Rivers and Sustainable Development: Alternative Approaches and Their Implications / Edition 1

by S. Nazrul Islam

Overview

Rivers are a vital component of ecology-the earth's hydrological cycle depends on them. However, across the world, rivers are under stress and even in crisis. With rising populations, the demand for river water is increasing. Many rivers fail to reach the sea because of excessive withdrawal of water, and many other rivers are heading toward the same fate. Conflicts over river water are increasing, and climate change is making matters worse. River policies pursued so far are often aggravating these challenges rather than solving them. Yet, sustainable development requires healthy rivers. Urgent change in the approach and policies toward rivers is therefore required.

In this book, Nazrul Islam points to the ways in which river policies need to change to ensure sustainable development. He offers a new conceptual framework, using such concepts as the Commercial and Cordon approaches to rivers and their opposite, the Ecological and Open approaches. He shows that while the former generally work against sustainability, the latter are conducive to sustainable development. The book illustrates this reality by drawing upon worldwide experience regarding rivers. Going forward, river policies therefore should be based on Ecological and Open approaches.

Islam argues further that the use of the new conceptual framework offered in this book can help to connect the river related discussion of experts with that of activists. It can thus help to move the discussion of river policies from the narrow confines of experts to the wider arena of the public, who should have a greater role in formulation of river policies in order to safeguard public interests and ensure sustainability. The book serves as a valuable guide for those interested in learning about river policy changes necessary to promote sustainable development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190079024
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/31/2020
Pages:	488
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 6.30(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

S. Nazrul Islam is Senior Economic Affairs Officer of Development Policy and Analysis Division in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Islam is also Adjunct Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance in the Tobin School of Business at St. Johns University.

Table of Contents

Preface
Glossary of Terms

Chapter 1: Rivers, Sustainable Development, and Policies
Chapter 2: Commercial Approach to Rivers: Origin and Spread
Chapter 3: Consequences of the Commercial Approach to Rivers
Chapter 4: Application to the Commercial Approach: A Few Case Studies
Chapter 5: Commercial Approach and River-Related Conflicts in South Asia
Chapter 6: Introduction to the Ecological Approach
Chapter 7: Ecological Approach as Part of Greater Environmental Awareness
Chapter 8: Spread of the Ecological Approach Across the World
Chapter 9: Cordon Approach to Rivers: The Lateral Version of the Commerical Approach
Chapter 10: Open Approach to Rivers: The Lateral Version of the Ecological Approach
Chapter 11: Cordon Approach in a Delta
Chapter 12: Open Approach to Rivers in a Delta
Chapter 13: Rivers, Policies, and Interest

References
Index