#distribution network in india

[distributorschannel1]

Bharat Ka Distributors

Welcome to Bharat Ka Distributors:

Bharat ka Distributors is a premier B2B platform designed to serve small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as distributors. It brings together manufacturers, traders, distributors, brand owners, and others on a unified platform to facilitate business growth and support. The Distributors Channel enables users to discover a wide range of trade opportunities, linking companies in search of reliable distributors with distributors looking for trustworthy business partners.

Who Are We? 

Bharat ka Distributors is crafted to simplify the business experience for distributors, channel partners, and manufacturers. Our goal is to build a strong network where business needs are transformed into profitable opportunities. We assist distributors in finding suitable brands within their comfort zone, recognizing that securing distributorship in Indian towns is a challenging task. To support this, we host thousands of brands on our platform, offering distributors the flexibility to select based on their preferences. We take on the responsibility of negotiating with manufacturers, generating business opportunities, preventing fraud, and meeting the needs of distributors. Our core mission is to provide expert guidance to help distributors enhance their success, including access to credit facilities and the momentum needed to drive their businesses forward. With a community of 17,000 manufacturers and 197,000 distributors across India, Bharat ka Distributors is more than just a platform—it's a family. Join us as we continue to make an impact in the industry by leveraging the power of distribution networking. At Bharat Ka Distributors, we make the distributorship process simple!

Our Vision:

Bharat Ka Distributors is dedicated to providing a straightforward and transparent platform for entrepreneurs, nurturing the development of a robust and dynamic business network.

Our Mission:

Our aim is to boost product sales and distribution using innovative online marketing strategies. We are committed to modernizing traditional markets by embracing digital transformation, leading to increased profitability.

Our Expo:

Bharat ka Distributors successfully hosted expos in Delhi, Noida, Lucknow, Gujarat, and various other cities, attracting a diverse array of manufacturers and distributors. The event was a significant success, offering an ideal platform for networking, product showcases, and discovering new business opportunities. Attendees had the chance to connect with potential partners, discuss industry trends, and establish valuable relationships. The high turnout and positive feedback underscore the expo's role in promoting business growth and collaboration. Distributors Channel continues to be dedicated to organizing impactful events that drive innovation and reinforce connections within the industry.

[tubetrading]

Breaker pull rod manufacturers in India | radiantenterprises

Radiant Enterprises is a leading breaker pull rod manufacturer in India, providing high-quality products designed to support power distribution networks globally. With our specialized breaker pull rod export services, we cater to international clients seeking reliable and durable components for efficient power management. Our expertise in breaker pull rod import and export ensures that clients receive the best solutions tailored to their needs, making us a trusted partner in the energy sector.

Choose Radiant Enterprises for reliable, innovative, and customized solutions in the realm of breaker pull rod.

[directsellingnow]

Direct Selling Industry: FEDSI ने मोदी सरकार से की बजट में राहत और सुधारों की मांग

Direct Selling Industry: फेडरेशन ऑफ इंडियन डायरेक्ट सेलिंग इंडस्ट्रीज (FIDSI) ने माननीय प्रधानमत्री  नरेंद्र मोदी को डायरेक्ट सेलिंग इंडस्ट्री के संदर्भ में आगामी बजट के लिए कुछ सुझाव प्रस्तुत किए। FIDSI का मुख्य उद्देश्य सरकार और डायरेक्ट सेलिंग व्यवसायों के बीच एक ब्रिज के रूप में कार्य करना है।  Direct Selling Industry FIDSI ने निम्नलिखित सुझाव दिए हैं: . 5 लाख तक की आय के लिए TDS की छूट: छोटे…

[arkon-solution]

Unravel the vital thread of healthcare through Arkon Solutions' Wholesale Distribution Network in India. Explore how our commitment to seamless distribution weaves the fabric of accessibility, connecting communities and ensuring the steady flow of essential medical supplies across the nation.

