Water Resources Management & Conflict

This assignment delves into the complex issue of water resource management, emphasizing the potential for conflict arising from competition over scarce resources. It discusses the importance of coordinated strategies, especially in transboundary river basins, to ensure equitable access and sustainable use of water. The document also highlights the economic benefits of investing in improved water and sanitation infrastructure, particularly for developing countries. Finally, it offers recommendations for promoting awareness, learning from developed nations' experiences, and fostering international cooperation to address global water challenges.

Running head: WATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Water Management Problem in Developing Countries
Name of Student:
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1WATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Abstract:
Water is at the crux of sustainable development and it extremely essential for the socio-
economic development, the ecosystems which are healthy as well as for ultimate human survival.
The aim of this report is to discuss the water management issues and that are usually faced by the
developing countries like India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and many more. It also shows the
statistical findings related to the problems of water management which are faced by people and
which makes their lives extremely problematic. The discussion section states the ways in which
the challenges can be understood for further development and proper management of water in a
proper way. The major problems and the probable reasons for these issues are mentioned. Finally
the conclusion section gives an overall synopsis of the report with the desirable
recommendations in the final recommendations section.

2WATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
Findings:..........................................................................................................................................3
Problems:.....................................................................................................................................3
Solutions:.....................................................................................................................................3
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................4
Recommendations:..........................................................................................................................5
References:......................................................................................................................................7

3WATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Introduction:
Freshwater is an extremely precious but finite resource which is imperative for sustaining
life. It is because water is crucial in every aspect of life. It is to be understood that adequate
water supply should be present for people of present as well as future generations. In addition to
this the quality and quantity of water flow need to be maintained for the ecosystem functions. In
several developing countries the availability of water is subject to large seasonal or inter-annual
fluctuations. Water is essential for food production, economic growth, environmental support
and the sustainability of life. Water is utilized for domestic uses as well as industrial for the
purpose of day-to-day activities. The purpose statement which this report aims to address is
about the water management problem in the developing countries of the World as the depletion
of water reserves is a major issue and for sustaining life on earth, water is utmost important.
Findings:
Problems:
The value of water and water management has been major issues and several debates
have been carried out regarding this issue. There are 261 river basins which cross the political
boundaries of two or more countries. Around 45.3% of the land surface accounts for around 80%
of the global river run off and it also affects around 40% of the total population on earth. Severe
mismanagement of water is a serious issue in countries like India specifically (Worthington,
2013). The two major problems are floods and salty groundwater (Dinar & Zilberman, 2012).

4WATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Solutions:
The solution for management of floods is large scale irrigation projects to help
management and protect from environmental hazards. Plantations can also improve the impact of
water flow on soil erosion. The possible solutions are the use of gypsum, the use of molasses and
cane sugar extracts and also the cultivation of salt resistant varieties.
Discussion:
The main challenges for the achievement of water security are meeting basic needs,
securing the food supply, protection of the ecosystems, sharing the water resources, management
of the risks, valuing of the water as well as governing the water wisely. Meeting of the basic
needs includes a preparatory process of water management, understanding the fact that water and
sanitation are most basic of the human needs and they are essential for health as well as well
being and also for the empowerment of people (Marlow et al., 2013). The proper and equitable
allocation of water is necessary for food production, specifically of the poor and the vulnerable.
The water supply should also be maintained for the integrity of the ecosystems by the sustainable
management of water resources (Loehr, 2012).
Risk management needs to be properly done in order to provide security from floods,
droughts, pollution and other water related hazards. The water needs to be managed in a way
which reflects the cost of their provision and hence the need for equity should also be taken into
account. In order to ensure the proper governance the involvement of the public and the interests
of all the stakeholders need to be kept in mind (Boyd & Tucker, 2012).

5WATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Conclusion:
The competition over shared resources, especially water cannot be a root cause of social,
economic as well as political tension. This needs to be kept in mind in cases where water is
scarce, wherever the place is or not. Surface water resources are derived from rivers, even within
countries and the activities are designed to develop and also develop a coordinated strategy.
It can be safely said that the greatest economic benefits of the improved supply of water,
sanitation as well as water resources management will be experienced in those countries where
there are the greatest water challenges. Thus investing in improved water and sanitation, drinking
and major other uses is beneficial for the developing countries and specifically its poor people.
Investments in public health and management of water leads to better adaptive capabilities to
climate variability and also improved services of ecosystem. There are economic highlights of
investing in water as well. Increased productivity and production within the economic sectors
might be one of the reasons which might influence the people to invest in water.
Recommendations:
The people need to be made aware of the existing scenario of the availability of water
specifically as well as other natural resources. It will also encourage the people to rediscover the
specific elements of the ecosystem that contribute to the environment and sustainability nad
hence protect and conserve them. Institutions or processes to learn from experiences of the
developed countries need to be employed so that the same mistakes are not repeated (Faria &
Bagajewicz, 2012).
The developed countries need to fulfil the commitments made at UNCED in Rio
regarding the funding of environmental protection projects in the developing countries. The

6WATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
governments should closely link their national policies with regional and international policies in
order to achieve maximum progress in areas of water pollution prevention linked strategy and
also other areas like water, natural resource recovery, biodiversity protection and so on. All
countries need to maintain their commitments regarding the proposals for follow up activities on
water conservation along with other environmental components (Schultz & Engman, 2012).

7WATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
References:
Boyd, C. E., & Tucker, C. S. (2012). Pond aquaculture water quality management. Springer
Science & Business Media.
Chapter 7. Conclusions and recommendations. (2017). Fao.org. Retrieved 5 October 2017, from
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4502e/y450
Dinar, A., & Zilberman, D. (Eds.). (2012). The economics and management of water and
drainage in agriculture. Springer Science & Business Media.
Faria, D. C., & Bagajewicz, M. J. (2012). A new approach for global optimization of a class of
MINLP problems with applications to water management and pooling problems. AIChE
Journal, 58(8), 2320-2335.
Loehr, R. (2012). Agricultural waste management: problems, processes, and approaches.
Elsevier.
Marlow, D. R., Moglia, M., Cook, S., & Beale, D. J. (2013). Towards sustainable urban water
management: A critical reassessment. Water research, 47(20), 7150-7161.
Schultz, G. A., & Engman, E. T. (Eds.). (2012). Remote sensing in hydrology and water
management. Springer Science & Business Media.
Worthington, E. B. (Ed.). (2013). Arid land irrigation in developing countries: environmental
problems and effects. Elsevier.