Integrated Water Resource Managment

Sediment Transport and Process of Sedimentation

2013-04-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

Sediment transport is the phenomenon of movement of solid particles primarily due to movement of the fluid in which the sediment is entrained and force of gravity acting on the sediment. The fluid can be air, water, ice or volcanic fluid. Understanding of the engineering and ecological aspects from sources to final settlement of the phenomenon is becoming more and more important for many reasons, some of them includes

Analyzing the after effects of dam flushing and ecological response to this in downstream dams and connected sea.
Devising dam’s optimal operational routine to minimize sediment accumulation in the reservoir, which reduces the storage capacity
Creation of more realistic and useful models to understand what would happens under a certain set of conditions or changes at a specific place
Finding environmental reasons of increased dust storms and desertification in some areas of world

Sediment transport due to water motion occurs in rivers, the oceans, lakes, seas, and other water bodies. Process of settling down of carried sediments normally due to low velocity of water is called sedimentation. The magnitude of problem can be assessed by the fact that total storage capacity of all dams on earth today is about 6000 Km3 (according to WWF)and Prof. K. Mehmood estimated in 1986 that average loss of storage annually due to sedimentation is about 50 Km3. This makes about slightly less than 1 % annual storage loss. During my master thesis, which was about modeling sediment transport on Tenryu River, upstream of Sakuma Dam, I spent some time on thinking about solution of sedimentation. As if we can be able to resolve it, we will not only get upfront saving when we spend millions on sediment removal every year, but will also have reliable long-term storage capacity.
There are various techniques developed to compensate the problem somehow including dam flushing, dredging, controlling sediment inflow from source etc. I personally think that there is no match of ' control from source' but at the same time it requires highly skillful planning and coordination between many stakeholder making it more challenging. Some other quick solutions of sedimentation problems came in my mind but since for now these are only pop-thoughts, scientific evidences needs to establish before digging further.

1. Exploiting chemical properties of sediments...

That is, at least theoretically, to make such an environment in which
Incoming sediments would change their chemical composition and dissolve into water which would prevent there settling
Incoming sediments breakdown and become so thin that all or most of incoming sediments become wash load and pass through dam without settling.

2. Artificial ecological system...

At least theoretically, a system can be produced in which there could some living organism, which would eat, and digest incoming sediments and their raw material produced is unsettle-able. I have read somewhere that there are planktonic animals eating floating debris in Lake Baikal, which help it to maintain its clarity. So these planktonic can be genetically researched to absorb or eat more debris or and sediments to make deposited sediments to a low level.

3. Use of Nano Technology .....

This would in principle works similar to Ecological system. That is, desirable amount of self-sustained nano robots can be spread in problematic water bodies where these nano robots would break down sediments either chemically or physically so that these become almost permanently suspended/well mixed.

As I already mentioned these are merely pop-thoughts and so far non scientific. However I am sharing them just to have a second opinion about them. Or may be you just have a comment about what you think or know if somebody somewhere is working on similar things.

Purpose of Sediment Transport Studies

2013-02-21T18:21:00.001-08:00

Even with progression of science and technology, sediment transport remains a phenomenon that is not fully comprehended. Numerical modeling is a common method to analyze sediment transport and subsequent bathymetric changes. This helps in gaining an insight into the prospective behavior of sediment transport, which provides a background for policy making. Among several of benefits of such studies may include estimation of possible expenditure in coming years, to take out deposited sediments and estimation of the dam life to serve its planned purposes.

Englebright Dam and reservoir, looking north. (Courtesy of USGS)

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) – Basic Concept

2011-01-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

The basic idea behind the concept of IWRM is that fresh water is a scarce entity and all different uses of fresh water are all different uses of it are all competing and interdependent. And while this evident to all of us, so far not proper attention has been paid to it. Some of examples of its mutual-dependent uses are

· High demand for irrigation purposes of fresh water mean that there will less water left for Industrial and Drinking purposes

· If contaminated wastewater from municipalities and industries is allowed to be flow out into main river system unattended and untreated, it will harmful for the fisheries, ecosystem and biodiversity.

