Author(s): Gautamee Baviskar
Email (s): gautamee.baviskar@gmail.com
Institution or organization of origin: Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
Country: India
Abstract:
The paper presents the analysis and findings from a recently concluded study of the governing principles of water share in inter-district transboundary water management of the Upper Godavari Basin located in the state of Maharashtra in India. We used the eight design principles of sustainable natural and common pool resources management as a methodological framework. The design principles used to analyse are, clearly defined boundary; congruence between appropriation and provision rules and between provision rules and local condition; collective-choice arrangements; monitoring; graduated sanctions; conflict resolution mechanisms; minimal recognition of rights to organize and the nested enterprises of the context. The Upper Godavari lake basin admeasures 21443.2 sq.km. of area covering three district administrations namely, Nashik, Aurangabad, and Ahmednagar which includes 29 urban and 2523 rural centres and home to 10.3 million population. We carried out perception survey, focus group discussions, and expert interviews besides detailed geospatial timeline mapping of the basin to understand the governing principles of water share. The Design Principles were found operational thus calling the transboundary water management of the Basin, a successful case. The paper adds to the literature gap in the transboundary water management at the scale of village and district level where, one can get into the working details of the formal and informal arrangements between people, local leaders, local businesses and local government agencies besides learning how traditional wisdom is crucial to augment the present technological advancements in water governance particularly data development and dissemination.