[techmarkethunter]

Tata Consumer Products Ltd Joins the Rs 1 Lakh Crore Club in Market Cap Milestone

Title: Tata Consumer Products Ltd Joins the Rs 1 Lakh Crore Club in Market Cap Milestone Introduction:In a significant milestone, Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) has achieved a market capitalization of over Rs 1 lakh crore, solidifying its position as the sixth Tata group company to achieve this feat. This achievement follows a merger in February 2020, bringing together Tata Global Beverages…

[poojascmi]

India Cigar and Cigarillos Market Is Estimated To Witness High Growth Owing To Increasing Demand for Premium Cigars

The India Cigar and Cigarillos market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2,784.0 Th in 2020 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.5% over the forecast period 2021-2028, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. A) Market Overview: Cigars and cigarillos are tobacco products that are rolled in a tobacco leaf and are larger in size compared to cigarettes. They are known for their premium quality and distinct flavors, making them popular among consumers who enjoy smoking tobacco leisurely. The Indian cigar and cigarillos market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by an increasing number of individuals who prefer premium cigars as a status symbol and for relaxation purposes. The Indian cigar and cigarillos market offer a variety of options, including hand-rolled cigars, machine-made cigars, flavored cigars, and more. These products are associated with a rich flavor profile and a unique smoking experience. The demand for cigars and cigarillos has also been fueled by the growing popularity of cigar lounges and clubs, where individuals can socialize and enjoy their favorite tobacco products in a luxurious setting. B) Market Key Trends: One key trend observed in the Indian cigar and cigarillos market is the increasing demand for premium cigars. Consumers are showing a growing interest in high-quality, hand-rolled cigars that offer a unique taste and experience. This trend can be attributed to the rising disposable income levels and changing lifestyles of individuals. Premium cigars are often associated with luxury and sophistication, making them a popular choice among affluent consumers. For example, Gurkha Cigar Group, one of the key players in the Indian cigar and cigarillos market, offers a range of premium cigars that are crafted with rare and exotic tobaccos. These cigars are known for their exquisite flavors, impeccable construction, and beautiful packaging, attracting cigar enthusiasts who appreciate the finer things in life. C) PEST Analysis: Political: The political landscape in India plays a significant role in shaping the cigar and cigarillos market. Government regulations and policies regarding tobacco products, including taxes and advertising restrictions, can impact the growth and distribution of cigars and cigarillos. Economic: The economic conditions in India, such as GDP growth, inflation rates, and consumer spending patterns, influence the purchasing power of consumers and their willingness to spend on premium tobacco products. Social: The social factors shaping the Indian cigar and cigarillos market include changing lifestyles, cultural preferences, and the perception of cigars as a status symbol. Social acceptance and preferences towards smoking also impact the demand for these products. Technological: Technological advancements in the manufacturing process of cigars and cigarillos can improve product quality, consistency, and efficiency. Innovations in packaging and storage techniques also play a role in preserving the freshness and flavor of cigars. D) Key Takeaways: 1: The India Cigar and Cigarillos Market is expected to witness high growth, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.5% over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to increasing demand for premium cigars among consumers. Premium cigars offer a unique taste and smoking experience, making them popular among individuals who seek luxury and sophistication. 2: In terms of regional analysis, India is expected to be the fastest-growing and dominating region in the cigar and cigarillos market. The country has a large population of cigar enthusiasts who appreciate premium tobacco products. Additionally, India's evolving economic landscape and increasing disposable income levels contribute to the growth of the market.

