Indus Basin Initiative

New ideas, new strategies for the Indus basin

The Indus Basin Initiative at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has taken a step towards enhancing partnership in Pakistan. ‘SDIP Phase-2 for Indus Basin’ was a workshop organized jointly by ICIMOD with the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF-Gilgit Baltistan) on 2 March 2017 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

ICIMOD Scientists Share Glacier Knowledge in Switzerland

Several scientists from ICIMOD recently traveled to Switzerland for a knowledge exchange study tour for climate change and glacier monitoring. The meeting, which moved between Zurich and Zermatt in October 2016, offered an opportunity for hydrologists, glaciologists, and cryosphere experts from the Alps and the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) to share their ideas and experience.

New publication: Climate change impacts on upper Indus basin hydrology

The Indus is one of the most meltwater-dependent rivers on earth. It hosts a large, rapidly growing population, and the world’s largest irrigation scheme. Understanding the hydrology of the upper Indus basin is challenging. The Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges are difficult to access, making field measurements of the meteorological, glaciological and hydrological processes difficult.

Exchanging knowledge on Glaciers and Climate at the Indus Forum

The Indus Forum, a World Bank funded project, is working to identify specific research and data gaps by mapping existing knowledge related to climate change in the Indus basin, and by supporting evidence based development in communities across the basin.

Upper Indus Basin (UIB) Network Strategic Committee Meeting

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development’s (ICIMOD) Strategic Committee Meeting of Upper Indus Basin (UIB) Network was held 17 October 2016, Islamabad, Pakistan to discuss the actions points of August 5 2016 meeting; integration mechanism, joint funding proposal development, expanding UIB Network and mechanism to enhance UIB Network awareness.

Upper Indus Basin (UIB) Network Panelists Highlighted the Importance of Meaningful Collaborative Research in UIB

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, the World Bank and Water and Environment Forum (WEF), organised a three days national conference on 'Water and Environment: Sustainable Development in Changing Climate' 17-19 October 2016.

Pakistani policy makers visit Upper Indus Basin pilot projects

A field visit to enhance understanding of ongoing International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) activities in Pakistan through exposure of policy makers was made to pilot projects in Upper Indus Basin (UIB), Gilgit Baltistan 20-22 September 2016.

Discussing strategy for SDIP Phase-II in Upper Indus Basin

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) organised a consultation meeting 4 August 2016 in Islamabad to develop logical action and partnership plans and achieve the established goals for the Sustainable Development Investment Partnership (SDIP) phase-II in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), a project supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Government of Australia.

Upper Indus Basin (UIB) Network Moots in Islamabad

The Technical Working Group (WG) and Strategic Committee Meetings of Upper Indus Basin (UIB) Network met 5 August 2016 at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan. The meeting was organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) to review progress of six technical working groups, discuss funding proposals, TORs of WG-leads, the expansion of the UIB Network, and inclusion of new working group with a way forward.

Solar Water Pumping from Hunza River enhances local livelihoods

A solar pumping system to irrigate the newly developed orchards along the Hunza River using drip irrigation in Upper Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan. It is the first attempt to pilot solar water pumping and micro-irrigation in the arid region under project ‘Agricultural Water, Energy and Hazard Management in the Upper Indus Basin for Improved Livelihood’.

Pilot projects achieve targets in upper Indus Basin

A review and planning meeting was held in Islamabad on 7 June, 2016 on two projects underway in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), 'Community-Based Glacier Monitoring and Early Warning System' through Focus Humanitarian Assistance’ and 'Agricultural Water, Energy and Hazard Management in the Upper Indus Basin for Improved Livelihood’.

Building Expertise in CBFEWS

ICIMOD, in collaboration with Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority and Focus Humanitarian Assistance, is planning to pilot Community Based Flood Early Warning System (CBFEWS) in Gilgit Baltistan under the project ‘Agricultural Water, Energy and Hazard Management in the Upper Indus Basin for Improved Livelihood’.

Indus Basin conference builds understanding of current research

Eighty-plus policy maker and journalist participants from Afghanistan China, India and Pakistan, were present as Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, Hafeez-ur-Rahman opened the International Conference on Climate and Environmental Change Impacts on the Indus Basin Waters 16 February 2016 at ICIMOD.

Partnering for better livelihoods in Upper Indus

ICIMOD is facilitating the strategic partnership between PCRWR and WWF for a wider conversation cum development of water resources in Pakistan.

Regional training on ‘Glacio-hydrological modelling using the SPHY model’

A training course on ‘Glacio-hydrological modelling using the SPHY model’ was organized from 14–18 December 2015 by ICIMOD under the Indus Basin Initiative. The training was a follow-up to the first training course in 2014 and included newly developed interface components.

Upper Indus Basin Experts’ Field Visit

The objectives of the field visit were to strengthen collaboration between various actors working in the Upper Indus Basin; develop a better understanding of the impact of climate change on the environment in Gilgit Baltistan; and explore options to minimize the adverse impacts of climate and other changes in the basin.

Workshop on Tools for Developing Water Availability and Demand Scenarios

Roundtable on Building Resilience to Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources of the Upper Indus Basin on 25 January 2013

Upper Indus Basin (UIB) Monitoring Working Group