Water Resources Management in Asia Vol. I : Main Report Book

The report has three objectives: to describe the situation confronting the region's borrowers; devise approaches to better deal with the present and future water related problems that effects their well-being; and equip the staff to actively participate in the regional and Bank-wide efforts to strengthen the sector. The principal water resources problems and issues have been placed in four catagories: institutional; long-term management and planning; real-time management and operations; and financial. Such an arrangement provides a perspective for examining concerns across all economic sectors and allows formulation of solutions that will constitute a truly comprehensive, balanced approach to the critical situation encountered in managing these resources. A summary of past Bank activities has confirmed that a historic approach is not adequate to address the pressing problems of today and future. In parallel, a review of successful resources management throughout the world has identified basic principles and best practices that apply across a range of governmental structures, cultures and physical conditions. The proposed strategy for the Bank to use in addressing the challenges at the regional and the Country Department levels comprises fundamental policy and program changes tailored to each individual country and is built into each respective country strategy.