Present Scenario and Future Prospects - Science Vision

Management of Water-Resources in South Asia
involved in the planning and development
programs of water sector in agriculture. These
farmers’ organizations can be further involved
in transforming agricultural/rural scenarios.
The studies carried out in countries of the
region indicate that a large O & M cost are
being incurred on irrigation networks by
maintaining them in public sector. At least part
of this expenditure can be minimized through
participation of farmers in maintenance of
these canals. The subsidies on irrigation lead
to an inefficient water use. The Governments
can have a second look on this issue.
INTRODUCTION
S
outh Asian Region consists of Pakistan,
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka and Maldives. The map of the
region is given in figure-1. The region
has high- altitude mountain terrains, sub–
mountainous tracts, large flood-plains, with a
network of rivers and streams, deserts and
large coastal areas. The famous Indus and
Gigantic civilizations thrived and prospered in
this region.
Agriculture has been the main pursuit in the
region since the human civilization began.
Land and water have been the primary
resources for this activity since primeval times.
Initially, the human settlements were built near
the water-bodies, like rivers and lakes. Human
beings learnt from experience that water is a
basic input in raising crops. Agriculture
continued to be mainly carried out under rain
fed conditions. Irrigated agriculture started
much later.
As primary structures, wells and karezes (subsurface
irrigation ditches) are known to have
been built in various parts of the world,
including South Asia. These Structures helped
an assured production of crops and also
helped to raise farm-productivity. With
expansion in human population, the land and
water resources came under pressure. The
disasters, like drought, disease, insect hazards
(locust and others) resulted in crop damages,
many a times leading to famines. In addition,
the process of degradation of land and waterresources,
through salinization, water logging,
industrial effluents and other environmental
hazards, is an on-going process and is a major
threat to agriculture. There is a need for a
judicious management of these scarce
resources.
A number of efforts were initiated in the South
Asian region, particularly during last
millennium, for the proper management/use of
land and water-resources. This becomes more
demanding at a time when large fertile tracts
of agricultural land are falling victim to rapid
industrialization, urbanization and other nonfarm
uses. Similarly, management of waterresources
is of prime importance for fostering
activities of agriculture sector on commercial
lines.
Table - 1.1: Population (million)
Category Total Agricultural % in Agriculture
World 5,978.40 2,575.50 43.08
Asia 3,634.30 1,956.50 53.83
South Asia 1,309.40 735.70 56.18
Bangladesh 126.90 72.00 56.74
Bhutan 2.10 1.90 90.48
India 998.10 553.20 55.43
Maldives 0.3 0.08 26.67
Nepal 23.4 21.8 93.16
Pakistan 140.0 78.0 55.71
Sri Lanka 18.6 8.7 46.77
Source: FAO Production Year Book, 1999
SOUTH ASIAN SCENARIO
Population
The population of the world in 1998 was 5.98
billion, Asia 3.63 billion and South Asia 1.30
billion. The population of South Asia was 21.7
% of the world population and 36.0 % of Asian
population. The data is as in Table-1.1.
The world has a population of 43% in
agricultural discipline. However, Asian
involvement in agriculture is 53% and South
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