The Ganga River Basin home to nearly half of India’s population, is facing alarming levels of water stress that could threaten the nation economic stability and energy security, a new global report has warned. The basin supports 45 per cent of India people, contributes 44 per cent of its GDP and houses 25 per cent of its coal fleet making the crisis both environmental and economic in scale.
The report titled No Water, No Growth 2 – Rising Mother River Risks Threaten Half the Total GDP of 16 Asian Countries highlights the vulnerability of major Asian rivers, including the Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra, and Mekong. Released by China Water Risk (CWR) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Geographic Sciences & Natural Resources, it warns that 1.96 billion people, US$10.3 trillion in GDP, and 865 GW of power assets are at risk due to climate change and water scarcity.
Asia’s 10 major rivers the Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra, Mekong, Yangtze, Yellow, Irrawaddy, Amu Darya, Tarim, and Salween together support 16 nations. These rivers are not only vital for drinking water and agriculture but also power industries, cities, and livelihoods. However, overextraction, mismanagement, and climate impacts such as glacial melt and erratic monsoons are pushing them to the brink.
The Ganga River Basin stands out as one of the most critical. The report reveals that 60 to 77 per cent of the Ganga, Indus, Tarim, and Yellow basin areas are under high or extremely high water stress. ‘Water stress’ occurs when the rate of usage exceeds 40 per cent of available resources a threshold that signals severe unsustainability. Rapid urbanisation and migration to river cities like Kolkata and Varanasi are intensifying pressure on already overburdened water systems.
Population growth within the Ganga basin has been the steepest among all river systems, rising by 97 million people significantly higher than the Indus (63 million) and Brahmaputra (22 million). Despite this, the basin continues to drive massive economic output, generating an additional US$676 billion in GDP since 2018, second only to China’s Yangtze River. But experts caution that unchecked water use and pollution could stall this growth.
The report also stresses that water scarcity is intertwined with climate change. Accelerated glacial melt, reduced snowfall, and altered monsoon patterns are reducing river flows, while rising sea levels threaten delta cities such as Kolkata and Dhaka with submersion risks.
To counter these challenges, the authors call for a new approach they term “waternomics” integrating water management with economic and industrial planning. The report praises China’s efforts under its Yangtze River and Yellow River Economic Belt policies, which align growth targets with sustainable water use. India, it says, must follow suit with basin-level strategies to safeguard long-term economic and ecological health.
The Ganga’s worsening condition reflects the broader crisis of Asia’s “triple threat” growing water demand, climate-induced scarcity, and high economic dependence on vulnerable river systems. Without coordinated action, the report warns, nations could face disrupted food production, energy shortages, and declining GDP growth.
Experts say India must urgently implement comprehensive water management reforms, including stricter groundwater regulation, better irrigation efficiency, wastewater recycling, and pollution control. Reviving wetlands, protecting forests in the Himalayan catchments, and restoring river flow continuity could also build resilience.
The report central message is clear: Asia development depends on water, and without sustainable management, future economic growth will dry up literally and figuratively. The Ganga, revered as a sacred river and vital lifeline, now stands as a test of whether India can balance faith, economy, and sustainability in an age of climate crisis.