Climate adaptation in the Indu-Gangetic Basin

Amarasinghe, Upali A.; Sikka, Alok; Surinadu, L. 2022. Climate adaptation in the Indu-Gangetic Basin. In Seo, S. N. (Ed.). Handbook of behavioral economics and climate change. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. pp.143-161. [doi: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800880740.00014]

Indus and Ganga Basins (IGB), which spread over 220 million ha and with over one billion population, grapples with multiple risks. Climate change will exacerbate the water-related recurrent disasters of floods and droughts. Variability and extreme events of rainfall and temperature are increasing. Monsoon rains in four months from June to September bring 80% of the total rainfall. Irrigation is critical, especially for dry-season agriculture and for livelihoods and food security. Groundwater depletion, water quality, and environmental issues reached critical points threatening sustainable agriculture in many locations. This paper focuses on innovative water-related adaptation strategies being pilot tested and implemented to reduce the risks and enhance productivity and resilience in the agriculture sector in the Basins.