Water Conflicts in the Anthropocene: The India-Pakistan Water Dispute
PRESENTER
MUHAMMAD FAHAD AZAM

Water Conflicts in the Anthropocene: The India-Pakistan Water Dispute
ØIntroduction:
qThe Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch that highlights the dominant impact of human
activity on Earth's systems, disrupting natural cycles and ecosystems.
qThese disruptions are not just environmental but also deeply social, triggering conflicts,
exacerbating inequalities, and creating new forms of violence.
qAim: Introduce the connection between the Anthropocene and resource-based conflicts, focusing on
the critical example of water disputes.
qHighlight the India-Pakistan water conflict as a case study for understanding how human-driven
environmental changes can exacerbate political and social tensions.
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Research problem and question
uResearch problem:
qThe Anthropocene has intensified the scarcity of essential resources, including water, leading to
conflicts over access and control.
qThe India-Pakistan water conflict, rooted in the Indus Waters Treaty, reflects how ecological
changes can strain international relations and regional stability.
qProblem Statement: How have Anthropocene-driven environmental changes, such as glacial melt and
changing monsoon patterns, impacted the India-Pakistan water dispute?
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uResearch Question:
qHow does the Anthropocene intensify the India-Pakistan water conflict through both direct
ecological impacts and indirect socio-political pressures?
qWhat are the potential pathways for reducing water-related tensions in this context?

Initial Discussion and Approach
uCase Study: The Indus River Basin consists of (06) major rivers: the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi,
Sutlej, and Kabul which supports the livelihoods of over 300 million people in both India and
Pakistan.
ØKey Issues:
qClimate Change: Glacial melt and altered monsoon patterns impacting river flows.
qInfrastructure Development: Dam construction and water diversions creating tensions.
qPolitical Dimensions: Historical distrust and security concerns amplifying the conflict.
ØAnalytical Frameworks:
qPolitical Ecology: Examines the power dynamics in resource control.
qEnvironmental Security: Focuses on the risks to national and regional stability from resource
scarcity.
qHydropolitics: Studies the strategic use of water as a political tool.
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Preliminary Conclusion: to be discussed in final paper
u Preliminary Conclusion:
qUnderstanding the India-Pakistan water conflict in the Anthropocene context highlights the need
for adaptive water governance and cooperation.
uPath Forward:
qStrengthen the Indus Waters Treaty to account for climate change impacts.
qDevelop joint early warning systems for extreme weather events.
qFoster trust-building measures to reduce geopolitical tensions.
uFinal Note: Water conflicts are a critical test for human cooperation in the Anthropocene era,
where resource scarcity and climate change challenge traditional political boundaries.
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