By Nick Langton and Sagar Prasai

Climate change, combined with rapid population growth and urbanization, is placing intense pressure on South Asia’s most precious resource: water. Over the last decade, devastating floods have displaced millions of people in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Changing rainfall patterns and retreating glaciers are expected to further exacerbate the situation in the years ahead. In this issue perspective, we offer you an insight into the challenges facing water management in the South Asian region and the role civil society can play, written by two specialists with first-hand knowledge: Nick Langton, The Asia Foundation's country representative in India, and Sagar Prasai, the Foundation' deputy country representative in Nepal.