A Region's Thirst

The article "A Region's Thirst", by Ann-Kathrin Schneider, was first published in the magazine Himalmag in Sept 2007. It describes new trends in hydropower development and dam building in South Asia. It concludes that India is in the midst of a newfound drive to harness its water resources, and those of its neighbours, to secure an adequate supply of energy.

"The myriad discussions and debates currently taking place in the Southasian social sphere over the future of large dams carry with them the potentail to achieve two goals. First, the integration of project-affected people into the decision-making process. Second, to shift energy planning away from the singular focus of increasing megawatts, to taking an integrated ecological and societal approach."