Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Water is the core of all developing activities. Given the introduction of the "sustainable development" concept, water is being perceived as the centrality of all economic and social activities. Limited fresh water resources, the increasing rate of population growth and the hypothetical present and future impacts of climate change have led the concerned national authorities to rethink their previous conventional approaches to water resources. In this regard, new guidelines have been introduced within the Integrated Water Resources Management framework. These principles persuade the water sector planners and decision makers to be involved in an alternative ongoing management process along with considering the different involved components from natural and human systems interacting with each other.

On the other hand, water has a naturally erratic behaviour. It may cross the political borders; so two or more countries would share one common water resource. In these situations countries struggle to take advantage of the available water as much as they can, even by ignoring the rights of other stakeholders outside of the borders. New concerns such as "national security" arise and conflicts may happen between the riparian countries. However, sharing one common resource can be an opportunity to bring the riparian countries to the negotiation tables and make them involve in cooperative processes. Hydropolitic, studies the conflicts and cooperation processes between the riparian countries in one international basin.

Through this research the case of Hirmand/Helmand River Basin that includes parts of Iran and Afghanistan is studied. Initially, attempts are made to provide information from several secondary sources about the general features of the basin. Then complementary actions such as field visit and interviews are carried out and the process of social learning is triggered in order to be able to better understanding of the given data and draw new facts from what people reflect on the current complex situation. After analysing the problematic situation, recommendations are made in the final part particularly in association with the IWRM principles and the exiting opportunities to promote cooperation between two countries and achieve an improved situation.