Divided by the equator along Indonesia, the region also lies in the path of the monsoons that blow from the west from the Indian Ocean, and of the typhoons that develop and move from the western Pacific. Local thunderstorms associated with the oscillation of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) bring short-lived but intense rainfall episodes. The region experienced one of the fastest economic growth rates in the world beginning in the mid-1980s, which continued into the late 1990s.
The countries of the region differ in many aspects of geography, population size, colonial experience, culture, levels of economic development, degree of urbanization, and forms of government. By the end of the 2nd century, Southeast Asia had achieved an impressive level of human progress and economic development, comparable, if not yet on par. After them come Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, which have begun to recover from the effects of the crisis.
The Assembly further agreed on the final draft of the ANWRA Charter to be submitted to ASOEN for its endorsement and eventual approval by the ASEAN Stand-. Water resources are generally abundant in light of the humid tropical regimes, the average total of which for the entire region exceeds 5,590 cubic kilometers per year. The average population density of the region will rise from (508 million)/( 436 million has.)= 1.2 person per hectare to 1.8 p(frsons per hectare after 25 years.
The relative success of the Green Revolution in preventing major famines has been attributed to the large investments made in previous decades in expensive water resource projects for irrigation.
CHALLENGES
Geographically linked to both irrigated agricultural lands and urbanized population centers are the risks associated with flooding caused by monsoons and typhoons. The size of lowland areas provided with flood protection measures remains much smaller than the total flood-prone area (less than 50%). It is also clear that increasing economic development and urbanization in the flood-prone areas will increase the cost of expected flood damage, putting pressure for more investment in flood control projects.
Rural to urban migration is also evident with a relatively large number of the population concentrated in urban cities where high economic activity exists. Three me gad bands have already been developed in Southeast Asia: Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila, each with a population of nearly 10 million. With the rapid population growth, increasing economic development and improvements in the standards of living comes a greater demand for water supply, which thereby puts enormous pres-.
Evidently,
Natural Resource Degradation
Over the past two decades, the degradation of natural resources has escalated to unprecedented proportions due to increased demands from a rapidly growing population. The pattern of forest destruction will only worsen over time if not properly addressed today. Large areas of surface water resources have been severely degraded, mainly due to declining forest cover in watersheds.
Likewise, groundwater resources have not escaped the effects of environmental degradation, as evidenced by the increasing incidence of groundwater pollution caused by improper waste disposal and the infiltration of contaminated surface water into the underground aquifers. The use of agricultural fertilizers and pesticides somehow finds its way into surface water or groundwater sources. The fact that environmental programs aimed at ensuring the protection and management of the environment are in most cases poorly planned and uncoordinated only aggravates the situation.
This can be properly addressed through the adoption of appropriate institutional infrastructure that will ensure a coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources to optimize economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of environmental systems.
Inadequate Institutional and Regulatory Framework
Most recently, Lao PDR began the process of establishing the National Water Resources Development Council to serve as the apex body to address water resources issues. In the Philippines for example, although a national agency intended to be such an apex body exists, the National Water Resources Board faces great difficulty in carrying out its mandate due to a variety of problems such as the lack of independence, budget, technical staff and the lack of coordination with other agencies that may impact on his work. From a water sector perspective, governance is concerned with the basic relationships that exist between national, regional and local governments in the management and development of water resources.
In the absence of an integrated approach to water management, conflicts also arise regarding jurisdiction and ownership of the resource. Although water is generally owned by the state represented by the national (federal) government, local (state) governments have also claimed water resources within their jurisdictional areas. The challenge is therefore to create cooperation and alliances between those who share water sources, especially in the international scenario.
With the signing of the Cooperation Agreement for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin on April 5, 1995 by the four countries of the Lower Mekong Basin: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) was established. The Commission maintains a dialogue with the two upper Mekong countries, China and Myanmar. The two countries cooperate in all areas of sustainable development, use, management and conservation of water and related resources in the Mekong River Basin (MRB), including but not limited to irrigation, hydropower, navigation, flood control, fisheries, timber rafting. , recreation and tourism.
MRC Vision: A world-class, financially secure, international river basin organization serving the Mekong countries to achieve the basin vision. MRC Mission: To promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries' mutual benefit and the people's well-being through the implementation of strategic programs and activities and the provision of scientific information and. However, in cases where such systems exist, the same may not be appropriate, as in the cases of Thailand and the Philippines.
In Thailand, the system of riparian ownership is enforced which is based on a perpetual right to use water on land adjacent to a natural body of water. The principle of "first in time, priority in right" currently enforced in the Philippines also poses a problem, as it prevents the government from reallocating water rights issued earlier in favor of a more equitable allocation given the increasing scarcity of water, i.e. pricing mechanisms in the allocation of water should also be studied, given the growing competition among users.
Food Security
As the population increases, the demand for food increases, which in turn increases the demand for irrigation water.
Lack of Resources
- SOUTHEAST ASIA'S VISION FOR WATER IN THE 21st CENTURY
- SOUTHEAST ASIA'S FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION
- Managing our water resources efficiently and effectively
- Moving towards adequate and affordable water services
Too many public authorities are involved in the various aspects of water management: irrigation, domestic and industrial supply, flood control, infrastructure development, among others. The interrelationship between land and water should be included in the planning process. Supply management is prevalent with governments in the region focusing on the development of new water sources to meet the countries demands.
Although cutting techniques may require high initial investment costs, their benefits were reaped over time. Integrated river basin management can only be achieved in the context of integrated water management (IWRM). These are the guiding principles of IWRM; however, their implementation in specific watersheds will vary depending on the conditions in the specific watershed.
Although others were created in the past, all were project-based so that the institutional frameworks were also project-oriented. In addition to water utilization, the river basin management organization must lead in mitigating water-related hazards such as floods, droughts and erosion, and maintain ecological balance. It is therefore important to raise awareness of the economic, social and environmental value of water among politicians, decision makers and other stakeholders in the water sector.
Programs that introduce focus areas into the educational curricula, linked to intensive programs and gender programs. Such decentralization requires capacitating local institutions and individual stakeholders in integrated water resources development and management, planning and regulatory controls. Moreover, there is much to learn from the experiences of the various countries in the region in the field of water management.
The formation of ANWRA is a step in the right direction and has the potential to become a significant tool for facilitating and developing regional cooperation. Inadequate infrastructure, the absence of clear policies on public-private partnerships and state aid practices have had a negative impact on the water sector in a number of countries in the region. There is growing recognition in the region that the private sector can contribute to a large extent in terms of water supply and sewerage.
There is a need for clear and consistent policies to encourage private sector participation in the water sector. Setting rates that reflect cost recovery principles and recognizing that water is economic goodwill in the long term results in a more efficient system that promotes water conservation as well as optimizes its benefits.
