GROUNDWATER SOCIO-ECOLOGY AND GOVERNANCE: A REVIEW OF INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES IN SELECTED COUNTRIES

Groundwater is crucial for livelihoods and food security of millions of people and yet, knowledge formation in the field of groundwater has remained asymmetrical. While, scientific knowledge in the discipline (hydrology and hydro-geology) has advanced remarkably, relatively little is known about the social and economic institutions that govern groundwater use. As a consequence, not much is known about the benefits of groundwater use, while the problems associated with intensive groundwater use are highlighted and at times even exaggerated. This paper is an attempt to provide a more balanced view of the plus and the down side of groundwater use, especially in agriculture. In doing so, examples are drawn from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Spain, Mexico and USA- all of which make very intensive use of groundwater. The policies and institutions that govern groundwater use have been compared and lesson drawn. Finally, the authors have argued that there is a need for paradigm shift in the way groundwater is presently perceived and managed- from management to governance mode. In this attempt a number of instruments such as direct regulation, indirect policy levers, livelihoods adaptation and peoples’ participation will have to be deployed simultaneously in quest for better governance.