[satyamcargomovers]

Movers and packers in Dwarka sector-1

[fatehbaz]

What it meant to "do geology" in Hutton's time was to apply lessons of textual hermeneutics usually reserved for scripture [...] to the landscape. Geology was itself textual. Rocks were marks made by invisible processes that could be deciphered. Doing geology was a kind of reading, then, which existed in a dialectical relationship with writing. In The Theory of the Earth from 1788, Hutton wrote a new history of the earth as a [...] system [...]. Only a few kilometers away from Hutton’s unconformity [the geological site at Isle of Arran in Scotland that inspired his writing], [...] stands the remains of the Shell bitumen refinery [closed since 1986] as it sinks into the Atlantic Ocean. [...] As Hutton thought, being in a place is a hermeneutic practice. [...] [T]he Shell refinery at Ardrossan is a ruin of that machine, one whose great material derangements have defined the world since Hutton. [...]

The Shell Transport and Trading Company [now the well-known global oil company] was created in the Netherlands East Indies in 1897. The company’s first oil wells and refineries were in east Borneo [...]. The oil was taken by puncturing wells into subterranean deposits of a Bornean or Sumatran landscape, and then transported into an ever-expanding global network of oil depots at ports [...] at Singapore, then Chennai, and through the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean. [...] The oil in these networks were Bornean and Sumatran landscapes on the move. Combustion engines burnt those landscapes. Machinery was lubricated by them. They illuminated the night as candlelight. [...] The Dutch East Indies was the new land of untapped promise in that multi-polar world of capitalist competition. British and Dutch colonial prospectors scoured the forests, rivers, and coasts of Borneo [...]. Marcus Samuel, the British founder of the Shell Transport and Trading Company, as his biographer [...] put it, was “mesmerized by oil, and by the vision of commanding oil all along the line from production to distribution, from the bowels of the earth to the laps of the Orient.” [...]

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Shell emerged from a Victorian era fascination with shells.

In the 1830s, Marcus Samuel Sr. created a seashell import business in Houndsditch, London. The shells were used for decorating the covers of curio boxes. Sometimes, the boxes also contained miniature sculptures, also made from shells, of food and foliage, hybridizing oceanic and terrestrial life forms. Wealthy shell enthusiasts would sometimes apply shells to grottos attached to their houses. As British merchant vessels expanded into east Asia after the dissolution of the East India Company’s monopoly on trade in 1833, and the establishment of ports at Singapore and Hong Kong in 1824 and 1842, the import of exotic shells expanded.

Seashells from east Asia represented the oceanic expanse of British imperialism and a way to bring distant places near, not only the horizontal networks of the empire but also its oceanic depths.

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The fashion for shells was also about telling new histories. The presence of shells, the pecten, or scallop, was a familiar bivalve icon in cultures on the northern edge of the Mediterranean. Aphrodite, for example, was said to have emerged from a scallop shell. Minerva was associated with scallops. Niches in public buildings and fountains in the Roman empire often contained scallop motifs. St. James, the patron saint of Spain, was represented by a scallop shell [...]. The pecten motif circulated throughout medieval European coats of arms, even in Britain. In 1898, when the Gallery of Palaeontology, Comparative Anatomy, and Anthropology was opened in Paris’s Museum of Natural History - only two years after the first test well was drilled in Borneo at the Black Spot - the building’s architect, Ferdinand Dutert, ornamented the entrance with pecten shell reliefs. In effect, Dutert designed the building so that one entered through scallop shells and into the galleries where George Cuvier’s vision of the evolution of life forms was displayed [...]. But it was also a symbol for the transition between an aquatic form of life and terrestrial animals. Perhaps it is apposite that the scallop is structured by a hinge which allows its two valves to rotate. [...] Pectens also thrive in the between space of shallow coastal waters that connects land with the depths of the ocean. [...] They flourish in architectural imagery, in the mind, and as the logo of one of the largest ever fossil fuel companies. [...]

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In the 1890s, Marcus Samuel Jr. transitioned from his father’s business selling imported seashells to petroleum.

