Water Culture in South Asia

Water Culture in South Asia PDF

Author: Suzanne Hanchett

Publisher:

Published: 2023-03-09

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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"Water is life" in Bangladesh. Based on five researchers' long-term involvement with water development programs, this book introduces the reader to the vast range of meanings that water has in this South Asian country, where village women struggle daily for access to safe supplies. Mythology, ancient sciences, folklore, and language provide a cultural foundation for water's uses in the home. Special attention is given to the problem of arsenic in drinking water. The book includes more than 70 color illustrations, a bibliography, a glossary, and an index.

Water Culture in South Asia

Water Culture in South Asia PDF

Author: Suzanne Hanchett

Publisher: Development Resources Press

Published: 2014-11-30

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 0990633721

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“Water is life” in Bangladesh. This book introduces the reader to the vast range of meanings that water has in this South Asian country. Mythol­ogy, ancient sciences, folklore, and language provide a cultural founda­tion for water's uses in the home. One chapter is devoted to the problem of arsenic in drinking water. Includes Glossary, Bibliography, 70 photos, Index. Reviews and Endorsements Interesting and important for anyone working in water in Bangladesh and world­wide. If only there were such books for all countries!” -Joke Mulwijk, Executive Director, Gender and Water Alliance “A group of authors...have in this delightful book explored familiar cultural nuances: nuances that generally escape the notice of policy makers sitting in distant headquarters formulating policies for villagers.”....“The authors have narrated myths related to ponds, for instance.... Each aspect of cultural use has been described in so much detail and with such authenticity that, but for the paucity of space, one feels like reproducing the entire book here.”.... “Conventionally, policy makers always neglect the cultural aspects of any new product they have introduced. But it became apparent that there were side effects of having water from tube wells: people would get afflicted with skin diseases, including cancer, because of the arsenic content present in the water.”.... “Even though the focus of this book is Bangladesh, its lessons hold true for India and Pakistan as well, another strong indication of how each of them share a common culture….” -Professor Bidyut Mohanty, Head, Women’s Studies Department, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi. Review published in Social Change (2016)

Water Histories of South Asia

Water Histories of South Asia PDF

Author: Sugata Ray

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2019-06-10

Total Pages: 447

ISBN-13: 0429515871

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This book surveys the intersections between water systems and the phenomenology of visual cultures in early modern, colonial and contemporary South Asia. Bringing together contributions by eminent artists, architects, curators and scholars who explore the connections between the environmental and the cultural, the volume situates water in an expansive relational domain. It covers disciplines as diverse as literary studies, environmental humanities, sustainable design, urban planning and media studies. The chapters explore the ways in which material cultures of water generate technological and aesthetic acts of envisioning geographies, and make an intervention within political, social and cultural discourses. A critical interjection in the sociologies of water in the subcontinent, the book brings art history into conversation with current debates on climate change by examining water’s artistic, architectural, engineering, religious, scientific and environmental facets from the 16th century to the present. This is one of the first books on South Asia’s art, architecture and visual history to interweave the ecological with the aesthetic under the emerging field of eco art history. The volume will be of interest to scholars and general readers of art history, Islamic studies, South Asian studies, urban studies, architecture, geography, history and environmental studies. It will also appeal to activists, curators, art critics and those interested in water management.

Unruly Waters

Unruly Waters PDF

Author: Sunil Amrith

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 2018-12-11

Total Pages: 416

ISBN-13: 0465097731

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From a MacArthur "Genius," a bold new perspective on the history of Asia, highlighting the long quest to tame its waters Asia's history has been shaped by her waters. In Unruly Waters, historian Sunil Amrith reimagines Asia's history through the stories of its rains, rivers, coasts, and seas--and of the weather-watchers and engineers, mapmakers and farmers who have sought to control them. Looking out from India, he shows how dreams and fears of water shaped visions of political independence and economic development, provoked efforts to reshape nature through dams and pumps, and unleashed powerful tensions within and between nations. Today, Asian nations are racing to construct hundreds of dams in the Himalayas, with dire environmental impacts; hundreds of millions crowd into coastal cities threatened by cyclones and storm surges. In an age of climate change, Unruly Waters is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Asia's past and its future.

Diverting the Flow

Diverting the Flow PDF

Author: Margreet Zwarteveen

Publisher: Zubaan

Published: 2014-03-11

Total Pages: 412

ISBN-13: 9383074159

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Across the South Asian region, water determines livelihoods and in some cases even survival. However, water also creates exclusions. Access to water, and its social organisation, are intimately tied up with power relations. This book provides an overview of gender, equity and water issues relevant to South Asia. The essays empirically illustrate and theoretically argue how gender intersects with other axes of social difference such as class, caste, ethnicity, age and religion to shape water access, use and management practices. Divided into six thematic sections, each of which starts with an introduction of relevant concepts, debates and theories, the book looks at laws and rights; policies; technologies and intervention strategies. In all, the book clearly shows how understanding and changing the use, distribution and management of water is conditional upon understanding and accommodating gender relations. Published by Zubaan.

