World Water Day 2007

WATER in South Asia
South Asia has the largest rural population in the world. About 1 billion people live in rural areas and as a result the region’s economy depends on agriculture, and hence on irrigation, more than any other region in the world. About 20% percent of South Asian population lacks access to water services. Access to water is central to sustain the recent high economic growth and in reducing poverty.

Coping with Water Scarcity
The theme of ‘World Water Day 2007’ is to highlight the increasing significance of water scarcity worldwide and the need for increased integration and cooperation to ensure sustainable, efficient management of scarce water resources. The water resources in South Asia are distributed unevenly. In addition, the seasonal variations and climatic variability contributes to management challenges. Hence it is essential that appropriate use and management of water resources is necessary for economic development while protecting the environment and ecosystems.

World Bank Role
The World Bank provides assistance to South Asian Governments' in many aspects of water resources management including watershed management, groundwater management, international waters, and river basin management.

Bangladesh: Country Water Resources Assistance Strategy
Population growth combined with economic growth will increasingly stress water resources and this has the potential to be the dominant environmental and possibly the most important development issue facing Bangladesh in the coming half century. (Read More »)
Management of Water Quality in Dhaka
Economic cost due to poor management of water resources in Dhaka is estimated at US$ 500 million annually. (Read More »)

Pakistan: Country Water Resources Assistance Strategy
An important element of Bank support will be training a new generation of multi-disciplinary water resources specialists and support for multi-disciplinary centers of excellence for water resources natural and social sciences. (Read More »)
Pakistan Water Economy
Pakistan is one of the world’s most arid countries. The Indus River is the country’s only major river system. Pakistan’s economic and social wellbeing is built on this water system despite the scant average annual rainfall of just 240 millimeters. (Read More »)
Better Management of Indus Basin Waters
Pakistan is already one of the most water-stressed countries in the world a situation, which is going to degrade into outright water scarcity due to high population growth. (Read More »)

Resources
• IDA at Work - Managing Water Resources and Expanding Access (Read More »)
• Meeting the Global Water Challenge (Read More »)