Managing transboundary rivers: The case of the Mekong river basin

Abstract

During the last decade, leaders of the Mekong Countries have found it mutually advantageous to open up the Mekong Sub‐Region (MR) for development and trade, which promises some degree of political stability and regional security. Within the present political, cultural, and economic dynamics, the Mekong River Basin (MRB) ‐ one of the major international river basins in MR ‐ is a powerful catalyst for regional cooperation that facilitates sustainable development and regional stability; if, that is, the effective management intervention is in place to make sure that the benefits and costs of river basin development are spread equitably and peacefully. Nonetheless, there are numerous stumbling blocks in achieving integrated and balanced MRB management, such as limited success in real basin wide planning, implementation and monitoring and a poor knowledge base for supporting informed decision making and, finally, political impediments.

A workable and truly regional cooperative mechanism for integrated management of the MRB is yet to be developed, regardless of the existence of numerous regional institutions and organizations. The present paper proposes new schemes with (re)designing principles and performance determinants for a regional cooperative mechanism.     

湄公河干流径流变化及其对下游的影响

湄公河水资源丰富,径流时空变化大.在阐述湄公河水资源及其开发利用状况的基础上,分析了下湄公河干流径流变化及其对洞里萨湖和湄公河三角洲的影响.研究表明:影响湄公河干流径流的水量主要来自老挝,对湄公河干流径流贡献最大的是巴色―上丁段;流域水电开发和水资源利用,改变了下游水文条件,主要使下游汛期洪水威胁减小,枯季径流增加;湄公河水倒灌进入洞里萨湖,在雨季蓄积大量洪水,对湄公河金边以下径流起着天然调节作用,减缓了湄公河三角洲海水入侵和洪水影响,提高了旱季农业灌溉保证率.     

China’s ‘old’ and ‘new’ Mekong River politics: the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation from a comparative benefit-sharing perspective

This article analyzes China’s Mekong River politics before and after the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) from a comparative benefit-sharing perspective. China’s pre-LMC approach focused too much on the creation of economic benefits from and beyond the river while neglecting ecological benefits to the river. Moreover, despite the problems this ‘old’ approach caused for China and its downstream neighbours, China’s current LMC strategy seems to essentially replicate its former approach. While sustainable water resources management is identified as a priority area, actual cooperation and benefit sharing in this field remain insufficient.     

Data-sharing bottlenecks in transboundary integrated water resources management: a case study of the Mekong River Commission’s procedures for data sharing in the Thai context

Integrated water resources management (IWRM) relies on co-ordination, co-operation and sharing of collected data amongst relevant organizations. This article presents the results of systematic research into non-technical barriers that influence IWRM-related data sharing in transboundary contexts, with a focus on the Mekong River Commission’s procedures for data sharing in Thailand. The current extent of data sharing is quite limited. The main bottlenecks hindering relevant Thai organizations’ sharing data across national boundaries appear to be a perception of limited gains, and concerns for national security. The article concludes that data sharing for IWRM implementation cannot be radically improved without significant changes in the mindsets of the relevant organizations, and suggests how to achieve this.     

A Cooperative Game Analysis of Transboundary Hydropower Development in the Lower Mekong: Case of the 3S Sub-basins

Hydropower development has enormous economic, environmental, and social impacts at a local, national, and trans-national level. It has been suggested that transboundary water conflicts, such as those that may arise from hydropower development, may be addressed through benefit sharing. This study attempts to investigate the net benefits of hydropower development and water resources utilization in transboundary sub-basin, the Sekong, Sesan and Srepok (commonly known as 3S) sub-basin, in the Mekong River Basin using a game theory approach. This study proposes a methodology for analyzing complex transboundary river-basin issues using the game theory concepts, such as core stability and incentive compatibility. A wide range of parameters have been incorporated to define models and methodologies, and an adaptation strategy for the area has been proposed. The results suggests that benefit sharing and cooperation among the riparian countries would lead to benefits to all. It is observed that the greater the cooperation, the higher is the total benefits. External funding and optimal usage of funds will also play a critical role in this context in the near future. The results of the study will provide a basis for local policy decisions and regional planning in the Mekong River and beyond.     

泛珠江流域水资源可持续利用对策

泛珠江流域天然水资源较为丰富,但由于人口的增长和经济的发展,泛珠江流域水环境问题日益严重,出现了缺水和水污染严重等问题。论文对比分析了泛珠江流域的水资源现状,并从加强区域合作、合理分配水资源,推行清洁生产、建立珠江流域系统管理与控制体系等方面对区域水资源的可持续发展提出了建议,指出了开源与节流是珠江流域用水可持续发展的对策。     

Mekong River Development

Abstract

We propose in this paper that the challenge to create a sustainable channel of commerce and prosperity in the Mekong River basin which contains 70 million people and encompasses the 230 million people of Cambodia, China's southern province of Yunnan, Burma, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, represents the “last frontier” of Southeast Asia. Balanced, sustainable development has been pitted against purely economic objectives, which necessarily involve the taming of the Mighty Mekong by the investors, politicians, and technocrats who seek to build bridges, erect dams, and divert waters, disrupting the local lives which the river has traditionally sustained throughout a millennium of seasons. Now the voices of the people directly affected by the development projects have organized to express their alternative dreams for the river development. We argue that the Mekong needs to be envisioned from broad perspectives recognizing the symbolic and pragmatic dimensions of the river development from being more than a transportation route or source of commodity water, to “seeing” the river as a landscape and ecosystem worthy of preservation and protection for future generations.     

