Jumpstarting post-conflict strategic water resources protection from a changing global perspective: Gaps and prospects in Afghanistan

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2013-11, Vol.129, p.244-259
• Main Authors: Habib, H., Anceno, A.J., Fiddes, J., Beekma, J., Ilyuschenko, M., Nitivattananon, V., Shipin, O.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Afghanistan; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Climate change; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Environment; Environmental stewardship; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Integrated water resources management; Post-conflict development; Socioeconomic factors; Strategic environmental assessment; Sustainable development; Transnational policy learning; Warfare; Water governance; Water Resources - legislation & jurisprudence; Water resources management; Water supply
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.07.019

Notwithstanding ambiguities, long-term economic resurgence in Afghanistan amidst water insecurity exacerbated by climate change decisively requires a water protection strategy that will complement a multitude of agroindustrial and socioeconomic activities in an environmentally sustainable and climate resilient manner. In this paper, we begin with a perspective on institutions, legislation, and key issues in the water sector of Afghanistan. We then embark on linking the integrated water resources management (IWRM) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) approaches as a novel framework for strategic water management and subsequently propose a strategy for post-conflict water protection based on the coalesced IWRM and SEA. Context relevant good practices worldwide are presented to provide empirical evidence for this approach whereas perceived opportunities and vulnerabilities in the Afghan context are discussed. Examination of post-conflict water sector initiatives in Afghanistan reveals the critical role of foreign assistance in both water infrastructure rehabilitation and modernization of the institutional aspect of water management. The introduction of IWRM as the basis for a progressive water sector strategy has been seen as a major milestone which is detrimentally matched by substantial deficiency in national capacity for implementation. Concurrently, the role of extra-national actors in relevant policy interventions has been considered catalytic despite criticisms of proposed regulations as being anachronistic to field realities. Therefore the view is maintained to practicable policies by accelerating policy learning in the country's water and environment sectors to encourage homegrown water strategy innovations. Demonstratively, mainstreaming IWRM-SEA coalescence will bridge institutional gaps for better feedback between local and national water stakeholders, providing a venue for improved delivery of water services to sustain post-conflict socioeconomic recovery and promote environmental stewardship. •Afghanistan's water resources face severe climatic and anthropogenic impacts.•There is renewed commitment to the protection of water resources in the country.•Water sector strategy based on synergized IWRM and SEA (i.e. R-SEA) is proposed.•Empirical evidence and implications in the Afghan water sector are discussed.•Future work scope hinges on the policy analytical capacities of relevant actors.