Stepwells, deep wells accessed by descending stairways, were widely used between the 11th and 18th centuries to store rainwater and provide year-round access to groundwater. Once common across large parts of India, many fell into disuse during British colonial rule and were gradually abandoned, buried or converted into dumping sites.

The revival effort has gained momentum as India faces growing water stress. According to World Bank data, around 600 million people in the country experience water shortages, while climate-related droughts have intensified pressure on already strained resources.

One of the most prominent restoration projects is the Bansilalpet stepwell in Secunderabad, in the southern state of Telangana. The 18th-century structure, originally built during the rule of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, had deteriorated into a waste disposal site before being restored in 2022 by the nonprofit Rainwater Project.

Kalpana Ramesh, an urban designer and founder of the organization, said the initiative sought to reconnect communities with traditional water systems while improving local environmental conditions. The restored site has since become a public gathering space and tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each month.

Ramesh said the project demonstrates how existing heritage infrastructure could contribute to water security without requiring entirely new construction. Her organization has restored 30 stepwells across Telangana and is currently working on six additional sites.

The restoration model is also being adopted in other regions. In Maharashtra, another state facing recurring water stress, Pune-based nonprofit Sevavardhi has revived 26 stepwells since 2023, focusing on drought-prone districts.

Its first major project was completed in Jejuri, a pilgrimage town near Pune. According to Sevavardhi Chairwoman Girija Sirshikar, the restored stepwell now supplies substantial quantities of water during the dry months, helping local communities cope with seasonal shortages.

The organization plans to restore at least 100 stepwells over the next several years, combining water conservation objectives with the preservation of historical architecture.

Experts involved in the projects say stepwells offer multiple benefits beyond water storage. Their design allows rainwater to recharge underground aquifers naturally, while their shaded, below-ground structures can provide relief from extreme heat. Historically, they also served as important social and community spaces.

The renewed interest in stepwells reflects a broader search for sustainable water-management solutions as India grapples with rising temperatures, rapid urbanization and increasing demand for freshwater resources.

Conservationists argue that restoring existing stepwells could complement modern infrastructure projects, particularly in historic cities where many of the structures remain intact beneath decades of neglect.

As water scarcity becomes an increasingly pressing challenge across India, the revival of these medieval engineering systems is drawing attention as a practical and culturally significant tool for strengthening long-term water resilience.

Bangladesh is facing a growing challenge in balancing groundwater conservation with the survival of farming communities as water shortages intensify across the country’s northwestern Barind region.

Agricultural experts, government officials and local farmers warn that declining groundwater reserves, driven by climate pressures and decades of intensive extraction, are threatening both food production and rural livelihoods in one of Bangladesh’s most important agricultural zones.

The crisis has prompted renewed debate over how the country can maintain crop production while reducing dependence on underground aquifers that have sustained farming for decades.Development specialists argue that long-term solutions must move beyond emergency restrictions and focus on building more resilient agricultural systems.

According to water and sanitation experts working in Bangladesh, sustainable adaptation requires investment in water-efficient irrigation technologies, climate-resilient crop varieties, climate-smart farming practices and community-led water management initiatives.

Such measures are increasingly viewed as essential as traditional groundwater supplies become less reliable and climate variability makes rainfall patterns more unpredictable.Experts also stress that women must play a central role in future water-management strategies.

In rural Bangladesh, women often bear primary responsibility for household water collection, agricultural labor and family care, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of water scarcity.Water-sector specialists say gender-sensitive approaches to water-service delivery are critical to ensuring equitable access to resources, strengthening community resilience and supporting inclusive decision-making processes.

They argue that policies designed without considering women’s experiences risk overlooking some of the most significant social impacts of water shortages.At the local level, many farmers believe solutions should focus on maximizing the use of surface water rather than relying exclusively on groundwater extraction.

Residents across the Barind region are calling for expanded rainwater harvesting projects, restoration of wetlands and rehabilitation of ponds capable of storing seasonal rainfall for use during dry months. Farmers argue that large quantities of rainwater continue to be lost because existing storage systems are inadequate.

Sreemoti Shobdorani, a farmer from the region, said deeper excavation of ponds could create additional capacity to capture monsoon rainfall and provide irrigation water during extended dry periods. She expressed concern that insufficient attention has been given to preserving water resources above ground.

The proposal reflects a growing recognition among farming communities that long-term water security will require a shift away from exclusive dependence on underground reserves. Surface-water storage projects are increasingly being viewed as a practical way to supplement irrigation supplies while reducing pressure on depleted aquifers.

Government officials acknowledge the seriousness of groundwater depletion and say alternative irrigation systems are being evaluated to ensure agricultural production can continue without further accelerating water loss.Authorities face a difficult balancing act. Restricting groundwater use may help protect dwindling reserves, but it could also reduce agricultural output and threaten incomes in regions where farming remains the primary economic activity.

The stakes are significant for Bangladesh’s broader food security. Agricultural experts estimate that more than 2.5 million hectares of farmland could remain uncultivated if water shortages continue to worsen. Such a scenario could reduce national crop production by approximately 2.7 million tonnes, affecting both local markets and national food supplies.

