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What Governance Lesson Does Mekong Bear for Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM) Basin?

Author

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  • Nilanjan Ghosh
  • Sayanangshu Modak

Abstract

This article talks of the various governance lessons that the Mekong basin bears for the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM) basin. It highlights the existing hydropolitical and ecological problems associated with the GBM basin, the reasons for which are attributed to the reductionist colonial engineering paradigm also delineated in this article as ‘arithmetic hydrology’. The transboundary interactions in the GBM to resolve the problems have largely relied on an issue-based, piecemeal, fragmented approach that has further complicated the problems. It is in this context, the article brings in how a cooperative mechanism in the institutional form of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) has been attempting to promote a participative and integrated approach to river basin governance. The article, therefore, talks of some of the replicable practices and learnings that may help in takeaways for the GBM riparians and stakeholders from the Mekong system. JEL Codes: F02, N50, Q01, Q22, Q24, Q25, Q28

Suggested Citation

  • Nilanjan Ghosh & Sayanangshu Modak, 2021. "What Governance Lesson Does Mekong Bear for Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM) Basin?," Journal of Asian Economic Integration, , vol. 3(2), pages 211-234, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jfasei:v:3:y:2021:i:2:p:211-234
    DOI: 10.1177/26316846211038421
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Crow, Ben & Singh, Nirvikar, 2000. "Impediments and Innovation in International Rivers: The Waters of South Asia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 28(11), pages 1907-1925, November.
    2. A. F. Lutz & W. W. Immerzeel & A. B. Shrestha & M. F. P. Bierkens, 2014. "Consistent increase in High Asia's runoff due to increasing glacier melt and precipitation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 4(7), pages 587-592, July.
    3. Nilanjan Ghosh & Sayanangshu Modak, 2021. "Water Disputes in the Cauvery and the Teesta Basins: Conflictual Federalism, Food Security, and Reductionist Hydrology," India Studies in Business and Economics, in: Purnamita Dasgupta & Anindita Roy Saha & Robin Singhal (ed.), Sustainable Development Insights from India, pages 317-341, Springer.
    4. Nilanjan Ghosh, 2018. "Water, Ecosystem Services, and Food Security: Avoiding the Costs of Ignoring the Linkage," India Studies in Business and Economics, in: Rajat Kathuria & Saon Ray & Kuntala Bandyopadhyay (ed.), Low Carbon Pathways for Growth in India, chapter 0, pages 161-176, Springer.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Water governance; Mekong River Commission; multilateralism; knowledge gaps; best practices;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F02 - International Economics - - General - - - International Economic Order and Integration
    • N50 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q22 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Fishery
    • Q24 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Land
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water
    • Q28 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy

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