markets 7 Guidelines and geopolitics 11 A survey of demand for Himalayan hydropower 20 Conclusion 33 References 35 Overview n the winter of 2016, India's ministry of power issued guidelines that defined the limits of electricity trade with South Asian neighbors. In a phraseological departure from earlier Idocuments on regional power cooperation, it called electricity a 'strategic' commodity. This is with reason. Electricity's central role in economic growth makes it a focal point for contestations in democratic politics across the world, and it is no different in South Asia. The interdependencies created by regional electricity markets can diversify the generation pool and reduce the cost of electricity, but, like all forms of regional cooperation, they are also a vulnerability.
    [Show full text]
  • Dwelling in Loss Environment, Displacement and Memory in the Indian Ganges Delta
    Dwelling in Loss Environment, Displacement and Memory in the Indian Ganges Delta Arne Harms Dwelling in Loss: Environment, Displacement and Memory in the Indian Ganges Delta Inauguraldissertation zur Erlangung des Grades eines Dr. phil. Vorgelegt am Fachbereich Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften der Freien Universität Berlin von Arne Harms, M.A. Berlin, Dezember 2013 Erstgutachterin: Prof. Dr. Ute Luig Zweitgutachterin: Prof. Dr. Shalini Randeria Tag der Disputation: 10. Juli 2014 Memories are crafted by oblivion as the outlines of the shore are created by the sea. Marc Augé, Oblivion Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... iv Table of Figures ........................................................................................................................ vi A Note on Transliteration ......................................................................................................... vii Glossary ................................................................................................................................... viii 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 7 1.2. Structure of the Thesis ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • India's Role in Facilitating Trade Under SAFTA
    Working Paper 263 India’s Role in Facilitating Trade under SAFTA Nisha Taneja Shravani Prakash Pallavi Kalita January 2013 INDIAN COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................... i Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... ii 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 2. Liberalisation of Tariffs under SAFTA and India’s Bilateral FTAs ................. 2 2.1 India Pakistan ...................................................................................................... 2 2.2 India -Bangladesh ............................................................................................... 3 2.3 India-Nepal .......................................................................................................... 4 2.4 India- Sri Lanka .................................................................................................. 5 3. Non-Tariff Barriers ................................................................................................. 6 4. Transport .................................................................................................................. 8 4.1 Road Transport .................................................................................................... 8 4.2 Rail Transport ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Visualizing Hydropower Across the Himalayas: Mapping in a Time of Regulatory Decline
    HIMALAYA, the Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies Volume 34 Number 2 Article 9 December 2014 Visualizing Hydropower Across the Himalayas: Mapping in a time of Regulatory Decline Kelly D. Alley Auburn University, [email protected] Ryan Hile University of Utah Chandana Mitra Auburn University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/himalaya Recommended Citation Alley, Kelly D.; Hile, Ryan; and Mitra, Chandana. 2014. Visualizing Hydropower Across the Himalayas: Mapping in a time of Regulatory Decline. HIMALAYA 34(2). Available at: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/himalaya/vol34/iss2/9 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. This Research Article is brought to you for free and open access by the DigitalCommons@Macalester College at DigitalCommons@Macalester College. It has been accepted for inclusion in HIMALAYA, the Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Macalester College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Visualizing Hydropower Across the Himalayas: Mapping in a time of Regulatory Decline Acknowledgements Earlier drafts of this paper were presented at the BAPA-BEN International Conference on Water Resources in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2013 and for the AAA panel on Developing the Himalaya in 2012. The authors appreciate the comments and support provided by members who attended these sessions. Our mapping project has been supported by the College of Liberal Arts and the Center for Forest Sustainability at Auburn University. This research article is available in HIMALAYA, the Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/himalaya/vol34/iss2/9 Visualizing Hydropower across the Himalayas: Mapping in a time of Regulatory Decline Kelly D.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecotourism in Assam: a Promising Opportunity for Development
    SAJTH, January 2012, Vol. 5, No. 1 Ecotourism in Assam: A Promising Opportunity for Development MEENA KUMARI DEVI* *Meena Kumari Devi, Associate Professor, Economics, S.D College, Hajo, Assam. INDIA Introduction Ecotourism is a new form of tourism based on the idea of sustainability. The term “ecotourism” has diverse meanings and scholars are not unanimous on what ecotourism really means. The concept of ecotourism came into prominence in the late 80s as a strategy for reconciling conservation with development in ecologically rich areas. Conservation of natural resources prevents environmental degradation. That is why, this form of tourism has received global importance. It is currently recognized as the fastest growing segment of the tourism market (Yadav 2002). The World Ecotourism Summit, held in Quebee City, Canada, from 19 th to 22 nd May, 2002, declared the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism. Such declarations highlight the relevance and recognition of ecotourism, both locally and globally. Presently, ecotourism comprises 15-20% of international tourism. The growth rate of ecotourism and nature based activities is higher than most of the other tourism segments (Kandari and Chandra, 2004). Its market is now growing at an annual rate of 30% (Whelan, 1991). From this, the significance of ecotourism can be very easily evaluated. Definitions of Ecotourism: The concept of ecotourism is relatively new and often confusing. Therefore, a range of definitions of ecotourism has evolved. The term ‘ecotourism’ was coined by Hector Ceballos Lascurian in 1983 to describe nature based travel. Ceballos Lascurisn (1987) defines it as “traveling to relatively undisturbed or un contaminated natural areas with specific © South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage 180 MEENA KUMARI DEVI objectives of studying , admiring, enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas”.
