Ahmad Rashidi nejad; Morad Kaviani Rad; Afshin mottaghi
Abstract
The legal regime of common water resources remains the main concern of countries in the international river basin. In this regard, it seems difficult and unresolved just as before to determine the legal regime of these rivers, due to the different viewpoints of the coastal countries located in the basin ...
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The legal regime of common water resources remains the main concern of countries in the international river basin. In this regard, it seems difficult and unresolved just as before to determine the legal regime of these rivers, due to the different viewpoints of the coastal countries located in the basin of these rivers, on the extent and how to exploit these resources. In general, the approach of governments in the exploitation of these resources stems from two perspectives: a perspective accepts the problem of water scarcity and, with proper management, considers water as an important factor in regional cooperation. In contrast, the other one, given the certainty of conflict over natural resources, regards the conflict and crisis over common water resources as inevitable. Accordingly, the present article examines the governing principles of water resources exploitation of international rivers, assuming that the geographical location (upstream-downstream relations) and hydro-hegemonic position of coastal countries is effective in adopting the governing principles of international rivers. It has also dealt with the conformity ratio of these principles with the approaches and hydro-political attitudes of the countries in the basin of these rivers. The data and information required for the article have been collected through library method (books, publications and Internet). It seems that the adoption or development of governing principles of international rivers exploitation can be derived from the upstream-downstream position and the hydro-hegemonic status of the countries located at the basin of a river. While confirming the hypothesis and the effectiveness of hydropolitical approaches, the article has come to the conclusion that the principles with cooperation-oriented approaches of downstream countries or with low geopolitical weight and the principles with conflict-oriented approaches of upstream countries or with high geopolitical weight have received more attention and acceptance.
Seyyed Hadi Zarghani; Maliheh Akhbari; Neda Chareie; Najmeh Mahmoudi
Abstract
Abstract Countries that are inferior to their neighbors in terms of water supply(upstream) are often passive. In particular, if they are unable to obtain the favorable agreement their neighbors (in a shared basin), they will face challenges and conflicts with them. The opposite is also true; sometimes, ...
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Abstract Countries that are inferior to their neighbors in terms of water supply(upstream) are often passive. In particular, if they are unable to obtain the favorable agreement their neighbors (in a shared basin), they will face challenges and conflicts with them. The opposite is also true; sometimes, upstream countries use this situation as a political tool to put pressure on the opponent and gain more points. This research, using a descriptive-analytical method and citing reliable sources, seeks to study and analyze Turkmenistan's hydropolitical bottlenecks in relation to its neighbors. The paper assumes that Turkmenistan's geographical location and hydropolitical situation in terms of water supply is such that the country will face major challenges with its neighbors. Findings show that Turkmenistan is in a downstream position towards most of its neighbors. This issue potentially (Iran) and actually (Afghanistan and the four Central Asian republics) will create grounds for a hydropolitical challenge for Turkmenistan in relation to its neighbors. While the impact of some variables such as climate change and drought persistence, increasing urbanization and lifestyle changes and consequently a sharp increase in water consumption and the need to produce some strategic agricultural products, will intensify the hydropolitical crisis between Turkmenistan and neighbors in the near future.
Morad Kaviani Rad
Abstract
Reduced rainfall and increased consumption, along with the inefficiency of water resource management, has greatly affected the security of the countries on the desert strip of the world So that dehydration threatens their security, livelihoods and the environment severely. This situation has brought ...
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Reduced rainfall and increased consumption, along with the inefficiency of water resource management, has greatly affected the security of the countries on the desert strip of the world So that dehydration threatens their security, livelihoods and the environment severely. This situation has brought water into Power relations of Political-spatial units On a sub-national and transnational scale. Meanwhile, Iran is among the countries on the dry belt of the world, where the vast portion of renewable has ended its water resources. Available data show that the Zayandeh Rood Basin has been decreasing in the last two decades, and has ended most of its water. The efforts of the authorities in Subnational scale for water supply has exacerbated the difference in the interests of citizens. The data of the present article, which is of a practical nature, has been gathered in a library manner and reviewed by the most visited provincial sites Based on the assumption that partial approach to water issues has led to The positions of the administrators of each province in the Zayandeh Rood Basin are related to appear The geographical position superior and inferior of the province. The result of the article shows that there is a relationship between the geographic location of the province and the statement of the position of Authorities and practitioners in the form of hydro-political relations.
