Routledge Water Conflicts and Resistance: Issues and Challenges in South Asia (Social Movements and Transformative Dissent)

This book presents a systematic study of transboundary, regional and local water conflicts and resistance across several river basins in South Asia. Addressing hydro-socio-economic aspects in competing water sharing and transfer agreements, as well as conflicting regimes of legal plurality, property rights and policy implementation, it discusses themes such as rights over land and natural resources; resettlement of dam-displaced people; urban–rural conflicts over water allocation; peri-urbanisation, land use conflicts and water security; tradeoffs and constraints in restoration of ecological flows in rivers; resilience against water conflicts in a river basin; and irrigation projects and sustainability of water resources. Bringing together experts, professionals, lawyers, government and the civil society, the volume analyses water conflicts at local, regional and transboundary scales; reviews current debates with case studies; and outlines emerging challenges in water policy, law, governance and institutions in South Asia. It also offers alternative tools and frameworks of water sharing mechanisms, conflict resolution, dialogue, and models of cooperation and collaboration for key stakeholders towards possible solutions for effective, equitable and strategic water management. This book will be useful to scholars and researchers of development studies, environment studies, water studies, public policy, political science, international relations, conflict resolution, political economy, economics, sociology and social anthropology, environmental law, governance and South Asian studies. It will also benefit practitioners, water policy thinktanks and associations, policymakers, diplomats and NGOs. Review ‘Conflicts in use of water from a river basin are typically considered a technical matter. In fact, though, argue the authors in this book, the real problem is political. Water-sharing arrangements lead to a continuous tussle by each party to maximise their share of the water. That leads to a great deal of water wastage and environmental damage. In this important book, the brilliant young scholar Venkatesh Dutta has brought together expert scholars, members of civil society, and lawyers, many of whom have participated in negotiating treaties to share water resources. The book is essential reading for not only specialists and students in water management but also for those studying the political economy of environmental protection.’ Ashoka Mody, Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor of International Economic Policy, School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, USA About the Author Venkatesh Dutta is Professor at School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India, and a natural resource management specialist.