scholarly journals Water Security and Social Inclusion: Local Governance within the Newly Established Rural Municipalities in Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-127
Author(s):  
Pamela White ◽  
Juho Haapala
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Oecd Principles ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Rural Municipalities ◽  
Local Water

In the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, water demand is increasing while many water sources are depleting. Local levels of government may play a role in tackling local water problems in a fair manner, or in failing to adapt to changing conditions. Nepal has recently undergone rapid changes in its institutional governance setting. Rural Municipalities (RMs) were established in mid-2017 as new, democratic, local tiers of governance. Their responsibilities include ensuring equitable access to water for all citizens, in line with the new Constitution. RMs must tackle decreasing water availability, increasing demands for domestic, agricultural and commercial uses, impacts of climate change, and the challenges of ensuring inclusive and participatory decision-making. At the same time, they are newly appointed finding their position and responsibilities after years of management by line ministries in Kathmandu. The study analyzes the current status of rural municipalities in remote areas of Sudurpashchim and Karnali Provinces in terms of their institutional capacity to implement inclusive water governance and water security in collaboration with a large donor project. It uses the OECD Principles on Water Governance (OECD 2011, 2015) as a framework. This research asks what the current water governance issues are in this setting of collaboration. The opportunities identified include the potential for more accountable policy formulation at a closer level to the community, by leaders who are more representative and accountable to their citizens and are aware of specific local water issues. On the other hand, there is a risk that policy formulation and accountability of governance could go astray. We conclude that this is a key moment to support the fledgling rural municipalities and demonstrate ways to build their capacities to secure safe water for all.

scholarly journals What Drives the Performance of Collaboration Networks: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Local Water Governance in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Can Cui ◽  
Hongtao Yi
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Collaboration Network ◽  
Collaboration Networks ◽  
Governance Networks ◽  
Local Water

Local water governance is challenging given the significance to public health and the difficulties to manage it in a fragmented administrative system. A collaboration network is a popular governance tool in local governance to cope with functional fragmentation problems and institutional collective action (ICA) dilemmas. Empirical works are needed to examine the outcomes of such governance networks, especially in the context of environmental governance. With fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this article seeks to evaluate the outcomes of collaboration networks by investigating the influence of network structures on local water governance performance in China. Based on empirical analyses on a dataset of twenty local water governance networks implementing the Water Ecological Civilization Pilot Project in China, the findings suggest that a high overall bridging and bonding of social capital and a low network density are important determinants of effective collaboration networks. This study has policy implications for the design of local collaboration networks in facilitating effective environmental governance.

scholarly journals Analysing Irrigation Farmers’ Preferences for Local Governance Using a Discrete Choice Experiment in India and Pakistan

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Burton ◽  
Bethany Cooper ◽  
Lin Crase
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Choice Experiment ◽  
Discrete Choice ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Water Charges ◽  
Local Water ◽  
Direct Feedback ◽  
Payment Mechanisms

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the preferences of irrigation farmers for different payment apparatus for irrigation fees. We also report the results of a study that queried farmers’ preferred model for water governance at a local level. The results and analysis thus make an important contribution to the debate about how participatory irrigation might operate more effectively, especially in India and Pakistan. The rationale for this study is that aligning the payment mechanisms and local water governance more closely with farmer preferences is likely to reduce the barriers to accepting participatory irrigation and the requirement to pay water charges. To the knowledge of the authors, no other study has specifically addressed this issue by seeking direct feedback from farmers.

Water Governance and Management in Indus Basin - Challenges & Threats

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marium Sara Minhas Bandeali
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
The State ◽  
Indus Basin

Water governance and management are important challenges for the River Indus Basin in Pakistan. Water governance refers to social, political and economic factors that influence water management. The water scarcity and water security are a major concern for the state to control its water resources. The study aims to give Sindh water policy by exploring the challenges to Indus Basin in managing water resources and to identify opportunities Indus Basin can look to improve water management. Interviews were conducted from water experts and analysts having 5 years’ experience or more in the water sector of Pakistan through a semi-structured self-developed questionnaire using purposive sampling technique and transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings show that increasing population, climatic change and rising demand of water are major challenges Indus is facing and Indus with time is getting water-scarce therefore need strong institutions, civil society and legislatures to ensure equitable distribution of water and maintain the ecosystem. The study emphasizes that water governance and management are necessary for sustainable use of water. Pakistan, the water stress country needs to address ‘governance’ at a wider scale to solve problems in the Indus Basin for the livelihood of people. The research will benefit the state, water experts, institutions as well as civil society to promote efficient use of water in Indus Basin.

scholarly journals The added value of using the HEPA PAT for physical activity policy monitoring: a four-country comparison

