Institutional pathways for transforming groundwater planning and management: Reflections from Pakistan and Sri Lanka

The growing issues with groundwater quality and quantity worldwide are particularly impacting regions of South Asia, where use plays a crucial role in human well-being. As the severity situation becomes clearer, there increasing calls for transformation water management. In this paper, we consider institutional influences on transforming management by reflecting our recent collaborative research Pakistan scoping study Sri Lanka. Pakistan, have shown that it is possible previously “siloed” stakeholders to develop shared understandings build useful enduring practice networks. Such can support planning, but must be informed effective monitoring modeling, an willingness think beyond traditional formal regulatory tools. Regional local scale planning could encourage interactive processes broader thinking. Given similarity human-groundwater between parts Northern Lanka, undertook small see if similar would valuable there. Our brief visit confirmed commonalities situation. By experience make case encouraging embracing as part resources approach emphasizes important contributions both managers users encourages ways integrating paradigms, knowledge, norms, practices. Establishing genuine co-inquiry among requires deeper appreciation constraining enabling roles established institutions play thus ultimately arrangements. 全球范围内日益严重的地下水水质和水量问题对南亚地区的影响尤为严重, 南亚的地下水利用对人类福祉起着至关重要的作用。鉴于情况的严重性越来越明显, 越来越多的呼吁要求水资源管理转型。本文中, 通过反思我们最近在巴基斯坦的协作研究和在斯里兰卡进行的范围综述, 我们衡量了制度对地下水管理转型的影响。我们在巴基斯坦的研究表明, 以前“孤立”的利益攸关方有可能对地下水状况形成共同理解, 并建立有用且持久的实践网络。这种共同理解能支持协作规划, 但前提是存在有效的监测和建模, 以及一种不局限于传统正式监管工具的制度意愿。区域和地方层面的规划能鼓励互动过程以进行更广泛的思考。鉴于巴基斯坦部分地区与斯里兰卡北部地区的人类-地下水情况存在相似性, 我们进行了一项小型研究, 探究类似的协作研究在斯里兰卡是否具有价值。我们的短暂访问证实了这种情况的共性。通过反思我们在巴基斯坦和斯里兰卡的经历, 我们提出一项论点, 以鼓励和接受协作研究作为水资源管理转型的一部分。我们的方法强调了水管理者和用户的重要贡献, 并鼓励一系列用于整合范式、知识、规范和实践的方法。要在地下水管理者和用户之间建立真正的协同探究, 需要更深入地理解公共机构能发挥的约束性和促进性作用, 从而最终实现制度安排转型。 Los crecientes problemas con la calidad y cantidad del agua subterránea en todo el mundo están afectando particularmente las regiones sur de donde uso juega un papel bienestar humano. A medida que gravedad situación se vuelve más clara, aumentan los llamados transformación gestión agua. En este documento, consideramos influencias institucionales al reflexionar sobre nuestra reciente investigación colaborativa Pakistán estudio alcance Pakistán, hemos demostrado es posible partes interesadas previamente "en silos" desarrollen entendimiento compartido construyan redes prácticas útiles duraderas. Dichos conocimientos compartidos pueden respaldar planificación colaborativa, pero deben estar informados por monitoreo modelo efectivos, una voluntad institucional pensar allá herramientas regulatorias formales tradicionales. La escala regional podría fomentar procesos interactivos para pensamiento amplio. Dada similitud humana-agua entre norte llevamos cabo pequeño ver si sería valiosa allí. Nuestra breve visita confirmó puntos común situación. Al experiencia defendemos fomento adopción como parte recursos hídricos. Nuestro enfoque enfatiza importantes contribuciones tanto administradores usuarios agua, fomenta formas integrar paradigmas, conocimientos, normas prácticas. Para establecer genuina consulta conjunta aguas subterráneas requiere apreciación profunda restrictivos habilitadores desempeñar instituciones establecidas y, lo tanto, última instancia, arreglos institucionales. There worldwide, including advancing well-being (Shah, 2009), especially relation enhancing food security smallholder farmers. improved or even approaches strengthen interaction engagement (see, e.g., Icyimpaye et al., 2022). explore how contribute management, systems-informed Lanka Pakistan. We follow Trommel Van Der Veen (1997) considering informal social structures regulatory, normative, structural, cognitive aspects. Government departments universities institutions, so too laws, norms (habits expectations), collective wisdom. authors were team commissioned Australian government new managing drew participatory through process inquiry 2016 2021 (Punthakey 2021). January 2020, stakeholder consultation scope out project has yet eventuate. reflect these two experiences. For context, begin background action before discussing reflexive methodology used paper. then present salient details key lessons from what learned conclude exploring experiences contexts discuss their implications Water complicated complex. United Nations SDG 6, which recognizes importance water, also supports concept Integrated Resources Management (IWRM). However, breadth effectiveness inclusion mostly fall well short required (Nagata Because strength engineering paradigm (Saravanan associated top-down, non-reflective, short-term commonly applied (Allan, 2012), IWRM often seen “a box tick” rather than real change thinking acting (Arfan 2020). Approaching systems perspective (Collins 