Water governance case of Kabul River Basin



Introduction

Water administration is a major issue in Afghanistan. There is a lack of research on water management in Afghanistan. This topic is not only important, but also remarkable since water governance is important and has a big impact on the GDP of the country.

It may also represent a positive development for the country, especially in the water industry. The water sector is the integrated part of the global system. This suggests that this element is essential to the functioning of the global system. The worlds of 2022 and 2030 could not be at all similar. Moreover, it is impossible to forecast improvement in the absence of a definite guarantee. As such, the general concept of water administration must also change to reflect these changes.

The Northern River Basin, the Panj-Amu River Basin, the Harirod Murghab River Basin, the Helmand River Basin, and the Kabul River Basin are Afghanistan's five main river basins. There is a good likelihood that each of the above river basins will benefit the country. For instance, there is a lot of potential for hydropower generation from the Kabul River, which might improve and influence the local economy; however, Pakistan is a transboundary nation that shares a river with Afghanistan (Aryoubi 2020).

Water governance refers to the numerous political, social, economic, and administrative frameworks that are in place to develop and manage water resources and the supply of water services at different societal levels. By definition, Water governance encompasses a range of social, political, economic, and administrative structures that are implemented to supervise the utilization and administration of water resources, along with the delivery of water services to communities at different levels (Rogers and Hall 2003).

Furthermore, Afghanistan has been in unstable times for about 40 years. This prolonged volatility hurt every aspect of society, particularly the water industry and the government. Academic institutions and other training organizations for aquatic environments experienced setbacks or functional compromises. It was not possible for young people who should have been getting additional scholarships to do so. Donor countries do not finance the water business adequately since there is no systematic structure. Furthermore, donations to the water sector cannot be utilized to improve the country's water administration due to a technological constraint (Rasooly 2019).

Furthermore, it is critical to comprehend the concept of effective water governance. The social, political, economic, and environmental facets are the four primary dimensions and components of good water governance. To elaborate on the previous four points, water has a social component when it is used fairly. Its use has a political component when it is democratic. The economic aspect of water is when it is used effectively. Not to mention, water has an environmental dimension when it is utilized responsibly. The four metrics listed above serve as the benchmarks for effective water governance. It cannot be said that there is excellent water governance if any of the indications are absent (Aryoubi 2020).

When it comes to the Kabul River Basin, the administration is appalling. As previously stated, there are four components to excellent water administration, but none of them apply to the case study of the river basin around Kabul. Furthermore, there is a transboundary 7 between this basin and Pakistan, the riparian nation. It is true that this basin is devoid of both institutional mechanisms and procedural regulations. It indicates that there is no diplomatic relationship between the riparian nation and this basin. Knowing the distinction between water governance and water management is also very beneficial. It is a mistake made by professionals when it is used interchangeably in various situations. Describe water management, then the coordinated and organized distribution of resources and methods toward the achievement of predetermined objectives is known as management.

Research aim

Afghanistan now has a legitimate government; however, the country's next administration has to focus on the water industry. For the control of water resources to promote the economy, environment, security, stability, peace, and regional cooperation, they must take decisive action. Therefore, knowledge about the nation's present water governance structure is required in order to proceed forward. Taliban at the very least have a moral duty to protect the advances and accomplishments of the previous 20 years. The majority of the development initiatives for the country's sustainability in the past several years have been funded by the international community, namely the United States. However, the nation continues to struggle with stability, wealth, and poverty.

The study will be able to identify the primary difficulties and issues Afghanistan is dealing with. Since there hasn't been much research done on Afghanistan's water governance, the study's recommendations may be used by government and nongovernmental organizations. The study's premise is that its findings will contribute to improved water governance in Afghanistan, especially with regard to the Kabul River Basin. There is an introduction, a review of the literature, findings, debates, a conclusion, and references in this study. The following two questions are addressed in order to fulfill the goals of this study:

1. What are the principal advantages and disadvantages of Afghanistan's water administration system?
2. Which principles are must for water governance system?

Literature review

Water diplomacy, which has received a lot of attention due to the ongoing water scarcity or occasionally crisis in recent years, refers to the potential force of conflict and violence or, on the other hand, collaboration and management over shared and international water resources. The ability of the recipient nations to manage shared waterways in order to establish political stability is known as «water diplomacy». This implies that international water resources and borders should be managed sustainably, free from tension or conflict between the parties who own water rights (Papli Yazdi and Vothoqi, 2011).

This notion states that all interested nations can use shared water resources, but such use shouldn't negatively impact other nations. The theory of limited territorial integrity views the rights of all upstream and downstream countries as being equal and strikes a medium ground between Harmon's theory and the idea of ultimate sovereignty over the land. According to this notion, transnational rivers serve as shared resources that help riparian nations come to an understanding about their shared interests. International law recognizes this theory (Pilton and Sediq Batahai Asl, 2015).