Water Management in South Asia

Water Management in South Asia PDF

Author: Sumana Bandyopadhyay

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-01-29

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 3030352374

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This book highlights various challenges and opportunities for water management and cooperation in South Asia. In light of increasing urbanization and development in the region and related pressure on water resources, the contributions investigate water conflictual and cooperative attitudes and gestures between countries and regions; analyse management trade-offs between nature, agriculture and urban uses; and examine water sustainable management and related policies. By studying major river basins in the region, such as Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari and Krishna, the chapters highlight socio-economic, infrastructural, environmental and institutional aspects of water scarcity in South Asia and present best practices for improved sustainable water management and security in the region.

Water Architecture in South Asia

Water Architecture in South Asia PDF

Author: Julia Hegewald

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2022-08-01

Total Pages: 386

ISBN-13: 9004502661

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Water architecture in South Asia represents some of the most beautiful and spectacular building achievements of the region. This study provides a holistic approach to the subject, suggesting common links and regional contrasts between types of water structures and their contexts, with a comprehensive interpretation of the history and meaning of water architecture in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Five types of water structures are identified. Their development is traced from simple to more complex forms, considering how these accommodate secular and religious functions, and present expressions of sacred and royal authority. This publication is the first reference work on the subject. Many of the structures discussed and illustrated here have never been published before. Its comprehensive approach will have a wide relevance for other South Asian disciplines.

Water Resources Policies in South Asia

Water Resources Policies in South Asia PDF

Author: Anjal Prakash

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2020-11-29

Total Pages: 219

ISBN-13: 1000084337

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Falling or stagnant agricultural growth, increasing dependence on groundwater, climate variability, swift industrialization, and unplanned and unregulated urbanization in South Asia have spawned a variety of challenges for water resources governance, management and use: groundwater overdraft; insufficient, ill-managed and poor-quality freshwater supply vis-à-vis escalating demand; and water pollution. Water policies in each of the South Asian countries thus call for a more holistic understanding for the efficient management, equitable distribution and sustainable use of this scarce resource. Analyzing the economic, demographic and ideological context in which water policies are framed and implemented, this book argues for an integrated framework in formulating and implementing water policies in South Asia. It also highlights some common missing links in the national policies: problems of techno-centric and blueprint approach to water management, growing influence of international donor agencies and inadequate concern for issues such as equity, sustainability, gender sensitivity, accountability, regional diversity in property rights regimes and water management practices, and regional conflicts over water access. The innovative and nuanced knowledge on water resources produced from detailed case studies in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be useful for professionals, academics, policymakers and activists as well as those in development studies, environmental studies, natural resource management and public administration.

Informing Water Policies in South Asia

Informing Water Policies in South Asia PDF

Author: Anjal Prakash

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2018-05-11

Total Pages: 372

ISBN-13: 1317560124

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This book analyzes water policies in South Asia from the perspective of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). It seeks to address the problems of water scarcity, conflict and pollution resulting from the gross mismanagement and over-exploitation of this finite resource. Highlighting the need for IWRM in mitigating abuse and ensuring sustainable use, it discusses issues relating to groundwater management; inter-state water conflicts; peri-urban water use; local traditional water management practices; coordination between water users and uses; and water integration at the grassroots level. With case studies from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal, the innovative, painstaking and transnational researches presented in the volume deal with questions of equity, gender, sustainability, and democratic governance in water policy interventions. It will interest researchers and students of development studies, environmental studies, natural resource management, water governance, and public administration, as also water sector professionals, policymakers, civil society activists and governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

Women Water Professionals

Women Water Professionals PDF

Author: Sumi Krishna

Publisher: Zubaan

Published: 2014-03-11

Total Pages: 277

ISBN-13: 9383074302

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Water management is not an engineering matter alone, it involves ecological, socio- political, administrative and legal concerns. Gender is a key factor but has been neglected both conventionally and in recent water reform policies and structures. Yet, a cross-section of South Asian women have challenged socio-cultural norms and crossed personal and professional boundaries to make a profound impact on water and sanitation management. Their inspiring stories have scarcely been documented. This book is the first to profile women from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – women at the grassroots or with NGOs, women activists, journalists, administrators, scientists, academics, action-researchers - who have faced challenges related to water with courage and determination. Complementing the 32 women’s voices is data compiled from an analysis of the situation of women water professionals in the region. Written in an engaging manner, this book will be of interest both to the general reader and to academics and practitioners in water management and gender/women’s studies. Published by Zubaan.