Water harvesting and better cropping systems for the benefit of small farmers in watersheds of the East India Plateau

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Croke ◽  
P. Cornish ◽  
K. Choudhry ◽  
D. Kharmakar ◽  
A. Chakraborty ◽  
...  

This paper discusses an integrated approach for water resource management to improve rural livelihoods in the East India Plateau. This has involved linking hydrological, agronomic and social aspects to increase access to water, improve water use efficiency and develop capacity within the villages for better decision making regarding use of the available resources. To this end, the research adopted a participatory, action-learning approach, with villagers joining in developing research questions, executing experiments, collecting data and sharing in their interpretation, as well as planning intervention work designed to improve access to water, particularly in the early dry season. The focus of this paper is on the integration of the different aspects of water resource management, with particular emphasis on the social issues. This included working with women's self-help groups and village watershed committees, and specific efforts to engage women in research and related development activities. The result has been an improved capacity within the village for managing water resources, including improved self-perceptions as farmers (especially women), better understanding of the potential resources and any constraints (e.g. soil fertility) and knowledge of how to manage the constraints (e.g. fertilisers), as well as a better understanding of the social capacities within the village.

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sleemin Lee ◽  
Doosun Kang

The increasing frequency of extreme droughts and flash floods in recent years due to climate change has increased the interest in sustainable water use and efficient water resource management. Because the water resource sector is closely related to human activities and affected by interactions between the humanities and social sciences, there is a need for interdisciplinary research that can consider various elements, such as society and the economy. This study elucidates relationships within the social and hydrological systems and quantitatively analyzes the effects of a multi-purpose dam on the target society using a system dynamics model. A causal loop was used to identify causal relationships between the social and hydrological components of the target area, and a simulation model was constructed using the system dynamics technique. Additionally, climate change and socio-economic scenarios were applied to analyze the future effects of the multi-purpose dam on population change, the regional economy, water use, and flood damage prevention in the target area. The model proved reliable in predicting socio-economic changes in the target area and can be used to make decisions about efficient water resource management and water-resource-related facility planning.


Water Policy ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1334-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyoti S. Jennewein ◽  
Kelly W. Jones

Operationalizing integrated water resource management (IWRM) often involves decentralization of water management via community-based management (CBM). While attention has been given to the components leading to successful CBM, less is known about what factors motivate people's willingness to participate (WTP) in such programs. This study analyzed factors that influence household WTP in CBM in a transboundary watershed located where El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras converge – the Trifinio Region. Several variables were hypothesized to influence WTP: sense of community (SOC), dependence on water resources, level of concern for water resources, and socio-economic characteristics. In 2014, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 62 households in five communities. Most respondents reported high levels of WTP in future CBM initiatives, and multivariate regression analysis revealed that SOC was the most important predictor of WTP, with wealth and perceptions of watershed management also statistically significant. Qualitative analyses revealed water availability was more concerning than water quality, and perceptions of inequitable access to water is an important constraint to developing CBM strategies. Taken together, these results suggest that enhancing SOC and relationships between local and regional levels of governance prior to establishing community-based projects would facilitate more success in implementing IWRM.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Som Nath Poudel

This paper explores the lives of Tinau River and its inter-dependence with the basin communities and ecosystems in a holistic perspective. It seeks to share the influences of changing natural and anthropogenic processes on the river-catchment and how the resultant changes in river-basin influence the livelihoods and ecosystems. Taking an integrated approach of river-basin management, it aims to enhance basin-literacy by linking the ongoing processes in river-catchment, land use pattern and human activities. Without environmentally-sound and sustainable integrated river basin management, it will not be possible to achieve self-sufficiency in food and energy. Tinau River management and conservation must aim to have a healthy river. Each type of water/resource use in the basin is managed in a fragmented manner by a separate department or agency. For healthy watershed development water resources of the river should be managed in a comprehensive manner. Policies, framework, methodology, legislation and institutions are to be developed and established for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) of the river.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v10i0.7099 Hydro Nepal Vol.10 January 2012 24-31


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 726-731
Author(s):  
T. P. Mashazi ◽  
M. S. Morole ◽  
L. S. Modley

Abstract Public participation in water resource management is crucial for community development and resource sustainability. Many studies on water resource management have been done on urban river systems, focusing on water quality, and concentrating mainly on the physical, chemical and biological parameters, while neglecting the social impacts. An example of this is seen in the Kaalspruit, a highly polluted river in the township of Tembisa. After the confluence with the Olifantspruit River, the Kaalspruit runs through the residential and highly industrialised areas of Clayville, Tembisa and Ivory Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. The aim of the study is to evaluate public perception, participation and attitudes towards water resource management in the Kaalspruit River, and to aid with a related community management plan. This was achieved by purposive and random sampling of relevant stakeholders and the public. Community knowledge was used to increase water quality awareness. The study revealed that those surveyed are discontented with the river's current state but are interested in rehabilitating it. Their participation highlighted the need for a community-based management plan for the river.


Water Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-222
Author(s):  
Lae-Soo Kang ◽  
Se-Yeong Hamm ◽  
Jae-Yeol Cheong ◽  
Hang-Tak Jeon ◽  
Jae Hyun Park

Abstract The demand for water resources is consistently increasing due to industrialization and urbanization. Water resource management can become difficult because of climate change and social issues. Due to the difficulty in securing stable water resources, reasonable utilization and management of water is crucial for the sustainable development of groundwater resources that are an efficient alternative to surface water. For groundwater management, the National Groundwater Information Management Service (GIMS) Center for K-Water measures groundwater data hourly (groundwater level, water temperature, and electrical conductivity) at national groundwater monitoring stations and analyzes the long-term variation of groundwater with regard to climate change. According to the Groundwater Act (1993), auxiliary groundwater monitoring stations for groundwater use and water quality are activated by local governments. The observed data after the calibration process are provided for utilization by citizens, industries, schools, institutes, and government policies through annual reports on groundwater monitoring by the GIMS Center. In 2018, the Korean government merged water resources affairs that were once divided between the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. The change will be favorable for effective management of the surface water and groundwater resources as well as ensuring both quality and quantity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Augustine Edobor Arimoro ◽  
Habibah Musa

Access to water is crucial for healthy living and survival. In developing countries such as Nigeria, rural communities often suffer from a severe shortage of the supply of fresh, potable water. The need to change the tide has led to the inclusion of the adequate availability of water for allas one of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Evidence shows that the lack or poor supply of freshwater could lead to a prevalence of waterborne diseases and might negatively affect economically important activities. While water sustainability deals with ensuring adequate supply of water for the present and future generations, water resource management is the strategy for achieving water sustainability. Considering the above, this article examines the literature on water resource management vis-à-vis the legal framework for water management in Nigeria. The article notes that rural communities in the country have a critical role to play in water resource management in the country and in the quest to attain the goals for water. It is recommended that policies should be implemented to provide for sustainable management of water as well as a strategy for educating rural communities on what they must do to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for water management in Nigeria at the rural community level. For example, there is a need to provide for private sector led water development projects in rural areas backed by government subsidy as well as programmes to enlighten community leaders on their role in ensuring water sustainability. Keywords: Water, access to water, legal framework for water management, rural area, SDGs, Nigeria.


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