The most prevalent substance on Earth's surface and the fundamental source of life as we know it today is water. Water covers more than 70 % of the surface of the globe. This is true even though just 2 % of the water on Earth is pure and suitable for drinking; moreover, of this 2 %, over 90 % is frozen in the poles or deep within the planet, which presents a challenge. Removed and beyond the grasp of humans. Furthermore, the Earth's surface does not have an equal distribution of freshwater resources. Approximately 80 nations are experiencing a water deficit, with nine countries—Canada, China, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Russia, the United States of America, Indonesia, and India—holding a combined 60 % of the world's freshwater resources (Sadeghi, 2016: 203).

Water governance is a word that has gained enormous prominence in the previous twenty years. The concept has gained significance not just in policy papers but also in academic study, with several books bearing the term in their names and its own periodicals, including the International Journal of Water Governance and Water Governance and Policy. Water is incredibly sociable and natural (Zwarteveen et al. 2017). Water governance refers to the procedures, structures, and mechanisms that allow all parties involved—the public and private sectors, civil society, and pressure groups — to share their goals, communicate their priorities, exercise their legal rights, fulfill their legal obligations, and resolve conflicts according to their respective areas of expertise (van Leeuwen 2017). Furthermore, as stated by the Global Water Partnership, «the number of political, social, economic, and administrative systems which are in place to develop and manage water resources, and serving of water services, at different levels of society and nation» is the definition of water governance. (Biswas and Tortajada 2010).

Furthermore, according to UNDP, water governance is «the exercise of political, administrative, and economic power to manage a nation's affairs at all levels». It consists of the systems, procedures, and establishments that locals and groups use to express their concerns, assert their fundamental rights, fulfill their commitments, and settle disputes (Cleaver and Franks 2005). According to this definition, governance is the process of making decisions that involves all facets of society, including its members and allied groups. To be more exact, the UNDP definition states that national, subnational, and transboundary affairs are conducted by political, economic, and administrative authorities using and exercising their authority. Additionally, authorities create structures, procedures, and mechanisms that allow the population and allied groups to express their needs, fulfill their commitments, assert their legal rights, and resolve disputes when they arise.

Normally, groups and populations differ from one another. Therefore, the aforementioned methods and procedures arbitrate and resolve such disputes and conflicts. Furthermore, these systems and procedures are crucial to any civilization because without them, it would be impossible for it to survive, and even if it did, it would not be a stable society. This definition leads to the conclusion that governance refers to the process by which individuals and organizations manage their affairs. Water governance may be defined as the process by which individuals, citizens, and associated groups arrange for the provision of water services at various societal levels, including national, subnational, and international ones. Mechanisms are specialized arrangements that govern how water access is arranged. Stated differently, there are certain methods that decide who has access to water at various societal levels (Cleaver and Franks 2005).

This description highlights the complexity of water governance, which includes choices for usage, irrigation, watershed management, and other matters. In addition, a wide range of other subjects, such as farming, land use, and resource water usage and circumstances are biophysically and socio-politically related to management, which increases the complexity of institutional factors, research elements, and decision-making processes (UNESCO Report, 2015).

Furthermore, each organization defines water governance differently in accordance with its own goals. Definition provided by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development When it comes to the administration of a society's resources for social and economic development, governance is defined as «the use of political and social power and exercise of control» (Tortajada, 2010). This organization emphasized that governance is the use of political authority and control in connection to the social and developmental management of one's own resources. To be more specific and analytical, governance may be defined as the application of political power and control at various societal levels, predicated on the management of de facto resources in order to promote social and economic growth. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) definition emphasizes that social and economic development are central to its meaning and that it offers a society complete support. To sum up, governance—which is based on the OECD—is the use of political authority and control in society for the purpose of social and economic growth. It is based on the management of resources.

Methodology

I chose the qualitative approach for this research, since qualitative data was required, the approach I selected is the most appropriate one. I was unable to accomplish the goal by using a different approach. The uneasy circumstances are a notable challenge for our investigation.

Afghanistan has inadequate water administration, especially with regard to the Kabul river basin. These flaws made the system of water governance flimsy and unstable. The present water governance structure was judged to be in compliance with OECD guidelines. Some of the metrics do not align with the governing arrangement over the river basin of Kabul. There are two primary questions in this study.

1. What are the principal advantages and disadvantages of Afghanistan's water administration system?
2. Which principles are must for water governance system?
3. How does water governance system work in the case of Kabul River Basin?

Analysis and discussion

The water administration challenges facing Afghanistan, emphasizing the critical importance of effective governance and management of water resources in the country's socio-economic development.

