Transnational Policy Dialogue for Improved Water Governance of Brahmaputra River

Transnational water sharing, often lack cooperation which in turn hinders economic and social development, investments and regional integration. Implementation of hydropower project in such cross boundary area often raises unrest as development of one region leads to large scale changes in the other region. Diversion of water through dam construction will lead to submersion of road, forest area, township and villages. In such a scenario a robust transnational dialogue between the countries would help address the rising environmental concerns. Set in this backdrop, the project “Transnational Policy Dialogue for Improved Water Governance of Brahmaputra River" aimed to influence policies for joint management of Brahmaputra River by Bangladesh, India and other countries who contribute to the flow of the river. The region is posed with significant social challenges such as population growth, poor infrastructure food insecurity and poverty social uprising and insurgency labour migration ethnic minority disenchantment unsustainable traditional land use practices HIV-AIDS and other public health problems border disputes and resource conflicts. Through the project we aimed to set a regional knowledge base and network of actors to inform Brahmaputra-related dialogues and influence its policy for co-management of the river.

Key challenges for sustainable management of the basin include conflicts over water, which are increasing both within and between countries. Livelihoods are already impacted by changes to hydrology from erosion and to the ecology from deforestation and plantation. Food production systems, cultural identity, rural economies have all seen dramatic changes in recent years, with more changes likely in the time to come. Among the most powerful contemporary forces shaping both local cultures, livelihoods, land-use and ecosystem are various government policies and the expansion of regional, national and international markets. A dialogue between the different stakeholders from neighboring countries is critical for the smooth functioning of the basin.