When he adopted the name Shell Transport and Trading Company in 1897, Samuel would likely have known that the natural history of bivalves was entwined with the natural history of fossil fuels. Bivalves underwent an impressive period of diversification in the Carboniferous period, a period that was first named by William Conybeare and William Phillips in 1822 to identify coal bearing strata. In other words, the same period in earth’s history that produced the Black Spot that Samuel’s engineers were seeking to extract from Dayak land was also the period that produced the pecten shells that he named his company after. Even the black fossilized leaves that miners regularly encountered in coal seams sometimes contained fossilized bivalve shells.

The Shell logo was a materialized cosmology, or [...] a cosmogram.

Cosmograms are objects that attempt to represent the order of the cosmos; they are snapshots of what is. The pecten’s effectiveness as a cosmogram was its pivot, to hinge, between spaces and times: it brought the deep history of the earth into the present; the Black Spot with Mediterranean imaginaries of the bivalve; the subterranean space of liquid oil with the surface. The history of the earth was made legible as an energetic, even a pyrotechnical force. The pecten represented fire, illumination, and certainly, power. [...] If coal required tunnelling, smashing, and breaking the ground, petroleum was piped liquid that streamed through a drilled hole. [...] In 1899, Samuel presented a paper to the Society of Arts in which he outlined his vision of “liquid fuel.” [...] Ardrossan is a ruin of that fantasy of a free flowing fossil fuel world. [...] At Ardrossan, that liquid cosmology is disintegrating.

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All text above by: Adam Bobbette. "Shells and Shell". e-flux Architecture (Accumulation series). November 2023. At: e-flux dot com slash architecture/accumulation/553455/shells-and-shell/ [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticisms purposes.]

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

AMC Picks Up Captain Nemo Origin Series ‘Nautilus’ From Disney, Plans to Air Show in 2024

The Captain Nemo origin story series “Nautilus” lives on, with AMC Networks licensing the U.S. and Canadian linear and streaming rights to the live-action series from Disney Entertainment.

The 10-episode show was originally slated to air on Disney+, but it was announced back in August that the show was not going forward at the streamer as part of a wide-ranging cost cutting initiative at the Mouse House.

AMC and AMC+ will now air the show as a special television event in 2024, with an exact premiere date to be announced later. Inspired by Jules Vernes’ “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” the show will explore the early life of Captain Nemo, who is played by Shazad Latif. The character is described as “an Indian Prince robbed of his birthright and family, a prisoner of the East India Mercantile Company and a man bent on revenge against the forces that have taken everything from him.”

“’Nautilus’ is a big, sweeping drama that is sure to appeal to fans of our Anne Rice Immortal Universe and other buzzy and fan-forward series like ‘Orphan Black: Echoes,’” said Ben Davis, executive vice president of original programming for AMC Networks and AMC Studios. “We are looking forward to bringing it to AMC+ and AMC as a special television event next year.”

Along with Latif, the cast of the show includes Georgia Flood, Thierry Fremont and Céline Menville, with guest appearances from Richard E. Grant, Anna Torv and Noah Taylor.

The series was developed and produced by Moonriver TV’s Xavier Marchand and Seven Stories’ Anand Tucker. James Dormer serves as writer and executive producer. Johanna Devereaux, Chris Loveall, Colleen Woodcock, and Daisy Gilbert also executive produce. Cameron Welsh serves as producer. Michael Matthews was the lead director.

“I am hugely excited that the efforts of everyone involved in the making of the show will be seen on such a prestigious network,” said Dormer.

“We are so thrilled to present the epic adventures of Captain Nemo and his legendary submarine The Nautilus alongside the other incredible AMC universes,” said Marchand and Tucker. “The series will take viewers on a breathtaking journey with Nemo and his crew, battling terrifying creatures and the dark forces of the British Empire.”

“Nautilus” is distributed by Disney Entertainment and acknowledges the support from the Australian Government’s Location Incentive and from the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy.