2009) may more successful transformation, systemic facilitate transdisciplinary. Systemic consideration highlights (e.g., Mitchell social-ecological Bouchet 2019; Huggins 2023), resilience (Mitchell 2014). move over past half century considered widespread co-learning turn Participatory methods arose mid late 20th attempts sustainable development, “developing” countries (Gruber, 2010; World Bank Group, 1994). Participation environmental sustainability firmly linked report General Assembly produced Agenda 21 (United Assembly, 1992). “voice” expressing differences empowering greater range people otherwise recognized. Closely providing justice/fairness voice, those denied these, idea building “capacity” individuals communities. Collaborations, activities, been proposed tools achieving emancipatory goals world development (Chambers, 1997; Woodward & Hetley, 2007). deliberative long natural resource Rodela, 2012). Many typologies participation (see Reed, 2008, summary) ladder Arnstein (1969), most equating citizen decision making power. These ladders related metaphors conceptualizing power relations situations linear easily described understood. becoming increasingly apparent climate change, production, biodiversity, ecological “wicked” because they difficult define, outcomes actions cannot predicted certainty. Writing context Collins Ison (2009, p. 2) suggest “that roles, responsibilities purposes involved re-conceptualized, not along lines mediated terms power, suggested Arnstein, learning about nature issue itself might progressed.” Social broad term variously describe enquiry co-management assets (Schusler 2003), groups learn each other enhance socio-ecological (Stringer 2006), entity whole context-specific multiparty collaboration (Pahl-Wostl 2007), achievement concerted complex uncertain times (Ison Watson, core descriptions activities lead change. implies medium- long-term overt goal behavioral Collaborative (co-inquiry) particular form learning, interest concern come, brought, together possibilities constraints design test alternate arrangements and/or taking purposive interventionist Midgley (2003). Co-inquiry different backgrounds interested parties draw (Foster 2019). facilitated purposeful enables stake encounter differing points view, maintain momentum when difference uncertainty, improving (Allan 2020; Steyaert Jiggins, Over time, creates safe space discovery, embedded networks hierarchies, investigation reflection valued (Ison, 2002). possibility communities share responsibility upon depend decisions collectively its all (Maheshwari, 2023). Establishment basis transitions away unsustainable inequitable practices involves shift (Kliskey 2023; Schoeman 2014) will require restructuring (Abson 2017). Although assert best co-created at levels, benefit interventions multiple levels scales (Granberg concepts transformative above gaining recognition, actual ground slow, least such relations. challenges societal critical emergence intersecting bricolage ideas, technologies, (Mayaux reflections efforts establish presented below offer insight into some emerging ideas. second question additional analysis. heard had identified needs, layered own needs effectively addressed using adopted Allowing researchers projects identify common themes across studies offers significant opportunity improve articulate Malmborg 2022; Mayaux Once summaries, guide published data ease reading, findings separate narratives. Pakistan's population 220 million relies heavily agriculture-based economy, accounts around 95% country's consumption (Young bulk production occurs provinces Sindh Punjab, centrally managed Indus Basin Irrigation System surface supply system insufficient current demands agricultural intensification (Zhang This encouraged increased dependence via unregulated private tubewells fill temporal spatial gaps availability. During 1970s 1980s, actively allow farmers increase cropping control shallow tables. years, ongoing imbalance extraction recharge led continuous decline Punjab (Ashfaq Ashraf, 2006). province Balochistan, irrigators rely almost entirely groundwater, massive growth production. Irrigators traditionally supplied community-based Karezes, now, accessed rapid tubewells. rates depletion threatening future Balochistan's (Khair 2011). Access allowed extent intensities land 67% 120% areas much 180%. contributed farm incomes security, now being farming family livelihoods rural employment. benefits however, cost availability deteriorating quality. example, areas, marginal conjunctively canal builds up salinity soil profile time. effort provincial governments policies Zhang urgency developing manage sources driven scarcity, competition domestic industry, agriculture. Underpinning need variability devastation floods droughts faced during decades. ACIAR-funded was consciously developed consisted Australia (a hydrologist, scientists, economist, freshwater ecologist) partnering