Trans-Boundary Water Governance in South Asia: The Beginning of a New Journey

In February 2016, Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Population and Environment submitted the country’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Early on in the report, the INDC mentions, “In Nepal’s Himalaya, total estimated ice reserve between 1977 and 2010 decreased by 29% (129 km3). The number of glacier lakes increased by 11% and glaciers recede on an average by 38 km2 per year.” The INDC makes no reference to the study that made this claim, but subsequent literature search revealed that the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development had completed the study.