Source: The Variety

[distributorschannel1]

B2B Distributors in India || Retail Distributors in India || Indian Distributors for Consumer Goods || Bharat Ka Distributors || Distributors Channel ||

 Exploring Distributorship Opportunities:

A Guide to Leveraging Distributors Channel:

In today’s competitive market, businesses are constantly looking for ways to expand their reach and improve their distribution strategies. Whether you are a startup looking to introduce your product to a broader audience or an established company aiming to increase your market presence, acquiring a distributorship can be a game-changing move. One of the most effective ways to do this is by leveraging distributors channel. These networks can offer a range of services, from helping you find the right distributor to guiding you through the complexities of the distribution process.

Understanding the Role of Distributors Channel:

Distributors channel are networks or platforms that connect manufacturers and producers with distributors. These channels play a crucial role in the supply chain by ensuring that products reach the market efficiently. They serve as a bridge between companies looking to distribute their products and those seeking distributorship opportunities. By tapping into these channels, businesses can access a wealth of resources, including market insights, industry connections, and logistical support.

Why Consider a Distributorship?

Obtaining a distributorship offers numerous benefits. For businesses, it’s a way to penetrate new markets without having to invest heavily in infrastructure or logistics. Distributors, on the other hand, provide local market knowledge, established customer bases, and the necessary distribution network to ensure that products are delivered to the right places at the right time.

Market Expansion: By partnering with distributors, businesses can expand their reach into new geographic regions or market segments that might otherwise be difficult to access.

Cost Efficiency: Working with a distributor can be more cost-effective than establishing your own distribution channels. This is particularly beneficial for smaller companies or startups with limited resources.

Focus on Core Competencies: Partnering with a distributor allows businesses to focus on what they do best—whether that's manufacturing, marketing, or product development—while leaving the logistics and distribution to experts.

How to Leverage Distributors Channel

To leverage distributors channels effectively, start by researching and identifying the right distributors that align with your market needs. Build strong relationships through regular communication and provide them with necessary support, including training and marketing materials. Negotiate favorable terms, ensuring clear expectations and incentives for performance. Stay compliant with legal and regulatory requirements, drafting comprehensive contracts. Collaborate on co-marketing initiatives to boost brand presence, and regularly monitor and evaluate distributor performance using key performance indicators. This strategic approach will help maximize your distribution network's efficiency and drive business growth.

Conclusion

Distributors channel offer a valuable opportunity for businesses looking to expand their reach and optimize their distribution strategy. By connecting with these networks, you can access the resources and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of distribution, enter new markets, and grow your business. Whether you are new to the market or an established player, leveraging distributors channels can be a powerful tool for achieving your business goals.

[mariacallous]

In Liu Cixin’s science fiction novel The Dark Forest—part of the popular Three-Body Problem series recently serialized by Netflix—humanity is faced with the prospect of an alien invasion. The extraterrestrials are on their way to conquer Earth but are still light years away; humanity has hundreds of years to prepare for their hostile arrival.

Amid a need to bolster defense spending globally and, crucially, to foster innovation across the entire world, representatives of the global south make a proposal at the United Nations. Developing countries demand a universal waiver of intellectual property protections on inventions relevant to defense to enable them to develop their own technologies and contribute to planetary fortification. In Liu’s story, the global south’s call meets staunch opposition from wealthier states, which veto the proposal. Although set in an imagined future, Liu’s point resonates clearly in our own time.

The most recent parallel is the global vaccine hoarding that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the height of the emergency, rich countries bought up and hoarded COVID-19 vaccine supplies, which left many developing countries unable to obtain sufficient vaccines during 2021-22. Even when they arrived, donations of leftover doses from high-income countries were often too close to their expiration dates for developing countries to actually use them.

Global south states sought to build up their own secure vaccine production capacity but were stymied. Critically, vaccine manufacturers, such as Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, refused to share IP-protected technology with World Health Organization (WHO) initiatives, such as C-TAP and the mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub, that were attempting to create a network of distributed vaccine production. It is estimated that such hoarding cost more than 1 million lives in developing states.

