This book presents seven research papers and a note drawing on the final technical reports of eight projects which support knowledge generation and dissemination on the rivers of the greater Himalayas. These are preceded by a synthesis of the key findings of the research papers.

The South Asia Water Initiative (SAWI) is a partnership established in 2009 with the specific objective “to increase regional cooperation in the management of the Himalayan River systems to deliver sustainable, fair and inclusive development and climate resilience”. The Small Grants Programme was officially launched in March 2011, when representatives of 40 research institutions from across the seven SAWI countries convened. The Technical Assessment Panel recommended eight proposals for funding and it is these approved project that the book covers.