· And if the water is protected and retained for fisheries and biodiversity the less can diverted for other purposes like irrigation.

· A dam or other water retaining structure is very useful for collecting and distributing water as and when required for irrigation purposes, controls flooding and can be used for power generation. While on the other hand it increases water logging at upstream, harmful for that particular river system’s unique biodiversity. And if the water is stored in rivers, very less water is the end of river flows are almost dried up resulting saline sea water intrusion into delta land.

So examples are many and they all prove that all different water uses unregulated use of scarce water resources is extremely wasteful and unsustainable. That use may give a temporary or short term benefit for one purpose but may also produce much more danger to somewhere else.

So in IWRM, Integrated means that all different uses of water resources are to be considered together. And water allocations and management decisions should account for an overall sociological and economical goals and also include the sustainable development. And a coherent policy making related to all sectors needs to be existed. One of the way to achieve this integrated policy and decision making is to involve all user groups (e.g. farmer, household users, industrialists etc.) in water resource management from initiation of policy making till the management. And from national level to grass root level. And by this way we will get many additional benefits such as, informed users apply local self regulations related to issues such as water conservation and catchment protection far more effectively than central regulation and surveillance can achieve.

Management is used in a more broader sense, And means that we must only just to focus on day to day management of water resources. But we must consciously manage water development in a ways that ensures long terms sustainable use even for future generations. And that we must left the plant in even better state for our new generations to come so that also get benefited from its resources as we are now.

And as defined by Cap-Net “Integrated Water Resources Management is therefore a systematic process for the sustainable development, allocation and monitoring of water resources use in the context of social economic and environmental objectives.” And it further says implies that “It contrast with sectoral approach that applies in many countries.” Like where responsibility of drinking water rests with one agency, for irrigation with another and for the environment yet another, lack of cross –sectoral linkages leads to uncoordinated water resources development and management. And this is what results in disputed and unsustainable system.

European Union’s Water protection and management (Water Framework Directive)

2011-01-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

The Water Framework Directive (more formally the Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) is a European Union directive which commits European Union member states to achieve good qualitative and quantitative status of all water bodies (including near shores’ marine waters) by 2015. It is a framework in the sense that it prescribes steps to reach the common goal rather than adopting the more traditional limit value approach.

The directive defines 'surface water status' as the general expression of the status of a body of surface water, determined by the poorer of its ecological status and its chemical status. Thus, to achieve 'good surface water status' both the ecological status and the chemical status of a surface water body need to be at least 'good'. Ecological status refers to the quality of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems of the surface waters. Water is an important facet of all life and the water framework directive sets standards which ensure the safe access of this resource.

The Directive requires the production of a number of key documents over six year planning cycles. Most important among these is the River Basin Management Plans, to be published in 2009, 2015 and 2021. Draft River Basin Management Plans are published for consultation at least one year prior.

Good ecological status is defined locally as being lower than a theoretical reference point of pristine conditions, i.e. in the absence of anthropogenic influence. Article 14 of the directive requires member states "to encourage the active involvement of interested parties" in the implementation of the directive. This is generally acknowledged to be an assimilation of the Aarhus Convention

ACT

Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy

Summary

The European Union (EC) has established a framework for the protection of:

inland surface waters *;

groundwater *;

transitional waters *; and

and coastal waters *.

This Framework-Directive has a number of objectives, such as preventing and reducing pollution, promoting sustainable water usage, environmental protection, improving aquatic ecosystems and mitigating the effects of floods and droughts.

Its ultimate objective is to achieve “good ecological and chemical status” for all Community waters by 2015.

Administrative arrangements

Member States have to identify all the river basins * lying within their national territory and to assign them to individual river basin districts *. River basins covering the territory of more than one Member State will be assigned to an international river basin district.

Member States are to designate a competent authority for the application of the rules provided for in this Framework-Directive within each river basin district.