    [Show full text]
  • Development of Operation Rule of Proposed Ganges Barrage Using Mathematical Model
    DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATION RULE OF PROPOSED GANGES BARRAGE USING MATHEMATICAL MODEL KHANDKER SAQIB ISHTIAQ DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DHAKA, BANGLADESH DECEMBER 2011 i DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATION RULE OF PROPOSED GANGES BARRAGE USING MATHEMATICAL MODEL A Thesis Submitted by Khandker Saqib Ishtiaq (Roll No. 0409162026 P) In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering Department of Water Resources Engineering Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) DHAKA - 1000 December 2011 ii CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL We hereby recommend that the thesis prepared by Khandker Saqib Ishtiaq, Roll No. 0409162026 (P), entitled “Development of Operation Rule of Proposed Ganges Barrage Using Mathematical Model” has been accepted as fulfilling this part of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Water Resource Engineering Dr. Md. Abdul Matin Chairman of the committee Professor (Supervisor) Dept. of Water Resources Engineering BUET Dr. Umme Kulsum Navera Member Professor and Head Dept. of Water Resources Engineering BUET Dr. M. Mirjahan Member Professor Dept. of Water Resources Engineering BUET Mr. Abu Saleh Khan Member Deputy Executive Director (External) IWM, Dhaka. December 2011 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. Certificate of Approval III Table of Contents IV List of Figures VI List of Tables VIII List of Abbreviations IX Acknowledgement X Abstract XI CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 General 1 1.2 Background
    [Show full text]
  • Water Scarcity in Bangladesh
    01 2013 PRIO REporT 01 2013 Water Scarcity in Bangladesh Water Scarcity More than fifty transboundary rivers feed into This report presents the results of a colla- Bangladesh, effectively creating the world’s borative and multidisciplinary effort by a team second largest riverine drainage basin, the of researchers from Norway and South Asia, in Bangladesh Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin. approaching the issue of water scarcity in Since time immemorial, this river system has Bangladesh with a view not only to conduct supported and maintained the agrarian societies research on river water availability, but also to of the basin. These societies are now faced with help promote awareness and knowledge-sharing Transboundary Rivers, Conflict and Cooperation Peace Research Institute Oslo Research Peace Visiting Address: Hausmanns gate 7 Address: Visiting Norway NO-0134 Oslo, 9229 Grønland, PO Box Institute Oslo (PRIO) Research Peace Water Scarcity in Bangladesh ISBN: 978-82-7288-485-6 ISBN: Jason Miklian Photo back cover: Scott Carney cover: Photo front increasing riverine environmental stress, while on river water management in the region. In demands for water continue to rise due to addition to reviewing bilateral agreements on industrialization as well as population growth. water cooperation in South Asia, the report investigates water scarcity in Bangladesh and Driven mainly by the South Asian monsoon explores institutional mechanisms and strategies and the complex dynamics of the Himalayan for basinwide and multilateral cooperation on the glaciers, the region’s water resources and management of transboundary river water. hydrology present great challenges for water managers. While there is still limited coope- ration on transboundary river water manage- ment among the countries of this region, many stakeholders are now calling for closer cooperation.
    [Show full text]
  • Three Gorges Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant
    Three Gorges Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant The Three Gorges Dam Project (TGP) is the world's largest hydropower complex project located in one of the three gorges of the Yangtze River: the Xilingxia Gorge in Hubei province, China. The gorge controls approximately one million square kilometres of drainage area and averages a runoff of 451 billion cubic metres annually. China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGPC) acts as the legal entity for TGP and is responsible for the construction, operation and financing of the project. Construction on the Three Gorges Dam was completed in 2008. The dam stands 185m high and 2,309m wide, making it the world's largest hydro plant, well ahead of Brazil's 12,600MW Itaipu installation. A total of 32 main power generators are planned to operate off the dam, of which 12 sets on the right bank and 14 sets on the left were installed in 2006 and 2008, respectively. They were operational in October 2008 and generated a total of 18,300MW. Another six generators are being installed underground and are expected to become fully operational by the end of 2011. These six were added to the project in 2002. The first three became operational in June 2011. The third generator unit (Unit 30) completed a 72 hour test run in July 2011. The first underground unit (Unit 32) began operations in May 2011 and the second (Unit 31) commenced commercial operations in June 2011. Once the additional generators are all installed, the plant will produce 22,500MW of electricity. Three Gorges project The Three Gorges Dam project involves harnessing the Yangtze River, Asia's longest stretch of water, to generate prodigious amounts of electricity.
