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and even more aquifers are shared between countries. This interdependency leads to tensions, especially when the resource becomes insufficient.
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Analysing tensions
Conflict related to freshwater occurs on all levels: between groups of users, between regions, between states…
Many of these discords arise when a water source has to be shared between upstream and downstream users. The most frequent cases concern water used for irrigation, causing tension for example between intensive farming and small farmers, or in a given region, between the agricultural sector and tourism.
Research is done on conflicts at various levels, by studying available resources, needs and uses, and analysing factors underlying former or current discords. Such studies can throw light on appropriate management choices for decision makers, and contribute to the establishment of agreements to share joint resources in a fair way.
Diagnosing the future
Scientists are speculating about the long-term consequences of such conflicts. Some foresee
“water wars” when the demands on a limited resource continue to intensify. For others, the need to share water could lead users and states to collaborate and show solidarity.
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Egypt and Sudan divided the water of Nile among themselves in
1959, with a treaty that does not really take into account border countries, like Ethiopia.
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More than 3 billion people and nearly 150 countries in the world depend on a shared water resource, such as the Nile.
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Upstream countries, being in a position to control the flow of a river, usually enjoy primacy over those lying downstream.
This is for instance the case with
Turkey, which has control over the
Tigris and the Euphrates due to a powerful dam network.
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1.7 % of all agricultural land in the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, is leased or bought by investor countries. With free, unlimited access to resources, they often opt for water-thirsty crops such as rice or sugar cane, which leads to conflict with local farmers.
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Due to a lack of legal agreements, the Orontes is a source of conflict between
Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.
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Precise rules sometimes lack when it comes to governing the sharing of water, particularly when there is a shortage. Conciliation attempt between farmers and government representatives at the opening of canal gates, Tafilalet,
Morocco.
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Peasants take turns to “pass on the water” to irrigate their plots.
An age-old sharing system that they adapt according to the amount of water available.
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In the interest of protecting the region’s natural heritage, part of the Chilean population is against the building of dams on the Baker and Pascua rivers.
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at high altitudes is in great demand in the Ecuadorian Andes, leading to conflicts between the various users. Attempts are being made with the help of scientists to set up a better coordinated, integrated water management system.
Population growth and rampant urbanisation in the Quito region are causing a sharp increase in water demands, which further contend with irrigation needs.
Considerable amounts of water therefore need to be brought in from the Páramos region to the urban areas of the metropolitan district.
In the face of the arising conflicts, the Ecuadorian government has been trying since 2008 to implement a resource administration system that is geared towards concerted, integrated management between the various users. In this respect, the Quito water company is looking for cooperation methods based on scientific expertise.
Studies were carried out by the G-EAU joint research unit (IRD, Irstea, Engref, IAMM-
Ciheam) that works in Quito together with academic and technological institutions of
Ecuador (National Institute of Meteorology and
Hydrology, National Polytechnic School, and the
Municipal water and sanitation company).
Researchers have drawn up reports of current supply and demand, and have simulated prospective supply scenarios until 2050. Their studies were presented to a river basin council representing all users.
As a result of these discussions, different actions were chosen for the long-term management of the basin: limiting grazing to higher areas, creating protected areas on land bought by the town, etc. Proposals were also made to limit tension between the town and Andes communities that consider the water of the páramos as a resource that belongs to them.
Quito
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Researchers build supply-demand models to test various water-sharing scenarios for the Quito basins.
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Tropical rains and glaciers provide the páramos with an abundant water supply.
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The slopes of the Pichincha volcano, some twenty kilometres from Quito, are gradually being invaded by unplanned urbanisation.
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To meet its present needs, the city of Quito intends to extract water from the páramos by means of catch basins and dams. Salve
Faccha dam.
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Since time immemorial, the páramos have supplied water to irrigation channels.
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Water extractions for the city of
Quito generate conflict with users of irrigation and small communities in the Andes.
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Researchers are studying the hydrobiological characteristics of the páramos rivers.
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To reduce tension with the
Andes community of Oyacachi and strengthen relationships, the Quito water company has pursued various actions in the páramos : employing
6 wardens for hydraulic structures, developing trout farming, building a traditional craft centre, improving road access to further exchange, etc.
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