The South Asia region depends heavily on the precipitation of the variable regional monsoon as well as water derived from the glacier melts of the Himalayas. During the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) Capacity Building Workshop held in Islamabad in November 2000, the impact of climatic change on water resources in South Asia was identified as among the highest research priorities in the region. The overall objectives of this multi-year initiative sponsored by APN, USGCRP and the Hansen Institute of World Peace are:

1. To assess the impacts of climate change and associated vulnerabilities related to the shared water resources of the Indus, Ganges and Maghna River Basins;
2. To analyze recent experience in climate variability and extreme events, and their impacts on regional water resources;
3. To determine the vulnerability of regional water resources to climate change, identify key risks to each sub-region, and prioritize adaptation responses;
4. To evaluate the efficacy of various adaptation strategies or coping mechanisms that may reduce vulnerability of the regional water resources;
5. To provide inputs to relevant national and regional long-term development strategies.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Amir Muhammed
National University for Computer and Emerging Sciences
FAST House
Rohtas, Road G-N/4
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel. +92-51-2855072-4
Fax +92-51-2855075
Email: amir.muhammed@nu.edu.pk