Progress in Integrated Water Resources Managementimplementation

Abstract

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRW) has made significant strides since its definition following the Rio Conference on Sustainable Development. Part of Sustainable Development Goal 6, the implementation of IWRM is foreseen globally by 2030. Initially, planning water resources in an integrated manner was the focus of most projects/programmes; hence, nowadays most of the efforts are targeted towards its implementation with practical implications for the nations and their populations.

Successful achievements on this agenda are shared as well as challenges and possible way forward. Experiences from India, DRC and Zambia will be particularly presented and discussed. In Rajasthan (India), the devolution of IWRM was attempted at large scale from the State government to the communities. Approximatively 3,200 groups of villages (Gram Panchayat) were targeted and their integrated local plans prepared. The Congo Basin International Commission (CICOS) developed several tools for better managing this key transboundary basin of the Congo river. Spatial altimetry was largely developed throughout the basin and provides
several operational applications such as for navigation services and hydropower potential characterization. In Zambia, the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) has established four catchment offices in four of its six catchments to better manage, develop, conserve and protect water resources.

The article concludes on the progress made by transboundary organizations and countries of two continents (Africa and Asia) towards operationalization and implementation of IWRM. It analyses the achievements, benefits and lessons learnt and concludes on the way forward to attain SDG6 by 2030.