Sustainable Water Development for Developing Countries

The effective planning, design and management of water resources systems for sustainable development are severely hampered in developing countries by five major factors. First, use is frequently made of an incomplete framework for analysis, ignoring positive impacts of development. Second, there is a lack of appropriate methodology for applying environmental impact assessments in these countries. Third, there is a lack of adequate knowledge about the effects of water development projects. Fourth, there are institutional restraints, particularly the division of responsibilities among various ministries. Fifth, monitoring and evaluation are seldom integrated into project management. Each of these interrelated problems is discussed in turn.

By Asit K. Biswas, 1988. Article published in International Journal of Water Resources Development, Volume 4, Issue 4, pages 232-242. DOI: 10.1080/07900628808722397

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