Samira Chenari; Mahmuod Vasegh; Zeynab Farnam
Abstract
Extended abstract
Introduction
One of the main elements of the life is water. Water is the most important part of the survival and life, which in case of shortage, an inherent competition and conflict on it will be raised among different geographical residents. No country will maintain its economic ...
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Extended abstract
Introduction
One of the main elements of the life is water. Water is the most important part of the survival and life, which in case of shortage, an inherent competition and conflict on it will be raised among different geographical residents. No country will maintain its economic and political stability unless being sure of its water resources. Since Iran is located in the dry and semi-arid region of the world, it has always faced sever limited water resources to meet its population needs in different parts. Given the level of precipitation as well as unequal distribution of water resources in different parts of the country, the water resources and the optimal management of these resources has become important for Iran, as well, it turn to a Hydro-politic issue. Hydro-politic issues of Iran in a national scale are formed under the influence of national policies and the water resource management. The water transfer solution from regions with a high water level to dry regions is considered as the most important options for the water management in Iran. Regardless of economic and technical problems, This issue in Iran has always faced the social and political implications within the framework of the crisis and Hydro-politics challenges.
Theoretical Framework
Hydro-politics, as an important subject of political geography which examines the role of water in political behaviors, consists of different approaches such as conflict and collaboration, conflict and interaction among individuals and groups. It has been defined as the efforts to exercise the domination and exclusive use of water resources. The Hydro-politics can be explained as the study of conflicts and collaboration on the distribution of water resources among political units, or the study of the interactions of political units on the water resources at the local, national and regional levels, accordingly the concepts of Hydro-politics challenges at the local, national and regional scales will be formed. Therefore, if there is a Imbalance between water supply and the intensity of its demand in the place, then a crisis would be arisen and when this imbalance cannot be solved using a managerial strategy, then the Interaction would be replaced the conflict, and the Hydropolitics would be formed either in the local dimension and in the national or global dimensions.
Methodology
The present study was conducted through the descriptive-analytical approach to answer the following question, "How has the water transfer in Iran become a Hydro-politics challenge?"
Discussion
The management of water resources of Iran with a centralized and governmental structure, along with tangible and intangible policies, has led the water shortage to be changed into water crisis and eventually, has created the Hydropolitics challenges in Iran. The water shortage and crisis are the important concepts in Hydro-politics. They have a fundamental role in forming the Hydro-politics challenges. The water crisis on a national scale can cause stress and conflicts. These stresses have been resulted from water shortage in the central regions of Iran, for example, Isfahan, Yazd, Kerman and their adjacent regions with a relatively high water level in Zagros Mountains. In the other words, the Hydro-politic challenges in the central regions of Iran are formed based on the sustainability of the water crisis in these areas.
Since water is considered as a national property and capital in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, then the government and the ministry of power have the authority to solve the inter-sectional problems. Therefore, a centralized management of using the water resources has been formed without the participation of local institutions. Water transfer from regions with relatively good hydrologic power in Iran to places with a water shortage without consideration of its social, political and economic consequences, particularly the lack of attention to Iran's political geography regionalism, would be caused intense local and regional competition on the acquisition of water resources. It also leads to the negative political activities of people and authorities.
Conclusion
This study has evaluated the Hydro-Politic factors of water transfer. It has been concluded that in spite of the fundamental limitations and water resources shortage in Iran, the Hydro-Politic challenges of water transfer have been caused by the weaknesses of management and tangible and intangible policy makings in the management of water resources. The negative political regionalism is among the main effective factors on the political activism. If these actions and challenges continue, then they would have negative social, economic and political and ultimately security consequences.