Remarkably, the global south saw this coming. Even before a single COVID-19 vaccine had been administered, developing countries accurately anticipated that they would be left at the back of the line for supplies. Burned by the experience of HIV/AIDS medicine shortages in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the global south predicted similar inequities occurring during the COVID-19 crisis—and they tried to act to prevent this.

In October 2020, this foresight motivated developing countries, led by South Africa and India at the World Trade Organization (WTO), to propose an international waiver of IP protections—known as a TRIPS waiver—on COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and other health technologies. Much as in Liu’s story, the global north firmly rejected the proposal, leading to a delayed and watered-down WTO decision in June 2022 that I, and other academic experts, argued was too little, too late.

Crucially, we can observe the same pattern emerging yet again in the current negotiations over the WHO Pandemic Accord. Just like Liu’s vision of humanity preparing for an inevitable alien invasion but unwilling to share technologies globally, the world remains stuck in a doom loop. Another pandemic is foreseeable. A new treaty could provide a way for the international community to learn the lessons of COVID-19 and boost pandemic preparedness. Yet the world is making the same mistakes all over again.

Given the failures of the WTO process, experienced commentators such as Ellen ‘t Hoen anticipated that shifting the debate to WHO could help ensure that similar inequalities do not arise during the next pandemic. Many hoped that WHO, with its overriding focus on global health, would be a more receptive forum to the global south’s equity concerns than the WTO, which prioritizes IP via TRIPS, one of its foundational 1995 agreements.

However, thus far, the negotiations have been hampered by the same issue that blighted the WTO TRIPS waiver process: Rich states are unwilling to agree to any potential pandemic-related limitation of international IP rights or to expand IP flexibilities to include nonvoluntary options such as a mechanism for the compulsory licensing of trade secrets on pharmaceutical manufacturing processes needed for scaling up production of pandemic products.

Broadly speaking, developing countries want terms that would mandate technology transfer of key health technologies, such as vaccines, to the global south. Rich countries decry this suggestion, claiming it could undermine IP rights.

Hence, wealthy nations are balking at the use of progressive language on the compulsory use of IP in Article 11 of the draft accord. Instead, the U.S. government emphasizes supporting voluntary agreements—without acknowledging that the voluntary systems, including COVAX, failed to provide for the needs of citizens in many global south countries during the COVID-19 era.

In these negotiations, several key parties, such as the European Union and the United Kingdom, argue that a WHO treaty cannot deal with IP issues because that would equate to trespassing on rules that the WTO created. This back-and-forth between the WTO and WHO reflects an asymmetric power game that the global south is not well placed to win.

With no movement on IP, developing countries seem less willing to agree on a rare point of leverage, namely, the terms of Article 12, which addresses pathogen access and benefit-sharing. Put simply, developing countries are concerned that if they agree to terms on restriction-free sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential, without reciprocal guarantees of technology-sharing and health product distribution, they will be left at the back of the line again in the next pandemic.

Wealthy countries may be succeeding at reducing this leverage; recent news reports suggest that detailed provisions on pathogen-sharing may be shifted to a separate instrument.

It seems that for rich states, property is sacrosanct; global health is not. Yet, rather than property, it is worth recalling that patents were originally considered to be a form of state-granted privilege. In the 19th century, industrial states viewed IP not as an instrument of free trade but rather as a form of trade protectionism.

This idea of IP as protectionist privilege remains a more accurate description of what global IP law is intended to achieve. Much as in Liu’s novel, the stark reality is that there is no circumstance—not a new pandemic, not even an alien invasion—in which the global north would be willing to give up its protectionist privileges by sharing its technology with the global south.

With the WTO in decline and the WHO multilateral process in trouble, the global south may have to examine alternative options for building up pandemic preparedness. Intriguingly, Netflix’s 3 Body Problem envisages this. Unlike in the book, on TV the U.N. resolution for open technology-sharing is never even proposed.

