Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: Down To Earth

Context:

A three-day conference will bring together experts and stakeholders from India and Bangladesh to evaluate climate risks and explore ways to improve resilience in the Meghna river basin, a shared water system crucial to over 50 million people, including indigenous communities like the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia. 

Current Status of Climate Change on Indian Rivers (Source: Down to Earth)

• River temperatures in India may rise up to 7°C by 2100, reducing oxygen levels and harming aquatic life. 

• Glacial melt in western Indus Basin is increasing river flows; eastern regions see wetter monsoons. 

• Erratic monsoon patterns are causing more frequent floods and droughts. 

• Climate change impacts water availability and agriculture in major basins like Krishna. 

Multidimensional implications of climate change on rivers:

• Hydrological Changes: Altered rainfall patterns and glacial melt cause fluctuations in river flow, increasing floods and droughts (Source: IPCC, 2023).
• Water Quality: Rising temperatures reduce oxygen levels, harming aquatic biodiversity; increased pollution loads exacerbate contamination (Source: ICIMOD, 2019).
• Agricultural Impact: Changes in river water availability affect irrigation, threatening crop yields and food security (Source: World Bank, 2022).
• Socio-economic Effects: Communities dependent on rivers face displacement, loss of livelihoods, and health risks from water scarcity and pollution (Source: UNDP, 2021).
• Ecosystem Disruption: Altered river ecosystems threaten fish populations and wetlands, impacting biodiversity (Source: IUCN, 2024).

Picture Courtesy: cwejournal.org

Government Measures:

Way Forward (Source: ICIMOD report (2019) on Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin pollution):

• Strengthen Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): Promote coordinated management of water, land, and related resources across sectors and regions to optimize usage and sustain river ecosystems. 

• Enhance Cross-Border Cooperation: Encourage bilateral and multilateral agreements between countries sharing river basins (e.g., India and Bangladesh for Meghna basin) for data sharing, joint research, and coordinated climate resilience strategies. 

• Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Livelihoods: Support farmers with climate-smart practices, drought-resistant crops, and alternative livelihood options to reduce pressure on river water and ecosystems. 

• Expand Community Participation: Involve local communities, especially indigenous groups, in decision-making and conservation efforts to ensure solutions are inclusive and sustainable.  

• Invest in Pollution Control and River Restoration: Implement stricter regulations on industrial discharge, enhance river clean-up projects, and restore wetlands and mangroves to improve river health. 

• Leverage Technology and Data Analytics: Use satellite data, sensors, and AI for real-time monitoring of river flows, pollution levels, and climate impacts to enable proactive management. 

• Increase Financial Support: Allocate more funding through national and state schemes, international collaborations, and private partnerships for climate adaptation projects targeting river basins. 

• Raise Awareness and Capacity Building: Educate stakeholders on climate risks and build technical capacity to implement resilient water management and conservation techniques effectively. 

Source: Down to Earth