Synopsis Limnology - the science concerned with the ecology, conservation and management of inland aquatic ecosystems - both freshwater and saline - has received little attention, in general, in the developing countries. Reognising the urgent need for promoting limnology in developing countries, particularly in the tropics, the International Association of Theoretical and Allied Limnology (SIL) decided as a first step to publish a series of volumes reviewing the state of limnology in each of the developing country. These volumes, being prepared through the SIL's Committee on Limnology in Developing Countries, will provide, besides an overview of the physical environment, water resources and limnological researches, information on the status of conservation and management of aquatic resources, training and research facilities, and scientific organisations in each of the countries. Further, they will identify important gaps in knowledge, and specific needs and priorities. Thus, these reviews are expected to stimulate further research in the respective countries and promote cooperation among scientists and institutions from both developed and developing countries. This volume, the first in a series, includes reviews of limnology in seven countries namely, Ghana, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Pakistan. The contributions bring out the marked differences in inland water resources and limnological programs among the countries.