Instead, a Mexican national who happens to be the chief scientific officer of a cutting-edge nanotech company becomes frustrated by Western corporate-military obstructionism and decides to upload all her London-based employer’s source code and trade secrets to open-source platforms with the aim of assisting developing countries to produce the technology. She even includes a downloadable guide on how to copy the functionality of the technology while avoiding IP infringement.

This fictional feint away from the multilateral forum and toward individual decision-making parallels real-world moves toward open-source biotech. This approach has been pioneered by Peter Hotez and Maria Elena Bottazzi of Baylor University, who created the patent-free COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax. They successfully transferred the vaccine technology openly to producers in Botswana and India. Meanwhile, the WHO mRNA hub at Afrigen in South Africa led by Petro Terblanche is encouraging open south-south collaboration on new vaccine technologies.

If the Pandemic Accord negotiations falter before the World Health Assembly begins on May 27 or they fail to produce a just treaty, efforts such as these will take on even greater importance. An inequitable Pandemic Accord will signal that Liu was right: The global north will continue to hoard technologies even in the face of looming Armageddon, and south-south collaboration on producing health technologies may be the only way forward for enhancing global pandemic preparedness.

[dailyanarchistposts]

Water is essential for all life on Earth. But one-third of the world’s population do not have access to a supply of safe drinking water (a situation that is worsening). A third of all deaths in the world are the results of water-borne diseases. Water is a limited but endlessly renewed resource; its pollution, mismanagement and overuse by corporations, governments and people (turned into ‘consumers’ in a world that is not of their making) threaten to turn a global crisis into a long-term planetary disaster. The Vice-President of the World Bank, Ismail Seregeldin, stated in 1995 that “the wars of the next century will be over water… by the year 2025, the amount of water available to each person in the Middle East and North Africa will have dropped by 80% in a single lifetime”.

Disputes and Wars

40% of the world’s population depend on water from a neighbouring country. Over 200 large rivers are shared by two or more countries. In modern times the existence of vast cities, irrigated agriculture and the demand for hydro-electric power have led countries to claim or steal water resources once used by others. The cutting up of river systems by state boundaries has aggravated the problems of responding to floods. The political and engineering structures that bring economic power and political control to national and international elites also threaten lives and livelihoods. One reason for Turkey’s refusal to grant autonomy to the Kurds is the importance of water resources in eastern Turkey. Attempts to divert the sources of the River Jordan in South Lebanon and the Golan Heights provoked the Israeli-Arab War of 1967. Following this, Israel began to appropriate water supplies to support new settlements and supply towns and industry in Israel proper: Israel annually pumps 600 million cubic metres of water (over 30% of its supply) from aquifers that lie wholly or partly under the West Bank. 115 million cubic metres are allocated to the 1.4m West Bank Palestinians and 30m to 130,000 Jewish settlers; the rest (455 million cubic metres) goes to Israel. West Bank Palestinians have been barred from digging new wells or renovating old ones since 1967. Egypt offered Israel 400m cubic metres of fresh water a year to settle its conflict and assist the Palestinians; but there is still no agreement over water for the West Bank. There is a continuous threat of water wars in South Asia between India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Large-scale deforestation upstream results in increasingly widespread flood disasters below. Punjab water was an important contributory factor to the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. Hindu nationalism has been fuelled by the unfair distribution of India’s water to the Sikh Punjab and led to the storming of the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1984.

Modern wars depend on the destruction of the civilian population’s means of life and livelihood. In 1991 in Iraq, for example, the deliberate destruction of power supplies by bombing and war created a huge health problem. Over 90% of sewage treatment plants were disabled with huge amounts of untreated domestic and industrial sewage being pumped into rivers, creating an increase in water-borne diseases. Agricultural production was slashed by the breakdown of the electrically powered irrigation network. Before the Gulf War Iraq produced 30% of its food. Prior to the US-UK assault on Iraq in 2003, the figure was 10–15%.