Water as an Engine for Regional Development

An important reason as to why water is not a priority item in the political agenda of any country for an appropriate length of time is because the way the water profession has framed its discussion. It is all about issues like supply and demand, efficiency of use, good planning and management, risks and uncertainties, etc. Policymakers have very limited interest in such issues.

The framing has to be radically changed from how to improve water management practices to how it can be used as an engine for economic growth and social development which would generate additional employment, alleviate #poverty and hunger, and thus improve standard of living of millions of people. The water profession has mostly forgotten that river basin development was promoted NOT by water professionals but by President Roosevelt of the United States who used to move the country out of the Great Depression by generating employment and contributing to steady economic development.