The economic consequences could extend beyond agriculture. Reduced harvests would likely increase financial pressures on farming households already dealing with rising living costs and recurring climate-related disruptions. Experts warn that prolonged crop failures could deepen rural indebtedness, accelerate migration to urban centers and increase food insecurity among vulnerable populations.

For many communities in the Barind region, the issue is no longer a distant environmental concern but an immediate economic reality. Farmers report increasing difficulties accessing irrigation water, while local residents worry that shortages could become more severe if sustainable alternatives are not developed quickly.

The challenge confronting policymakers is therefore broader than groundwater conservation alone. It involves designing a transition that protects water resources while preserving agricultural livelihoods, maintaining food production and preventing social disruption.Climate change is expected to intensify these pressures in the coming decades through rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and more frequent extreme weather events.

As a result, experts increasingly argue that adaptation strategies must combine environmental protection with economic and social support for affected communities.The experience of the Barind region highlights a growing challenge facing many climate-vulnerable agricultural areas around the world.

As water resources come under increasing pressure, governments are being forced to reconsider how agriculture is managed, how water is allocated and how rural communities can adapt to a future in which access to water can no longer be taken for granted.

For Bangladesh, the success of those efforts may determine not only the future of groundwater reserves but also the sustainability of farming systems that support millions of people and form a cornerstone of the country’s food security.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a press briefing in Islamabad that the projects demonstrated an effort by New Delhi to use water resources as a strategic tool, warning that any move endangering Pakistan’s water security would be met with measures to protect national interests.

“These projects confirm that India seems to weaponize water,” Andrabi said, adding that the initiatives carried serious implications for Pakistan’s economy, regional peace and international security.

The dispute centers on two Indian projects linked to the Chenab River, one of the western rivers allocated to Pakistan under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Islamabad says India failed to consult Pakistan before proceeding with the developments.

In May, India’s state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation issued a tender for a proposed tunnel project designed to transfer water from the Chenab River to the Beas basin. Earlier this year, India’s power ministry also announced sediment-removal work at the Salal Power Station on the Chenab, stating that the activity followed New Delhi’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

India maintains that it is acting within its rights regarding waters under its control. New Delhi has also insisted that its decision to place the treaty in abeyance remains effective despite objections from Pakistan.

The water-sharing agreement, brokered in 1960, has long been regarded as one of the few enduring frameworks of cooperation between the two rivals, surviving multiple wars and periods of severe political tension.

Pakistan argues that the treaty remains legally binding and has repeatedly rejected India’s suspension of the accord. Andrabi said there was no provision allowing either country to unilaterally withdraw from the agreement.

“Any illegal measure to endanger Pakistan’s water, food and economic security as well as the survival and wellbeing of its 250 million people is unacceptable,” he said.

He added that Pakistan would retain all available options to safeguard its rights under the treaty, though he did not specify what actions Islamabad might pursue.

The disagreement has intensified since India suspended its participation in the treaty following an April 2025 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi blamed Islamabad for supporting the attack, an allegation Pakistan denied.

The diplomatic fallout contributed to a sharp military escalation in May 2025, when the two countries exchanged drone, missile and artillery fire, leaving nearly 70 people dead on both sides.

The treaty dispute has also reached international arbitration. Pakistan welcomed a May 15 ruling by a Hague-based arbitration body that it said reinforced the treaty’s continued validity. India rejected the decision, describing the tribunal as illegally constituted and reiterating that its suspension of the agreement remained in force.

Analysts have increasingly warned that water management could become a major source of friction in South Asia as climate change, population growth and agricultural demand place mounting pressure on shared river systems.

A controversial reform to Ley de Glaciares has intensified debate in Argentina, as the government moves to relax environmental protections in high-altitude regions to facilitate mining investment.

The decision has triggered protests from environmental groups and raised concerns among communities dependent on glacier-fed water systems.The shift follows years of tensions surrounding mining operations such as the Veladero mine, a gold and silver project that began operating in 2005 in San Juan Province.

The mine, jointly owned by Barrick Mining Corporation and Shandong Gold, has long been at the center of environmental scrutiny. A cyanide spill in 2015 polluted rivers in the region, raising concerns about downstream water safety in the Jáchal basin, although subsequent studies indicated that contamination levels remained within safe limits.

Additional spills reported in 2016 and 2017 remain under investigation.Local residents and environmental advocates have argued that operations at Veladero violate glacier protection laws, which were originally designed to prohibit industrial activity in sensitive high-mountain ecosystems.

These concerns have persisted despite legal challenges by mining companies, including attempts to have the law declared unconstitutional, which were rejected by Argentina’s Supreme Court.The newly approved reform, backed by President Javier Milei, introduces significant changes to how glacier protection is applied.

Passed by 137 votes to 111 in the Chamber of Deputies following earlier Senate approval, the legislation allows provincial authorities to determine which glaciers and periglacial areas qualify for protection.

The criteria hinge on whether these ice formations serve a “relevant water function,” effectively decentralizing decision-making that was previously governed by national standards.