    [Show full text]
  • SAARC Countries I Ii Seminar Book
    Munich Personal RePEc Archive Future-of-Eco-Coop-in-SARRC- Countries Shah, Syed Akhter Hussain Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Islamabad 2014 Online at https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/59275/ MPRA Paper No. 59275, posted 30 Dec 2014 23:42 UTC Future of Economic Cooperation in SAARC Countries i ii Seminar Book Future of Economic Cooperation in SAARC Countries iii CONTENTS Acknowledgements Acronyms Introduction 1 Welcome Address 12 Ambassador (R) Sohail Amin Opening Remarks 15 Kristof W. Duwaerts Inaugural Address 18 Riaz Mohammad Khan Concluding Address 24 Dr. Ishrat Hussain Concluding Remarks 26 Kristof W. Duwaerts Vote of Thanks 27 Ambassador (R) Sohail Amin Recommendations 29 CHAPTER 1 Regional Trade — Driver for Economic Growth 37 Dr. Kamal Monnoo CHAPTER 2 Meeting Energy Requirement: Potential for Intra-regional Energy Trade 61 Dr. Janak Lal Karmacharya CHAPTER 3 Building Regional Transport and Communication Infrastructure 81 Ms. Arshi Saleem Hashmi iv Seminar Book CHAPTER 4 Developing Energy Corridor from Central and West Asia to South Asia 101 Prof. Savita Pande CHAPTER 5 The New Silk Road Initiative: Economic Dividends 119 Mr. Nabi Sroosh and Mr.Yosuf Sabir CHAPTER 6 China‟s Growing Economic Relations with South Asia 127 Dr. Liu Zongyi CHAPTER 7 Fast Tracking Economic Collaboration in SAARC Countries 146 Dr. Pervez Tahir CHAPTER 8 Towards an Asian Century: Future of Economic Cooperation in SAARC Countries: A View from FPCCI 159 Mr. Muhammad Ali CHAPTER 9 Economic Cooperation among SAARC Countries: Political Constraints 163 Dr. Rashid Ahmad Khan CHAPTER 10 Implications of Bilateral and Sub-regional Trade Agreements on Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of SAARC in South Asia 177 Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Press Release Sutlej Textiles and Industries Limited
    Press Release Sutlej Textiles and Industries Limited December 31, 2020 Ratings Bank Facilities Amount (Rs. crore) Rating Rating Action Revised from 757.04 CARE A; Stable (Single A; CARE A+; Stable (enhanced from Outlook: Long-term - Term Loan (Single A Plus; 688.34) Stable) Outlook: Stable) Revised from CARE A+; CARE A; Stable/CARE A1 Fund Based- LT/ST- Stable/CARE A1+ (Single A (Single A; Outlook: CC/ EPC/PCFC 600.00 Plus; Outlook: Stable/A Stable/A One) One Plus) 45.30 CARE A1 Revised from CARE A1+ Non-Fund Based-ST-LC/BG (enhanced from (A One) (A One Plus) 45.00) 1,402.34 (Rs. One thousand four hundred two crore Total thirty four lakh only) Proposed Commercial CARE A1 Revised from CARE A1+ 300.00 Paper Issue^ (A One) (A One Plus) ^Carved out of the sanctioned working capital limits of the company. Detailed Rationale and Key Rating Drivers The revision of ratings assigned to the bank facilities of Sutlej Textiles and Industries Limited (STIL) factor in the weakening of company’s credit profile in FY20 on account of deteriorating operational performance and H1FY21 on the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, delays and cost overruns in setting up the margin accretive green fiber plant, and lower than envisaged performance in home-textile division. The ratings continue to derive strength from strong business profile being amongst India’s well established players in the value added dyed spun yarn/specialty yarn segment and experienced management in the Textile industry (especially spinning segment). The ratings also factor in moderate debt coverage metrics and comfortable liquidity position.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Vulnerability in Asia's High Mountains
    Climate Vulnerability in Asia’s High Mountains COVER: VILLAGE OF GANDRUNG NESTLED IN THE HIMALAYAS. ANNAPURNA AREA, NEPAL; © GALEN ROWELL/MOUNTAIN LIGHT / WWF-US Climate Vulnerability in Asia’s High Mountains May 2014 PREPARED BY TAYLOR SMITH Independent Consultant [email protected] This report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of WWF and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. THE UKOK PLATEAU NATURAL PARK, REPUBLIC OF ALTAI; © BOGOMOLOV DENIS / WWF-RUSSIA CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................1 4.2.1 Ecosystem Restoration ........................................... 40 4.2.2 Community Water Management .............................. 41 State of Knowledge on Climate Change Impacts .................. 1 4.3 Responding to Flooding and Landslides ....................... 41 State of Knowledge on Human Vulnerability ......................... 1 4.3.1 Flash Flooding ......................................................... 41 Knowledge Gaps and Policy Perspective .............................. 3 4.3.2 Glacial Lake Outburst Floods .................................. 42 Recommendations for Future Adaptation Efforts ................. 3 4.3.3 Landslides ............................................................... 43 4.4 Adaptation by Mountain Range ....................................... 44 Section I 4.4.1 The Hindu Kush–Karakorum–Himalaya Region
    [Show full text]