Water scarcity is already a serious issue in India, nowadays. Thus, the study of the United Nations World Water Development 2023 shows that Asia, notably northeast China, India, and Pakistan, is home to over 80% of those who experience water stress.
India is predicted to be the country most badly impacted, with the worldwide urban population anticipated to grow from 933 million in 2016 to between 1.7 and 2.4 billion people by 2050.
Therefore, the research also noted that 3.6 billion people lack access to properly maintained sanitation, and two billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water.
However, the main causes of this dilemma are described as the rising demand for water brought on by excessive consumption and development, unsustainable water usage, pollution, and unregulated global warming.
Nonetheless, water management is a cross-cutting issue, and partnerships and cooperation are regarded as necessary. The importance of tackling the water, energy, and food nexus in a transboundary environment is emphasized in the paper. Therefore, the Mahakali Treaty between India and Nepal, which established the transboundary water cooperation agreement, is one instance of this cooperation that is emphasized in the paper.
The Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project has been long delayed, but the assessment acknowledged that it has had several positive effects, including improved irrigation and flood management as well as fewer electricity shortages. If the project is carried out sustainably and fairly, it has the potential to address some of the water scarcity problems that India and Nepal are currently experiencing.