This paper summarises the main findings from the STRIVER project - an integrated inter-disciplinary assessment in four twinning river basins in Norway, Spain, Portugal, India, Viet Nam and Cambodia. The project focused on core elements and a variety of important issues relating to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The paper assesses the current status of IWRM and specific IWRM problems occurring in the basins, and draws some policy guidelines.

Overall, the paper finds that:

• research projects such as STRIVER could act as an independent facilitator, and provide a neutral platform for stakeholder dialogue, which ultimately can facilitate the IWRM process
• stakeholder participation is one of the most critical elements for practical IWRM
• there was willingness among stakeholders to participate in the IWRM process during the workshops that the project organised
• cross-border cooperation was a difficult process and sensitive to address, and can be a hindrance to IWRM if not addressed
• unregulated land use change will have a negative impact on water use and management, if not integrated with overall development in the basin
• the development and show-cases of various tools is of high interest and regarded of high value for the water managers.

The paper recommends:

• the introduction of water pricing as a regulatory measure could help in increasing water use efficiency
• implementation of a simple environmental flow method for hydropower water release could take into joint consideration of all sectoral needs and demands
• considering livelihood issues for all sectoral and marginal groups could increase the water use efficiency and facilitate the move towards IWRM
• it is worthwhile to spend the resources and establish formal links with stakeholders and the research community particularly related to the implementation of IWRM.

• Full text of document
• Publisher details
• Send to a friend