Water Resources Management - Practices of Irrigation and On-farm Water Management - page 171

Integrated water resources management is therefore a systematic process for the
sustainable development, allocation, and monitoring of water resource use in the
context of social, economic, and environmental objectives. The integrated approach
to management of water resources necessitates coordination of the range of human
activities which create the demand for water, determine land uses, and generate
waterborne waste products. The principle also recognizes the catchment area or river
basin as the logical unit for water resources management.
Since water sustains life, effective management of water resources demands a
holistic approach, linking social and economic development with protection of nat-
ural ecosystems (environmental). Effective management links land and water uses
across the whole of a catchment area or groundwater aquifer. Integrated water
resources management (IWRM) balances the views and goals of affected groups,
geographical regions, purpose of water management, and protects the water sup-
plies for natural and ecological systems. IWRM implies more coordinated decision
making across sectors (Fig. 5.1 ) .

Fig. 5.1 Relevant sectors of
water for coordinated
decision making

Agriculture

Fisheries

Finance

Energy

Water

Environment

Industry

In summary, integrated water resources management is entrenched in sectoral
interests and requires that the water resource is managed holistically for the ben-
efits of all. It offers a guiding conceptual framework with a goal of sustainable
management and development of water resources.
Water is a subject in which everyone is a stakeholder. Real participation only
takes place when stakeholders are part of the decision-making process. The type of
participation will depend upon the spatial scale relevant to particular water man-
agement and investment decisions. A participatory approach is the best means for
achieving long-lasting consensus and common agreement.

5.3.3.2 Approaches, Barriers, and Problems of Integrated Water
Resources Management

Each country has its priority development and economic goals set according to envi-
ronmental, social, economic, and political realities. Problems and constraints arise