Identification and analysis of waters

· By 2004 at the latest, each Member State shall produce:

· an analysis of the characteristics of each river basin district;

· a review of the impact of human activity on water;

· an economic analysis of water use;

· a register of areas requiring special protection;

· a survey of all bodies of water used for abstracting water for human consumption and producing more than 10 m³ per day or serving more than 50 persons.

This analysis must be revised in 2013 and every six years thereafter.

Management plans and programmes of measures

In 2009, nine years after the Framework-Directive entered into force, management plans were produced for each river basin district, taking account of the results of the analyses and studies carried out. These plans cover the period 2009-2015. They shall be revised in 2015 and then every six years thereafter.

The management plans must be implemented in 2012. They aim to:

prevent deterioration, enhance and restore bodies of surface water, achieve good chemical and ecological status of such water by 2015 at the latest and to reduce pollution from discharges and emissions of hazardous substances;
protect, enhance and restore the status of all bodies of groundwater, prevent the pollution and deterioration of groundwater, and ensure a balance between groundwater abstraction and replenishment;
preserve protected areas.

The management plans for river basin districts can be complemented by more detailed management programmes and plans for a sub-basin, a sector or a particular type of water.

Temporary deterioration of bodies of water is not in breach of the requirements of this Framework-Directive if it is the result of circumstances which are exceptional or could not reasonably have been foreseen and which are due to an accident, natural causes or force majeure.

Member States shall encourage participation by all stakeholders in the implementation of this Framework-Directive, specifically with regard to the management plans for river basin districts. Projects from the management plans must be submitted to public consultation for at least 6 months.

From 2010, Member States must ensure that water pricing policies provide adequate incentives for users to use water resources efficiently and that the various economic sectors contribute to the recovery of the costs of water services, including those relating to the environment and resources.

Member States must introduce arrangements to ensure that effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties are imposed in the event of breaches of the provisions of this Framework Directive.

A list of priority substances selected from among the ones which present a significant risk to the aquatic environment has been drawn up at European level. This list is set out in Annex X to this Framework-Directive.

Reference (below mentioned linkes as retrived on January 09, 2011)

IWRM Roamap's 25 Elements - A way to Improve IWRM Process

2010-11-08T17:50:00.000-08:00

IWRM Roadmap as explained previously is a way to judge the current status of IWRM in a River Basin. Here the same points are listed again with comments as to how to make improvement against respective element.