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Gelius ◽  
◽  
Sven Messing ◽  
Sarah Forberger ◽  
Jeroen Lakerveld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Physical Activity Monitoring ◽  
Physical Activity Policy ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Monitoring Framework ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Background Public policy is increasingly recognized as an important component of physical activity promotion. This paper reports on the current status of physical activity policy development and implementation in four European countries based on the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Audit Tool (HEPA PAT) developed by WHO. It compares the findings to previous studies and discusses the general utility of this tool and its unique features in relation to other instruments. Methods The study was conducted as part of the Policy Evaluation Network (www.jpi-pen.eu) in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland. Data collection built upon information obtained via the EU Physical Activity Monitoring Framework survey, additional desk research and expert opinion. Data analysis employed Howlett’s policy cycle framework to map and compare national physical activity policies in the four countries. Results In all countries under study, policy agenda-setting is influenced by prevalence data from national health monitoring systems, and the sport and/or health sector takes the lead in policy formulation. Key policy documents were located mainly in the health sector but also in sport, urban design and transport. Physical activity programmes implemented to meet policy objectives usually cover a broad range of target groups, but currently only a small selection of major policies are evaluated for effectiveness. National experts made several suggestions to other countries wishing to establish physical activity policies, e.g. regarding cross-sectoral support and coordination, comprehensive national action plans, and monitoring/surveillance. Conclusions This study provides a detailed overview of physical activity policies in the four countries. Results show that national governments are already very active in the field but that there is room for improvement in a number of areas, e.g. regarding the contribution of sectors beyond sport and health. Using the HEPA PAT simultaneously in four countries also showed that procedures and timelines have to be adapted to national contexts. Overall, the instrument can make an important contribution to understanding and informing physical activity policy, especially when used as an add-on to regular monitoring tools like the EU HEPA Monitoring Framework.

Water and sanitation in Africa: current status, trends, challenges and opportunities

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kararach ◽  
Tito Yepes
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Water Security ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Institution Building ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Hydrological Variability ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Africa faces difficult water/sanitation legacies in the form of high hydrological variability and a multiplicity of transboundary river basins alongside poor sanitation. These challenges impeded the continent’s economic growth. Balanced investments in water resource and sanitation infrastructure and institutions are needed to increase productive uses of water, to mitigate the effect of recurrent floods and droughts, and to achieve basic water security as a platform for Africa’s economic growth. Priority should be given to investments that (a) focus on growth, (b) reduce rural poverty, (c) build climate resilience and adaptation, and (d) foster cooperation in international river basins. Because most African countries have low stocks of hydraulic infrastructure, emphasizing investments in infrastructure is appropriate for them. However, institution building and reform, improvements in water/sanitation management and operations, and strengthening of water information systems must complement growth in infrastructure. Development of institutions should be advanced in parallel with infrastructure investment.

scholarly journals Critical elements for local Indigenous water security in Canada: a narrative review

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 893-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Latchmore ◽  
C. J. Schuster-Wallace ◽  
Dan Roronhiakewen Longboat ◽  
Sarah E. Dickson-Anderson ◽  
Anna Majury
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
The Past ◽  
Indigenous Worldviews ◽  
Poor Water Quality ◽  
Local Water ◽  
And Gender

AbstractIndigenous communities in Canada are over-represented with respect to poor water quality and water advisories. To date, approaches to solve this water crisis have been founded in the Western Science (WS) context with little to no consultation or dialogue with those communities most impacted, and without regard for culture. A literature review was undertaken to: (i) document Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and perspectives regarding water and (ii) to identify current local water security tools utilized by Indigenous communities. The aim is to provide sound evidence regarding the value of ownership and leadership by Indigenous communities in the context of current and appropriate resources available to (re)claim these roles. Solutions must remain consistent with, and founded upon, traditional Indigenous worldviews and cultural values to ensure sustainable water security. Literature reviewed from the past ten years revealed one overarching creation theme with three water-specific themes in Indigenous communities; namely, water from natural sources, water as a life-giving entity, and water and gender. Ultimately, there needs to be a new framing of local water security with the development of tools which engage IK and WS in order to assess local water security and appropriately inform interventions, policies, regulations and legislation.

scholarly journals Stagnant Rivers: Transboundary Water Security in South and Southeast Asia

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Williams
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
National Security ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Transboundary Rivers ◽  
Transboundary Water ◽  
South And Southeast Asia ◽  
Alternative Perspective ◽  
International Stability ◽  
Asian Context

Transboundary rivers are increasingly difficult to govern and often involve issues of national security, territoriality, and competition. In developing countries, the management and governance of these rivers is dominated by a particular decision making group, often comprised of politicians, bureaucrats, and engineers. These groups perpetrate a technocratic paradigm towards the management of transboundary water, with limited genuine international cooperation. The transboundary water situation in South and Southeast Asia is becoming increasingly fraught as the geopolitical context is changing due to China’s increased involvement in regional issues and climate change. With over 780 million people dependent on these rivers, their governance is vital to regional and international stability. Yet, the technocratic management of transboundary rivers persists and is likely to become increasingly unsustainable and inequitable. A discourse-based approach is applied to consider transboundary water governance in the shifting South and Southeast Asian context. The result is an alternative perspective of why governance approaches on transboundary rivers have resisted meaningful reform.

scholarly journals Explaining and Measuring Social-Ecological Pathways: The Case of Global Changes and Water Security

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Bolognesi ◽  
Andrea K. Gerlak ◽  
Gregory Giuliani
Keyword(s):  
Water Governance ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Data Cube ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Social Ecological

The Social-Ecological Systems (SES) framework serves as a valuable framework to explore and understand social and ecological interactions, and pathways in water governance. Yet, it lacks a robust understanding of change. We argue an analytical and methodological approach to engaging global changes in SES is critical to strengthening the scope and relevance of the SES framework. Relying on SES and resilience thinking, we propose an institutional and cognitive model of change that institutions and natural resources systems co-evolve to provide a dynamic understanding of SES that stands on three causal mechanisms: institutional complexity trap, rigidity trap, and learning processes. We illustrate how Data Cube technology could overcome current limitations and offer reliable avenues to test hypothesis about the dynamics of social-ecological systems and water security by offering to combine spatial and time data with no major technical requirements for users.

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