National and International Water Law

Abstract

The exchange of data and information relating to transboundary water resources is widely accepted as being an appropriate starting point for more comprehensive cooperation. This paper examines under what conditions data and information exchange occur in relation to shared water resources, and hence examines when it can be used as a confidence building measure. An overview of several major international river basins together with more detailed case studies of the Mekong. Rio Grande, and Rhine River basins suggest that factors that promote data and information exchange include the presence of compatible needs, absence of legacies of mistrust, increasing water resources stress, perceptions that cooperation is of mutual benefit, external pressure and funding, comparable levels of institutional capacity, popular and political concern about water resources management, and functional formal or informal cooperative arrangements. Analysis of the situation prevailing between Israel and the Palestinians with regard to shared water resources suggests that data and information exchange does not seem likely in the short term, even though other forms of cooperation have been established with mixed results. This suggests that in some situations, at least, data and information exchange relating to shared water resources may not be useful as a first step in establishing more comprehensive cooperation.     

基于供水限额的喀什噶尔河流域水资源合理配置

水资源的合理配置对喀什噶尔河流域未来社会经济发展有着非常重要意义。本文以喀什噶尔河流域水资源及开发利用现状为基础,针对喀什噶尔河流域用水总量实行限额供水的问题,分析了流域地表水-地下水资源的配置方案;有力地促进了水资源的可持续利用,对水资源严格管理的实现起到了促进作用。     

Interstate negotiation mechanisms for cooperation in the Mekong river basin

Abstract

China, an upstream state and a regional hegemon in the Mekong River Basin, is commonly viewed as unilaterally exploiting water resources, irrespective of downstream states (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia). This view is derived mainly from China's unilateral exploitation of the upper watershed for hydroelectricity and navigation, raising concerns about negative socio‐ecological impacts on the downstream states. However, recent empirical evidence shows that China is gradually getting involved in negotiations and processes with the downstream states, compromising with them little by little. Indications of this policy shift include: (a) its signing agreements for hydrological data exchange, (b) confidence‐building with co‐riparians in the Dialogue Meeting of the Mekong River Commission, and (c) multinational negotiation with co‐riparians in framework of regional institutions. In light of this shift, this article argues that China is not fully enjoying its superior resources or its superior riparian position, contrary to the common view. The aim of this paper is to (1) explain and provide updated information on these negotiation mechanisms, which are attempting to resolve the upstream‐downstream dispute in the Mekong River Basin, and (2) produce counterevidence against the Theory of Hegemonic Cooperation.     

基于主体功能区的重庆市水资源合理配置

以重庆市为例,从水资源的角度,结合全国及重庆市全面实施最严格水资源管理制度,落实“三条红线”的现实要求,探讨如何通过合理配置,促使区域有限的水资源与重庆市主体功能区相协调,以支撑重庆市经济社会健康、快速、持续发展.     

A cooperative framework for optimizing transboundary hydropower development

Hydropower development may result in water conflicts among the riparian nations, which, however, can be resolved by benefit sharing. An optimization framework is proposed for a transboundary sub-basin following a cooperative game theoretical approach. A broad range of factors at different levels of cooperation between the riparian countries has been used in the optimization model. As an illustration, the framework is implemented in the Sesan and Sre Pok sub-basins of the Lower Mekong Basin. Higher levels of cooperation lead to greater total net benefits as well as greater benefits to individual countries.     

中国国际河流管理问题分析及建议

介绍中国国际河流管理的现状,分析中国国际河流管理存在的主要问题,并针对这些问题提出以下建议:实现合作共享、优势互补,可持续与环保,带动区域经济发展是中国国际河流合作开发管理的宗旨;中国国际河流管理应向多边合作、区域综合合作、流域整体开发和管理的方向发展;健全、完善并创新现有与国际河流管理有关的法律法规,促使各法律法规协调运行;建立多层次、多主体参与的国际河流管理协商机制。     

黄河流域水环境现状与水资源可持续利用

以水资源的可持续利用支持经济社会的可持续发展，是当今的治水思路。水资源短缺、水污染严重是黄河水资源管理中面临的主要问题。针对黄河流域水环境状况，根据可持续发展的内涵、基本点以及原则，从保护黄河水资源的角度提出了保证水资源可持续利用的具体措施：①完善黄河水资源管理法规体系；②进行流域水资源统一管理；③加强水量水质统一监测；④建立水量水质联防队伍；⑤实行水资源总量控制；⑥开展洪水资源化研究；⑦开展污染物在汇流面上的运行规律研究；⑧加强清洁生产和节水减污工作；⑨发挥水资源的经济杠杆作用；⑩加强珍惜水资源的宣传工作。     