IWRM Element	Comments for Improvement
1. River basin organization	Build capacity in new or existing River Basin Organization (RBO), mainly focusing on four dimensions of performance (that is stakeholders, internal business process, learning and growth and financing) under the NARBO (Network of Asian River Basin Organization's service.
2. Stakeholder participation	Institutionalize the stakeholder participation in river basin planning and management process including but not limited to active participation of local governments, civil society organizations (like academia, active NGOs parliamentarians, media), and the private sector and an enabling framework for meaningful stakeholder participation in project specific and planning decisions.
3 River basin planning	Prepare or update comprehensive river basin plan or strategy, with participation and ownership of basin stakeholders and application of IWRM principles and in land use planning process
4. Public awareness	Introduce or expand public awareness programs of their active involvement in IWRM process. This can be done in collaboration with civil society organizations and media. Other possible means may also exist depending upon the locations.
5 Water allocation	Reduce water allocation conflicts among uses and geological areas in the basin with participatory approach and negotiated approach, incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices
6. Water rights	Introduce effective water rights or entitlements administration that respect traditional customary water use rights of local communities e.g. Farmer and /or farmer organizations
7 Wastewater permits	Introduce or improve waste water discharge permits and effluent charges with respect to level of pollution they are they are adding in their discharges. And implement the polluter pay principal.
8. IWRM financing	Institutionalize models whereby all levels of government contribute budget to IWRM in the basin
9. Economic instruments	Introduce raw water pricing and/or other economic instruments to share in IWRM costs, stimulate water demand management and conservation, protect the environment and pay for environmental services
10. Regulations	Support the development and implementation of a legal and regulatory framework to implement the principles of IWRM and its financing in the basin, including tariffs, charges, quality standards and delivery mechanisms for water services
11. Infrastructure for multiple benefits	Develop and/or manage water resources infrastructure to provide multiple benefits (such as hydro-power, water supply, irrigation, flood management, salinity intrusion, and ecosystems maintenance)
12. Private sector contribution	Introduce a policy and implementation framework for introducing environmental flows and demonstrate its application.
13. Water education	Introduce IWRM into school programs to increase water knowledge and develop leadership among the youth, including responsibility for water monitoring in local water bodies
14.Watershed management	Invest to protect and rehabilitate upper watersheds in collaboration with local communities and civil society organizations
15. Environmental flows	Introduce a policy and implementation frame-work for introducing environmental flows and demonstrate its application
16.Disaster management	Investments in combined structural and non structural interventions to reduce vulnerability against floods, droughts, chemical spills and other disasters in the basin
17. Flood forecasting	Introduce or strengthen effective flood forecasting and warning systems
18. Flood damage rehabilitation	Investments in the rehabilitation of infrastructure after floods
19.Water quality monitoring	Initiate or strengthen basin‐wide water quality monitoring and application of standards
20.Water quality improvement	Invest in structural and non structural interventions that reduce point and non‐point water pollution
21.Wetland conservation	Invest to conserve and improve wetlands as integral part of the river basin ecosystem
22. Fisheries	Introduce measures to protect and improve fisheries in the river
23.Ground water management	Institutionalize and strengthen sustainable groundwater management as part of IWRM Institutionalize and strengthen sustainable groundwater management as part of IWRM
24.Water conservation	Institutionalize a policy and implementation framework to promote efficiency of water use, conservation, and recycling
25. Decision support information	Improve on‐line publicly available river basin information systems to support IWRM policy, planning, and decision‐ making, including dissemination of “toolboxes” and good practices

Definition of IWRM

2010-11-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

As far as definition of IWRM is concerned, each active entity has defined or more precisely expressed IWRM in its own style, which in a broader sense required the same efforts to implement and yields the same result. So it would be interesting to look at how GWP (Global Water Partnership) EC (European Commission) and USAID defines the IWRM.

1. GWP definition of IWRM as “A process that promotes the co-ordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.”

2. And EC describes it with same meaning but with slightly different wordings “IWRM expresses the idea that water resources should be managed in a holistic way, coordinating and integrating all aspects and functions of water extraction, water control and water-related service delivery so as to bring sustainable and equitable benefit to all those, dependent on the resource (EC, 1998).”

3. And USAID expresses it as “A participatory planning and implementation process, based on sound science, that brings stakeholders together to determine how to meet society’s long-term needs for water and coastal resources while maintaining essential ecological services and economic benefits (USAID).”

A Short Overview of Current Global Water Picture

2010-11-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Resources are insufficient

Currently the water resources at global scale are stressed due to over exploitation. Water demands like for agriculture, industry and domestic use are increasing day by day. One of the main reason for this urbanization and population growth.

Trends in Global Urbanization

Demand loads are exceeding the available supplies

Average renewable water : ca 2000 m3

Per person and year (Engelman, LeRoy, 1993)

Substantial part of which is used by ecosystems

Amount remained for human use: ca 1000 m3

1 000 000 L/person/year = 2740 L/person/day

Out of which:

69% is used for irrigation (- 1890 L/person/day)

23% is used by industry ( (- 630 L/person/day)

Only 8% remains for household use:

(i.e. 220 L/person/day)

Average household consumption in some areas in the world are as follows

USA: 700 L/p/day

Sweden: 200 L/p/day

Senegal: 29 L/p/day

Nomad in Sahara: 5 L/p/day

Severe Environmental/Ecological issues are severe

Due to the incoming pollution and unplanned water activities (e.g. unplanned damming affecting natural river flows too much) at the up streams the biodiversity is depleting slowly in Mekong , Amazon and Indus river basins and other problems like intrusion of sea water in delta ect. are resulting.

