The water resources play a substantial role in both regional and global food security, supplying water for over half of Asia’s cereal production, and near 25% of World cereal production. The greater Himalayan region – “the roof of the world” – contains the most extensive and rugged high altitude areas on Earth, and the largest areas covered by glaciers and permafrost outside the Polar Regions. The water resources from this area drain through ten of the largest rivers in Asia, in which basins more than 1.3 billion people find their livelihoods.

River basins and their hydrological significance

IEVA RUCEVSKA - UNEP/GRID-Arendal