staff universities, agencies, national international organizations classic “project” milestones expected outputs, approached sub-inquiries occurring needed. centered six studies: Sindh, focused irrigator communities, families irrigated supports. foundational objective understanding designing futures norm. Central work parallel capacity concurrent establishment spaces called “stakeholder forums,” existing knowledges wisdoms shared, directions (action) research. An feature large, permeable, team. guided internal coordinating team, included researchers, “research team” encompassed transdisciplinary group partners families. first all-of-project meeting set direction project; 3 days Faisalabad, carefully planned workshop aimed nurture confirm purpose impact pathways. Rural Appraisal, undertaken members departments, continued sharing journey central project—building modeling forums inquiries—encouraged supported dialogue wider beyond. project's overarching trajectory built capital norms. Developing ongoing, regular community. enabled underlying causes observed phenomena poor avoided focusing only visible events symptoms discouraged rush find immediate simplistic “solutions.” reflects interest. It us paradigms worldviews shape behaviors 2021), time-consuming undertake. Maintaining habits working difficult, organizational time constant constraints. meant take step toward transformational command-and-control based models research, accepted 4 years outcome. clear indications provide sound platform co-creating clearly needed Based discussions funding agency, four highlighted 2021)—these listed Table 1. To added results 1 mentioned final match workshops Universities agencies collaboratively, provinces, enhanced efficiency. Stakeholder discussion engagement. Women willing underused resource. groundwater. One paper prior Jaffna Peninsula recognized extend context. Like many Lanka's coastal urgent improvement given rapidly agriculture, domestic, industrial tourism. study, financially Charles Sturt University, mid-January 2020 International Institute (IWMI). IWMI seeking explore: How, affecting interact collaborate? keen bring wide founded co-learning. Effective stakeholders, users, collaboratively adaptive strategies impacts high within limits (Elshall Achieving relevant optimize potential knowledge skills ensure legacy socially institutionally embedded. Livelihoods threatened overexploitation poor-quality seawater intrusion. demand high-value intensive agriculture potable post-conflict pressures, tourism, Peninsula. obtained shallow-dug deep-tube wells thin lens fresh overlying saline aquifer (Mikunthan 2013), main source small-scale irrigation, market gardens, 0.5 residing peninsula surrounding islands Gamage, Seawater intrusion markedly reduced wells, dry season, (Chandrajith Ensuring balancing risk intrusion, task compounded climatic changes Asia region. Additionally, pollution, agrochemical residues, adversely closely monitored. Peninsula, projected result shifting rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, decreased rainfall, prolonged droughts, rising sea devastating storm surges tropical cyclones. 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami resulted contamination several thousand wells. Sustainable dependent Mannar asset, wetlands Elephant Pass lagoon supporting variety bird life, migratory species. evident number schemes Department National Supply Drainage Board. Assessing tourism assessing yield under present, conditions assessment provides framework effective, equitable, emerge. this, saw essential deliberations. therefore comprised them intention network formed co-development longer endeavor discussions. operating independently externally local, district, provincial, Lankan political environment, University well-placed engage district responsible Staff coordinated half-day workshops. held Colombo, participants Colombo-based representatives IWMI, NGO. workshop, Jaffna, hosted Provincial Council, helped recruit selected experts who directly salinity, Other academics (AHEAD) university papers special issue). notes written tables Café summarized list topics aspect table. Following discussion, further reduce duplication. summary constitute input proposing develop. topic checked agreed accurate everyone room, three sticky dots invited place dot next list. “voting” ranking topics. That did indeed room slightly adjusted discussion. raised “results” here word matter. quickly documenting disseminating participants' use, continue forums. ranked Colombo 2. suggested, voting spread widely Reflecting discussions, highly regulation investigations, monitoring, moderately, promote better assessments. mainstream, unsurprising resources, approaches. 3. base participants, fewer consensus workshop. top (of engineers farmers) regulation. At ideas moderately voting. hoped influence academia CSU, others submitted proposal sought northern priorities agency Austr