scholarly journals Public Participation and Transparency in Water Management

Author(s):  
Lucia De Stefano ◽  
Nuria Hernández-Mora ◽  
Elena López-Gunn ◽  
Bárbara Willaarts ◽  
Pedro Zorrilla-Miras
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1917-1946 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sène ◽  
S. Bonin ◽  
O. Soubeyran

Abstract. Several social scientists have dealt with the usefulness of a participative approach in development plans. The call for sustainable development has increased the focus on this type of approach in a very classical way, which is the case for the creation of new water tanks. Most of these scientists have also pinpointed the major difficulties and failures faced during the execution of this new approach in developing countries. This study is a concrete example which underlines the lack of this type of approach as far as water management in the Senegal River is concerned, mainly in relation to watershed. We base our study on the analysis and criticism of the regional organization OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal River) which is in charge of water management in the Senegal River. The results of the study can, therefore, be summed up as follows: (i) An on-site direct observation, individual interviews, group discussion and information analysis point out the lack of participation of local people in water management in the Senegal River and, in general, the harmful socio-economic impacts resulting from it. (ii) The reasons for this lack of participative approach are mainly due to the model set up by the OMVS in terms of water management in the Senegal River, a model that has excluded or tackled in a very light way the issue of public participation in decision-making through out its juridical and regulation instruments. (iii) Elements of consideration on some measures, which could possibly improve the level of participation of local people in river water management.


2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 365-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Khasankhanova

At present Uzbekistan uses about 42 km3 of transboundary river flow and 27 km3 of this is from the Amu Darya. Annual average flow entering the upper reaches of Amu Darya within Uzbekistan is over 60×109 m3, which is already contaminated, but significant adverse water quality changes occur downstream where the river is the main source of drinking water. After independence Uzbekistan made a commitment to transfer management of farms and the rural economy from the public sector to private hands. Living conditions have deteriorated severely throughout Uzbekistan, but rural areas have been hit hardest. Several studies and projects in Uzbekistan have adopted the integrated water management-based environmental approach. A structured public participation and consultation process was followed during these projects including a social and the environmental assessment. This paper presents the two case studies to illustrate the effects of uniting the potential of all interested participants to improve water management and environmental safety. Consultation between the two main groups of stakeholders is essential for the future of the water sector. There is substantial support for WUAs among all stakeholders, at all levels, including among those stakeholders who currently manage the existing system.


2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
He Dawei ◽  
Chen Jingsheng

Water management issues at the scale of whole river basins are becoming significant public concerns in China. Adverse aspects of basin-wide mismanagement of water resources in China are reviewed and analysed with respect to watershed management organizations, systems and policies, legislation and implementation of law, public participation, and other pertinent fields. Several critical issues in watershed management should be addressed in the immediate future, including divided jurisdiction and overlapping responsibilities of water management agencies, water pricing, lack of attention to non-point sources, absence of legislation regarding both watershed organizations and public participation, and illegal implementation of existing environmental laws and national policies concerning agriculture and farmers. Based on those analyses and worldwide practices, conceptual frameworks for integrated watershed management in China, including organization, legislation and institutions, are put forward both for the short and the long term. As a national focus, the Three Gorges Project is expected to have potentially disastrous environmental impacts. Mismanagement in the Three Gorges watershed is indicated, including piecemeal approaches to management, absence of legislation and a watershed approach that is disintegrated by administrative boundaries.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 2479-2495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Ruiz-Villaverde ◽  
Miguel A. García-Rubio

Water Policy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (S2) ◽  
pp. 101-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Ange Ker Rault ◽  
Heleen Vreugdenhil ◽  
Paul Jeffrey ◽  
Jill Hillary Slinger

Although public participation has received much attention in the context of integrated water resources management, little is known about the readiness and willingness of the wider public to participate. The top-down perception that the public is poorly organised, has limited knowledge and is not interested in participation is a major barrier for the implementation of participation. We illustrate, through four medium-scale surveys in the Levant, that the potential for public participation is present, even in countries with limited exercise of democracy. The study demonstrates that the public is willing to participate and knowledgeable about water management challenges at both the institutional and household level. These conditions for participation are particularly present in countries where water stress is high. The preferred style of participation is active involvement, in order to have a channel to communicate, express opinions and exchange personal understanding of the situation in which one lives.


Water Policy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Creighton

Increasingly, public participation is a precondition for water management decision making. In the USA, water management agencies have been utilizing public participation since the early 1970s, with varying degrees of success and commitment to the process. Some of the US experience may not be transferable to other countries or other cultures. But the author describes basic lessons he believes are fundamental to effective public participation in virtually all countries and situations.


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