Policy and institutional issues are complicated

Harmony in water use policies for different purposes and among different stakeholders needs to be established. The situation became even more difficult to manage in situations when one river is crossing two or more international borders.

Fragmented and Sectoral Present approach

In most of the places in world, for different uses, water is managed by different departments which sometimes have entirely different and even contradicting goals. And no harmony in the policy exists.

Available choices are highly capital demanding

Water related structures are considered one of the costlier and time taking projects and with no immediate or near future results. Therefore a huge effort is required to establish the political will to invest in such projects.

A Short Overview of Current Global Water Picture

2010-11-03T13:05:00.000-07:00

· Resources are insufficient

Trend in Global Population growth

Trends in Global Urbanization

Demand loads are exceeding the available supplies

Average renewable water : ca 2000 m3

Per person and year (Engelman, LeRoy, 1993)

Substantial part of which is used by ecosystems

Amount remained for human use: ca 1000 m3

=1 000 000 L/person/year = 2740 L/person/day

Out of which:

69% is used for irrigation (- 1890 L/person/day)

23% is used by industry ( (- 630 L/person/day)

Only 8% remains for household use:

(i.e. 220 L/person/day)

Average household consumption in some areas in the world are as follows

USA: 700 L/p/day

Sweden: 200 L/p/day

Senegal: 29 L/p/day

Nomad in Sahara: 5 L/p/day

· Severe Environmental/Ecological issues are severe

· Policy and institutional issues are complicated

· Fragmented and Sectoral Present approach

· Available choices are highly capital demanding

IWRM and The Temple of Sustainable Development

2010-10-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

The balance of temple of sustainable development maintained and is based upon the resting upon IWRM (Integrated Water Resource Development). And IWRM is process not a result, which is being stabilized on the fact that demand of water resources for following three key uses is in equilibrium and harmony.

Water for people
Water for food
Water for Nature

And the utilization of water resources for one purpose does not affect others in an unreasonable way.

IWRM has four basic contents

Policy and legal framework
Management Instruments
Institutional framework
Infrastructure

These four basic contents of the IWRM are discussed in detail in a separate article.

IWRM Roamap - 25 Point Generalized Approach

2010-10-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

IWRM Roadmap is a generalised approach, adopted by Asian Development Bank in order to evaluate the Rivers Basin’s Integrated and sustainable exploitations. Following is IWRM Road map in tabular form. Scoring process of ADB IWRM roadmap relies on an expert who knows well about the target basin, for instance senior staff in RBO. The criterion for scoring is narrative description of developmental stages of each IWRM element

And as stated by ADB

“Achieving IWRM in a river basin is a long-term process, and each basin is different.

This generic roadmap illustrates the incremental results of introducing IWRM elements in stages. A score of 30 out of 100 is taken as an indication of good achievement in introducing IWRM in the river basin.”