The Mekong Game: Achieving an All-win Situation

In recent years, there have been many quarrels among countries of the Mekong River Basin surrounding use of the water resources of that river. In particular, China’s behavior of constructing dams upstream has resulted in objections by many people in all countries downstream. Cooperative game theory has been applied to solving issues of building and utilizing dams on trans-border rivers. The central question is how to allocate the surplus benefits generated by the dams. This paper proposes to achieve an all-win situation in use of Mekong water resources through cooperation. A game named “The Mekong Game” was designed for those Ph.D. students and resource persons to play on the PROSPER.NET’s workshop in 2010. For a hypothetical case in Mekong Game, the Shapley Value Method’s results were given, which could be regarded as one of equitable results in theory, and the Mekong Game’s process and outcomes are introduced in this paper. Participants were divided into six groups representing the six involved “countries.” The process of meeting an agreement with an all-win idea was simulated through three round-table negotiations. For the hypothetical case, different set of results under different situations were compared and discussed, including no dam(s), dam(s) without cooperation, dam(s) with cooperation but without compensation and re-allocation, Shapley Value Method, and Mekong Game (bargaining and negotiation). The results reveal: although it is hard to get theoretical optimal aftermath considering other complicated factors than those can be calculated, the all-win situation is still possible through bargaining and negotiation processes, which should be much better than all-lose situation such as the current one.     

河南省东部地区水资源基本状况及其可持续发展战略

水资源是促进经济发展必不可少的资源,对于区域经济发展起着关键作用。河南东部地区的水资源匮乏,且开发利用率极低,已经严重的制约了该地区的经济发展。因此,在河南东部地区实施水资源可持续发展战略极其重要。通过调查,本研究为维持河南东部地区水资源的可持续发展的开发利用提供了几点参考建议,即必须因地制宜地进行适度开源,实施引黄灌溉工程,跨流域调水,加强污水防治及水质监测工作,同时加大相关政府部门的监管力度。     

加强黄河水资源统一管理对策研究

水资源的自然属性和社会属性,决定了以流域为单元实施水资源统一管理的客观必要性。黄河属于资源性缺水的流域,随着流域人口的增加、经济社会的快速发展,水资源供需矛盾日益尖锐,已经成为制约流域可持续发展的瓶颈性因素。因此,必须以科学发展观为指导,从黄河流域的实际出发,建立健全水资源统一管理的体制、机制以及相关法规,强化流域管理机构水行政执行能力,注重公众参与,发挥市场机制的调节作用等,通过这些综合措施,切实加强黄河水资源统一管理,实现水资源的优化配置,以水资源的可持续利用,支撑流域及相关地区经济社会的可持续发展。     

汉江蜀河水电站建设项目水资源论证的研究

建设项目水资源论证制度是深化取水许可管理的一项重要举措。以蜀河水电站工程建设项目为研究对象,为加强汉江流域水资源管理,保障蜀河水电站工程的合理用水要求,支持区域社会经济的协调与可持续发展。分析区域水资源量及可利用水量、论证项目开发利用水资源对区域水资源状况及其他用水户的影响,进行项目取水和退水影响论证,提出建设项目的水资源保护措施,从而确保建设项目取水的可靠性和可行性。     

基于生态优先的渝西地区水资源配置研究

重庆市渝西地区自产水资源短缺,河流生态脆弱,水资源和水环境承载能力不足以支撑区域经济社会可持续发展,水资源配置格局亟需优化。因此,基于MIKE BASIN软件平台建立了渝西水资源配置模型,模拟对象包括区内主要水源工程、用水户和河流;然后从生态基流需水、水生生物需水、基本自净功能需水3个方面分析了河流控制断面生态环境需水量。在此基础上提出了在退还现状生产生活挤占的生态用水和区内水资源优先满足生态环境需水的前提下,以提水利用嘉陵江、长江过境水为主要解决生产生活缺水并补充河流生态环境用水的水资源配置方案。     

“Good Dredging Practices”: The Place of Traditional Eco-livelihood Knowledge

Residents of most rural communities in developing countries depend on surface water resources for their livelihoods. The development and management of this vital resource should as much as possible take into consideration local socio-economic priorities if sustainable development is to be achieved at local levels in these countries. Inland river dredging is a water resource management strategy usually aimed at improving water courses for navigation, land reclamation and or mitigate flood in the dredged catchment. Dredging operations like most development projects have impacts that are often localised, and benefits that could be local, regional or national. “Good dredging practices”, GDP, in industrialised countries have been aimed at balancing national/regional economic benefits, technical feasibility and environmental protection. These practices rely heavily on the quality, and quantity of available relevant base-line data. In most developing countries there is a dearth of baseline data, and often national/regional economic gains do not necessarily translate into local livelihood benefits. Hence, the basis of GDP should be extended to incorporate local livelihoods priorities, without ignoring the relevance of scientific data when it is available, the issue of technical feasibility, environmental sustainability and economic viability. This approach is relevant to the demand for equitable development in the developing world; could be used in conjunction with traditional eco-livelihoods knowledge in developing or determining appropriate approaches for sustainable surface water resources management, as well as reducing environmental conflicts between stakeholders.