Government officials argue that the reform is essential to unlocking Argentina’s mineral wealth, particularly as global demand for critical resources such as lithium and copper rises in response to the energy transition.

Milei described the previous framework as overly restrictive, stating that it created “artificial obstacles” and prevented development even in areas lacking significant environmental value.However, critics contend that the changes weaken a foundational environmental safeguard.

Andrés Nápoli, executive director of the Foundation of Environment and Natural Resources, warned that the reform undermines protections for key water reserves. He argued that linking glacier exploitation to sustainable energy goals presents a contradiction, emphasizing that glaciers play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance.

Environmental groups estimate that approximately 7 million people, or 16 percent of Argentina’s population, rely on glacier-fed water systems. Beyond supplying rivers, glaciers regulate fragile ecosystems that are increasingly vulnerable to climate change.

In the country’s northwest, scientists report that glacier mass has declined by around 17 percent over the past decade, heightening concerns about long-term water availability.The reform has prompted public demonstrations, including protests organized by Greenpeace outside the National Congress.

Several activists were detained earlier this year during a demonstration coinciding with Senate deliberations. Protesters argue that transferring authority to provincial governments risks prioritizing short-term economic gains over environmental sustainability.

Supporters of the reform, including provincial leaders in resource-rich regions, maintain that the previous law was overly broad and hindered investment in areas where environmental impact is minimal. Luis Lucero stated during a congressional hearing that framing mining and environmental protection as mutually exclusive is misleading, describing it as a misconception that should be removed from public discourse.

Experts caution that the issue extends beyond technical definitions of glaciers. Ruiz noted that glaciers are dynamic systems whose role in water supply can vary over time, making it difficult to assess their importance through fixed criteria.

He argued that the debate is ultimately political, centering on who has the authority to determine what constitutes a resource worth protecting.In communities such as Jáchal, the stakes are immediate and tangible. Residents have expressed fears about water contamination and long-term environmental degradation.

Activists like Zeballos, a local campaigner, have taken personal measures such as avoiding river water, citing concerns over safety. For many, the issue is framed not only as an environmental question but as one of survival.The reform underscores the broader challenge facing resource-rich nations seeking to balance economic development with environmental preservation.

As Argentina positions itself as a key supplier of minerals critical to global energy systems, tensions between national growth strategies and local ecological concerns are likely to intensify.

Iran’s military renewed its warning on Sunday, saying it would target energy, information technology and desalination facilities linked to the United States and Israel if its own infrastructure continued to be hit.

The statement, issued by the Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command and carried by Fars news agency, followed a 48-hour ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on Iranian power plants.

The threats mark a rare escalation into water systems, which have historically been less frequent targets in warfare. However, recent incidents suggest a shift. Bahrain said an Iranian drone strike on March 8 damaged a desalination plant, though authorities reported no disruption to supply.

Iran, in turn, accused the United States of striking a desalination facility on Qeshm Island that supplies dozens of villages, calling it a dangerous precedent. Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said multiple water transmission and treatment facilities had been hit, damaging critical supply networks.

Analysts warn that targeting such infrastructure could significantly widen the conflict. Water economist Esther Crauser-Delbourg said earlier this month that attacks on water systems risk triggering “a war far more enormous” than the current confrontation.

The Middle East’s dependence on desalination heightens the stakes. According to World Bank data, water availability in the region is roughly one-tenth of the global average, making engineered water supply systems essential.

The region accounts for about 42% of global desalination capacity, with Gulf states relying heavily on the technology for drinking water. Desalinated water supplies around 42% of demand in the United Arab Emirates, 70% in Saudi Arabia, 86% in Oman and 90% in Kuwait, based on a 2022 report by the French Institute of International Relations.

Large urban centres such as Dubai and Riyadh depend on uninterrupted operation of these plants. A U.S. intelligence assessment cited in earlier diplomatic communications warned that disruption of desalination systems could have more severe consequences than the loss of any other major industry in the region.

Desalination plants face multiple risks in a conflict environment, including direct missile or drone strikes, power outages and contamination of intake water from oil spills.

Operators have moved to strengthen protection. Philippe Bourdeaux, a regional executive at French utility Veolia, said access controls around facilities had been reinforced and authorities in some countries had deployed missile defence systems near major plants.

Facilities are often interconnected, allowing some redistribution of supply if one site is damaged. Most also maintain reserves equivalent to two to seven days of consumption, providing a limited buffer against short-term disruptions.

Direct attacks on desalination infrastructure have been relatively rare. Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have previously targeted such facilities in Saudi Arabia, while coalition strikes have hit water systems in Yemen. Israeli operations have also affected water infrastructure in Gaza, according to conflict monitoring data.

Broader targeting of water systems dates back to the 1991 Gulf War, but experts say the current scale of dependence on desalination makes the risks more acute.Prolonged outages could trigger severe consequences, including water rationing and population displacement from major cities.

Disruptions would also affect industries reliant on water, including tourism, manufacturing and data centres, amplifying the economic fallout of the conflict.