International river and lake basins of Asia: conflicts and avenues for cooperation

We examine the conflict situations in the international river and lake basins of Asia as engendered by the water factor. The situations are all separated into four varieties, such as the territorial-border, water-use, water-ecological, and natural-resource types. Furthermore, they are grouped together by their time of origin and manifestations as well as by the methods of overcoming them. We carried out a mapping of them. Examples of situations and of lines of attack on the problems are provided. Experience of cooperation of the countries on joint governance of water management in the Asian basins is outlined. It is shown that the basin concept necessitates establishing uniform management rules for the catchment watershed as a system.