The wars of the next century will be about

water" World Bank vice-president Ismail

Serageldin(quoted in New York Times, 10
August 1995).

Fierce competition for fresh water may

well become a source of conflict and wars
in the future.
Kofi Annan, March 2001
WATER- A MAJOR CONCERN

Most of the worlds waterabout 97.5 percentexists as salt water

in the oceans and seas.
Of the worlds 2.5 percent of freshwater, roughly 99 percent is
either trapped in glaciers and ice caps, held as soil moisture, or
located in water tables too deep to access.
Thus, only about one percent of the worlds total freshwater supply
is readily available for consumption by humans, animals and for
irrigation.
Water security is emerging as an increasingly important

Population growth continues to surge, the demand for water is

increasing substantially, without a concomitant increase in water
resources
In South Asia, conflict over freshwater has strained relations
between India and Bangladesh, as well as India and Pakistan.
INDUS RIVER BASIN

CAUVERY RIVER
THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses

 Contending Water Uses:

Water is a common pool resource

Contention between different kinds of uses

The issue is one of rapidly decreasing water supply amidst a

growing number of users who require larger quantities with every
passing year

Case of Keoladeo National Park,

Case of Vadali village of Gujarat and

The Majuli island case.

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses

Population Growth and Demand

 Population Growth and Demand
Growing population and changing values have increased
pressure on existing water supplies

Urban needs often conflict with agricultural needs, as well as

with increased demand for water for endangered species,
recreation, and scenic enjoyment

Conflict in the Bhavani

The Palkhed canal system of upper Godavari project

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Contending Water Uses:

Population Growth and Demand

Pollution
 Pollution

Almost 70% of its surface water resources

A growing number of its groundwater reserves are already
contaminated by biological, toxic organic and inorganic
pollutants
Unsafe for human consumption as well as for other
activities such as irrigation and industrial needs.

Kolleru wildlife sanctuary

The case of khari river

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES
Contending Water Uses:

Population Growth and Demand

Pollution

Micro level dispute

 MICRO LEVEL DISPUTE

Conflicts on a truly micro scale within a village, a

community or around a small tank

Monitoring failure at Kanpur

Shapin River Basin in Jharkhand

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES
Contending Water Uses:

Population Growth and Demand

Pollution

Micro level dispute

Dams and Displacement

 DAMS AND DISPLACEMENT
India is the third largest dam builder country in the world. It now
has over 3600 large dams and over 700 more under construction.

The displacement caused by large scale irrigation and hydro-

projects

Displacement and resettlement of people is the least concern of

large dam builders

Sardar Sarovar Dam

Haripad Project In Madhya Pradesh

Tehri Dam
THE POTENTIAL CAUSES
Contending Water Uses:

Population Growth and Demand

Pollution

Micro level dispute

Dams and Displacement

Transboundary dispute
 TRANSBOUNDARY DISPUTE

Disputes over shared water resources have a long

history

Inter-state and inter-country dispute

Access to water has been a source of dispute and

contention

Baglihar hydropower project (BHP)

Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES
Contending Water Uses:

Population Growth and Demand

Pollution

Micro level dispute

Dams and Displacement

Transboundary dispute

Privatisation
 PRIVATISATION

Inviting private sector participation in dam and reservoir

projects

Opposition to the idea of `privatisation of water'

Privatisation poses a threat to that commitment because

once privatised, water will no longer be provided on the
basis of need but on the ability to pay
LESSONS LEARNED:

Water crossing international boundaries can cause

tensions between nations that share the basin. While the
tension is not likely to lead to warfare, early coordination
between riparian states can help ameliorate the issue.

A gradual decrease in water quantity or quality, or both,

is more likely than violent conflict. Over time, such water
decreases can affect the internal stability of a nation or
region, and act as an irritant among ethnic groups, water
sectors, or states/provinces. The resulting instability may
have effects in the international arena.

The greatest threat of the global water crisis to human

security comes from the fact that millions of people lack
access to sufficient quantities of water of sufficient quality
for their well-being.
CONCLUSIONS:

1. An institutional framework for joint management

and dispute resolution
2. Early intervention is also beneficial to the process of
conflict resolution
3. Water disputes can be resolved through active
dialog among disciplines.

But the water problems of our world need not be only a

cause of tension; they can also be a catalyst
for cooperationIf we work together, a secure and
sustainable water future can be ours.
Kofi Annan, February 2002