Document Type : Applied Article
Authors
1 Ph.D. of Watershed Management Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, I. R. Iran.
2 Postdoctoral Researcher in Political Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran
3 Former Ph.D. Student, Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department, of Watershed Management, Natural Resources Faculty, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
Abstract
Water, as a vital element for socio-spatial sustainability, has evolved into a central geopolitical issue in recent decades due to factors such as climate change, population growth, and economic development. This applied research employs a descriptive-analytical approach to deeply investigate watershed governance within the hydropolitical context of the transboundary Hari River. The primary objective of this study is to identify and analyze the key drivers influencing the future of hydropolitical relations in this river basin. Research findings indicate that four main drivers have been identified by experts as the most significant key factors influencing hydropolitical relations in the Hari River Basin: social engineering of society based on hydropolitical goals of water resources, focusing on local water governance, coordinated management of international river basins, and utilization of indigenous knowledge, rainwater harvesting, and flood management. These drivers emphasize the necessity of a comprehensive and integrated approach to watershed governance that encompasses social, institutional, international, and technical dimensions. The findings underscore the critical importance of these drivers in ensuring regional water sustainability and security, mitigating potential tensions, and facilitating transboundary cooperation for optimal and sustainable management of shared water resources in the Hari River Basin. These drivers necessitate a comprehensive and integrated approach to watershed governance, encompassing social, institutional, international, and technical dimensions, and outline future water management paths through three key scenarios.
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