Afghanistan's water sector has suffered from decades of instability, delaying research efforts and institutional capacity building. This instability has also led to inadequate financing from donor countries, further exacerbating the challenges faced in water governance. Water governance, defined as the comprehensive framework encompassing political, social, economic, and administrative structures, is vital for equitable and sustainable water resource management. It ensures fair, democratic, efficient, and responsible use of water, considering its social, political, economic, and environmental dimensions.

The significance of water governance extends beyond national borders, particularly concerning transboundary river basins shared with neighboring countries like Pakistan. The absence of institutional mechanisms and diplomatic relationships complicates the management of shared water resources, necessitating collaborative efforts for effective governance. Distinguishing between water governance and management is essential. While governance focuses on overarching policies and frameworks, management involves coordinated distribution of resources and methods to achieve specific objectives. Effective governance lays the groundwork for efficient management.

Addressing the challenges in Afghanistan's water administration requires concerted efforts, including investment in research, capacity building, strengthening institutional frameworks, and promoting stakeholder engagement. Sustainable practices, technological innovation, and international cooperation are also crucial for ensuring water security and socio-economic development. On the other hand, an enormous problem in Afghanistan's water administration is insecurity and instability. Because of the absolute lack of security and high risk to the lives of government employees, even the government was unable to finish its surveys and data gathering from the Kabul River Basin. The inability of the Afghan government to construct dams across the Kabul River Basin was also a factor; however, other potential causes were a lack of funding and a bilateral arrangement with the riparian nation over the basin. Accordingly, Afghanistan's issues with water administration may be made worse by a lack of technical capability. This country lacks sufficient professional water management specialists, although its surrounding countries have more experts and professionals in this field. Furthermore, this nation has not had much experience with contemporary water management; instead, it still relies on conventional techniques. Therefore, another flaw in the nation's water administration is the lack of water specialists. Regarding the Kabul River Basin, it is possible that Afghanistan was unable to construct dams due to a lack of technical capability (Habib 2014).

In addition to this, another issue with Afghanistan's water administration may be the lack of participation from the populace and local consumers. Locals, particularly farmers, are the primary consumers of the nation's water resources, but they have been excluded from the process of water governance in Afghanistan, which is detrimental to the country's water governance. Furthermore, while they are the primary users of this water and the top-down strategy is used with it, Kabul inhabitants are not involved in the administration of the Kabul River basin. Additionally, while population expansion is a common occurrence worldwide, it poses a serious challenge to water administration in Afghanistan. Droughts in recent years have harmed the entire nation, but particularly the villages. In order to find work, the villages are returning to the metropolis as a result of the drought. The water system was under strain from their return to the cities, and demand was rising. Consequently, the increase in urban population increased the need for water administration (Ahmadzai 2018). Afghanistan has been a battlefield of conflict for many years. Conflicts usually do harm to all aspects of life. Therefore, the water industry is either one of the victims of Afghanistan's protracted conflict. Since their living conditions are difficult and they are not even able to work, or their lives are in danger, more water management specialists and experts have traveled abroad. Their withdrawal from Afghanistan thus represents a critical shortcoming for water administration. Due to the difficult circumstances in Afghanistan, the majority of the professionals responsible for managing the water resources in the Kabul River Basin have departed the country, leaving insufficient numbers to manage the water resources.

In conclusion, by prioritizing sustainable water governance and management practices, Afghanistan can harness its water resources to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and ensure environmental sustainability, ultimately benefiting its people and the region as a whole.

Conclusion

Afghanistan's economic success and the stability of the area depend heavily on water governance, which also promotes regional collaboration. The water governance in Afghanistan is evaluated in this study with respect to its strengths and limitations. First, as Afghanistan shares four transboundary river basins with nations downstream, bilateral agreements are required for collaboration and infrastructure development, particularly with regard to the Kabul river basin where such agreements are absent. In addition, Afghanistan's limited domestic budget and security issues make it necessary to interact with the international community in order to secure funding for national water projects and draw in investment, especially for possible dam development in the Kabul River basin.

Water governance is critical to Afghanistan's economic prosperity and the stability of the region, since it fosters regional cooperation. This research assesses Afghanistan's water administration in terms of its advantages and disadvantages. First, bilateral agreements are necessary for cooperation and infrastructure development because Afghanistan shares four transboundary river basins with countries downstream. This is especially true for the Kabul river basin, where there are currently no such agreements. Furthermore, communication with the international community is required to acquire money for national water projects and attract investment, particularly for potential dam building in the Kabul river basin, due to Afghanistan's limited domestic budget and security concerns.

Furthermore, in order to develop responsive water governance institutions in line with OECD principles—which are currently not completely applied, notably in the Kabul river basin—consultation with specialists in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is important. Afghanistan's upstream location presents chances for efficient water governance and hydro-hegemony, which the government should take use of despite these obstacles. Finally, the understudied topic of water governance needs additional study to uncover its strengths and weaknesses.

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