Climate change is one of the drivers of change in the Ganges River Basin, together with population growth, economic development and water management practices. These changing circumstances have a significant impact on key social and economic sectors of the basin, largely through changes in water quantity, quality and timing of availability. This paper evaluates the impact of water on changing circumstances in three sectors of the Ganges Basin – agriculture, ecosystems and energy. Given the inherent interconnectedness of these core sectors and the cross-cutting impact of changing circumstances on water resources, we argue that adaptation should not be viewed as a separate initiative, but rather as a goal and perspective incorporated into every level of planning and decision making. Adaptation to changing circumstances will need to be closely linked to water resource management and will require significant collaboration across the sectors.
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Research Article|
June 15 2011
Freshwater, climate change and adaptation in the Ganges River Basin
Heather R. Hosterman;
Heather R. Hosterman
*
aNicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Box 90335, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
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Peter G. McCornick;
Peter G. McCornick
aNicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Box 90335, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Elizabeth J. Kistin;
Elizabeth J. Kistin
aNicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Box 90335, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Bharat Sharma;
Bharat Sharma
bInternational Water Management Institute, Delhi Office, 2nd Floor, Office Block B NASC Complex DPS Marg, Pusa, New Delhi, 110 012, India
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Luna Bharati
Luna Bharati
cInternational Water Management Institute, Nepal Office C/o. Department of Irrigation, Room # 427 & 428, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, GPO 8975 EPC 416, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Water Policy (2012) 14 (1): 67–79.
Article history
Received:
June 30 2010
Accepted:
April 12 2011
Citation
Heather R. Hosterman, Peter G. McCornick, Elizabeth J. Kistin, Bharat Sharma, Luna Bharati; Freshwater, climate change and adaptation in the Ganges River Basin. Water Policy 1 February 2012; 14 (1): 67–79. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2011.065
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