IWRM Element	Time to Start IWRM *0 points*	IWRM On Its Way *2 points*	IWRM Getting Results *4 points*	Status *Score*
River basin organization	No RBO exists yet	RBO has been formed but mandate is not well-defined; and organizational set-up and operational responsibilities need improvement	RBO operates under a clear mandate and organizational-set-up; and improves its performance through capacity building programs
Stakeholder participation	No stakeholder participation in river basin planning and management process	Limited stakeholder participation in river basin planning and management process	Regular and meaningful stakeholder participation occurs in project specific or river basin planning decisions under an enabling framework
River basin planning	No river basin plan or strategy	No river basin plan or strategy exists yet; but there is river basin profile for basic basin information	A river basin plan or strategy exists as basis for basin investments. The plan gets updated regularly with participation and ownership of basin stakeholders
Public awareness	No public awareness programs for IWRM	Public awareness programs for IWRM has just been introduced; and are minimal in scope	Public awareness programs for IWRM are regularly implemented in collaboration with civil society organizations and the media
Water allocation	No system of water allocation resulting to conflicts in water use	Limited implementation of a system of water allocation	Water allocation among uses and geographical areas is implemented in the basin but there is scope for improvement, including for participatory and negotiated approaches, and for incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices
Water rights	No water rights or entitlement administration and customary rights not respected	Existing water rights or entitlements administration are partly or inefficiently implemented	Water rights or entitlements administration are implemented well, respecting traditional or customary water use rights of local communities and farmers and farmer organizations
Wastewater permits	No system of wastewater discharge permits and effluent charges	System of wastewater discharge permits and effluent charges need improvement	System of wastewater discharge permits and effluent charges are acceptable to stakeholders
IWRM financing	No government budget for IWRM	Limited government budget allocated for IWRM	Government budget for IWRM is institutionalized at some levels of governance
Economic instruments	No raw water pricing and/or other economic instruments exist	A system of raw water pricing and/or other economic instruments is partly or inefficiently enforced	A system of raw water pricing and/or other economic instruments is satisfactorily enforced that provide share in IWRM costs, stimulate water demand management and conservation, protect the environment and pay for environmental services
Regulations	No legal and regulatory framework to implement the principles of IWRM and its financing	Legal and regulatory framework to implement the principles of IWRM and its financing is not satisfactorily enforced	Legal and regulatory framework to implement the principles of IWRM and its financing is satisfactorily enforced and complied through sound implementing rules and regulations
Infrastructure for multiple benefits	No water resources infrastructure providing multiple benefits (such as hydropower, water supply, irrigation, flood management, salinity intrusion, and ecosystems maintenance)	A few water resources infrastructures providing benefits; but not efficiently managed	Several water resources infrastructures exist; and with scope to improve management
Private sector contribution	No private sector participation in IWRM	Private sector participation in IWRM is partly introduced	Several cases of private sector participation in IWRM
Water education	IWRM not yet introduced in school programs	IWRM is occasionally introduced in school programs	IWRM is regularly introduced in school programs; and with potential to be an integral part of school curricula
Watershed management	No investment to protect and rehabilitate upper watersheds	Minimal investment to protect and rehabilitate upper watersheds; with little collaboration with local communities and civil society organizations	Enough investments to protect and rehabilitate upper watersheds in close collaboration with local communities and civil society organizations
Environmental flows	No policy and implementation framework for introducing environmental flows	A policy and implementation framework for introducing environmental flows exists but is weakly enforced	A policy and implementation framework for introducing environmental flows and to demonstrate its application is adequately enforced but with scope for improvement
Disaster management	No investments in combined structural and nonstructural interventions	Separate and minimal investments for either structural or nonstructural interventions	Substantial investments in combined structural and nonstructural interventions to reduce vulnerability against floods, droughts, chemical spills and other disasters
Flood forecasting	No flood forecasting and warning systems	Flood forecasting and warning systems exist but need improvement	Flood forecasting and warning systems are adequate and efficient
Flood damage rehabilitation	No investments in the rehabilitation of infrastructure after floods	Government provides limited budget allocation for the rehabilitation of infrastructure after floods	Government provides enough investments for the rehabilitation of infrastructure after floods
Water quality monitoring	No basin-wide water quality monitoring and application of standards	Partial water quality monitoring and weak application of standards	Basin-wide water quality monitoring; and adequate application of standards
Water quality improvement	No structural and nonstructural interventions that reduce point and non-point water pollution	A few structural or nonstructural interventions that reduce point and non-point water pollution	Several structural and nonstructural interventions that reduce point and non-point water pollution
Wetland conservation	No investment to conserve and improve wetlands	Minimal investment to conserve and improve wetlands as integral part of the river basin ecosystems	Substantial investments to conserve and improve wetlands as integral part of the river basin ecosystems
Fisheries	No measures to protect and improve fisheries	Limited measures to protect and improve fisheries	Adequate measures to protect and improve fisheries
Groundwater management	No groundwater management	Groundwater management is either just starting or is weakly enforced	Sustainable groundwater management is institutionalized as part of IWRM
Water conservation	No policy and implementation framework for water use, conservation, and recycling	A policy and implementation framework to promote efficiency of water use, conservation, and recycling is weakly enforced	A policy and implementation framework to promote efficiency of water use, conservation, and recycling is adequately enforced but with scope for improvement
Decision support information	No river basin information systems to support IWRM	River basin information systems to support IWRM are not upgraded, not working efficiently, and not publicly available	River basin information systems are up to standards but there is wide scope for improvement
Total Score

