Scientific evidence on climate change leading to drying up of rivers in Gujarat is overwhelming, as it points to significant risks of water scarcity. Experts say, Gujarat needs judicious investments in infrastructures that conserve, enhance and utilize water optimally with a long-term view. When huge investments for water projects like Narmada canals and Sabarmati riverfront were committed, the information to assess risks such as from climate change was less known. But now, when the information is available and is pointing towards a l a r m i n g trends, it must be used in project assessments. The conventional Env i ro n m e n t a l Impacts Assessment (EIA), req u i re d for enviro n - mental clearance of projects, evaluates only the costs and risks posed by projects to the environment. "What is needed now is the assessment of risks to investments in long-life assets arising from changing clim at e and local environment, ie a reverse EIA,' says member of Intergovernmental Pa n e l on Clim at e Change (IPCC) and IIM faculty Priyadarshi Shukla. All new investments in longterm assets, especially infrastructure assets which service climate-dependent resources like water or are exposed to climate, should be required to make such assessment. The old or already cleared upcoming projects should also reassess the risks and develop plans for adaptation to mitigate the risks. Shukla feels that even for the iconic projects like Narmada canals or Sabarmati riverfront, such reverse impact assessment does not exist and should be carried out urgently.