IWRM and Dublin Statment

2010-10-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

Dublin Statement is also known as Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development is famous for its four concluding principals called Dublin Principals. The conference was organized by ICWE (International Conference on Water and Environment ), and was held in Dublin, Ireland in 1992. The conference was a form of last preparatory meeting

before the coming "Earth Summit" by UNCED (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development).

Dublin Principals

Dublin conference ended with following four guiding principals

Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource essential to sustain life, development and environment.
Water development and management should be based upon participatory approach, involving end users, planners,and policy makers at all levels
Women play a central part in the provision, management, and safe guarding water.
Water has economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognized as economic good.

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International Collaborations on Mekong River

2010-10-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Mekong River Basin has always been used for fishing, irrigation and navigation by the riparian people. The first structured exploration of the river basin began with a French Mekong expedition at the end of the 19^th century (Wikipedia, 2010). Until the 1950s the Mekong River was described as the "only large river left in the world, besides the Amazon, which remained virtually unexploited."(Nakayama, 2002: pp. 274–275. in Wikipedia, 2010) The decolonization of Indochina by the Geneva Accords in the middle of the 20^th century enabled a common water management of the Mekong River Basin by the four riparian countries Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Thailand.

The history of International
collaboration on Mekong is very old, and hs seen several ups and downs. The Key turns of this collaboration are as follows

1947 United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) started its work to work and boost development activities in Southeast Asia.
1952 ECAFE study observed Mekong's huge potential for hydroelectric and irrigation development.
1956 US Bureau of Reclamation report on planning and development in the lower basin urges joint management in developing the river and four lower riparian countries i.e. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam endorsed
1957 ECAFE report acquiesces with earlier findings. And the presentation of the report in a meeting geared and developed the interest of Mekong Lower Basin countries and they themselves call for further study.
1957 Riparian negotiate a draft charter for the "Committee for Coordination of Investigations of the Lower Mekong." Statute signed on 17 September 1957, bringing Mekong Committee into legal existence (Wolf, 2008).
Late 1957 Wheeler Mission emphasized the collection and maintenance of hydrological and survey data before going in to any implementation phase. Hence this approach was adopted as Committee's initial five-year plan.
1961 White Mission urges social aspects of development to be investigated commensurate with technical aspects. Many of Mission's recommendations for training programs are adopted (Wolf, 2008).
1965 Laos and Thailand sign agreement on power generation project on Nam Ngum River, a Mekong tributary within Laos, by which Thailand agrees to buy surplus power (Wolf, 2008).
1970 Indicative Basin Plan describes proposed large-scale development of Mekong basin.
1975 Joint Declaration on Principles signed, including the first precise definition of "reasonable and equitable use," as described in Helsinki Rules, ever used in international agreement (Wolf, 2008).
1978 Mekong Committee becomes a three-member "Interim Mekong Committee," with the lack of a representative government in Cambodia (Wolf, 2008).
1991 Cambodia requested to rejoins as full participant, but Committee remains legally "interim."
1991 Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cooperation Program begins for cooperation in development of the region.
1992 Thailand asks UNDP to remove Executive Agent; UNDP complies.
1995 Mekong Committee re-ratified as Mekong River Commission. Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin signed by Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam for sustainable development, utilization, conservation and management of the Basin while attempting to bring the two upstream countries, Myanmar and China into the cooperation (Wolf, 2008).
1996 China and Myanmar joined Mekong River Commission as dialog partner
On 1 April 2002 The People's Republic of China signed an agreement on the provision of hydrological information on the Lancang/Mekong River (Mekong River Commission, 2009).