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![Figure 1. The Hellebore spp plant [14].](profile/Saifullah-Khan-2/publication/350794137/figure/fig1/AS:1011381281247234@1618143496941/The-Hellebore-spp-plant-14_Q320.jpg)
Since prehistoric times, water conflicts have occurred as a result of a wide range of tensions and/or violence, which have rarely taken the form of traditional warfare waged over water resources alone. Instead, water has historically been a (re)source of tension and a factor in conflicts that start for other reasons. In some cases, water was used d...
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... was especially true in regions affected by water scarcity, such as the lands adjacent to the Dead Sea in Palestine, where the fortress of Masada (originally the royal palace of Herod the Great) was located [23]. This structure, high above the surrounding terrain (Figure 3), had been equipped with vast warehouses, ".... in the most appropriate areas, many cisterns to collect and distribute water in abundance, almost competing with nature to make this fortification even more impregnable a place that was already inexpugnable" (Josephus, Jewish War, VII: 176). After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the future emperor Titus Flavius Vespasian, the Jewish rebels fled from Jerusalem, occupied Masada, and were eventually besieged by the Roman army. ...
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... It has for some time been a riparian water that has created some political issue in the different nations where the river is located especially Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The historical factor at the backdrop of the Nile water conflict can be traced back to colonial times and the bargaining centrality of the river to the involved hither land countries (Angelakis et al., 2021). It is noteworthy that the conflict over the water of the Nile is relatively recent; It began only in the 20th century. ...
... The GERD is aimed at producing electrical energy to support the country's electricity demand and develop the economy. But with construction of the dam coming up, Egypt and Sudan became concerned with reduction of water flow to downstream tracts which are essential for agriculture, drinking water and even the economy (Angelakis et al., 2021). ...
Citation: Tiryaki, Ü. and Keser, A. (2024). The role of sustainable water management and effective governance in mitigating water conflict in the middle east. Abstract Water scarcity and conflict represent critical challenges in the Middle East and the Nile Basin, regions where water resources are both vital and limited. This study explores the role of sustainable water management and effective governance in mitigating water conflicts, with a focus on the complex interplay between environmental, economic, and sociopolitical dimensions. Drawing on a combination of primary and secondary data and employing descriptive analysis, the research examines historical legacies, governance structures, and management practices that shape water politics in transboundary contexts. This research provides actionable recommendations for fostering cooperation and mitigating conflict, including the establishment of binding legal frameworks, promotion of regional dialogue, and integration of advanced technologies into water management practices. By adopting these strategies, stakeholders can transform water from a source of conflict into a catalyst for regional stability and shared prosperity. The findings offer valuable insights for addressing water challenges not only in the Nile Basin and the Middle East but also in other regions facing similar transboundary water issues. Öz Su kıtlığı ve çatışma, su kaynaklarının hem hayati hem de sınırlı olduğu Orta Doğu ve Nil Havzası'nda kritik zorlukları temsil etmektedir. Bu çalışma, çevresel, ekonomik ve sosyopolitik boyutlar arasındaki karmaşık etkileşime odaklanarak, su çatışmalarının hafifletilmesinde sürdürülebilir su yönetimi ve etkin yönetişimin rolünü araştırmaktadır. Birincil ve ikincil verilerin birleşimi kullanılarak ve tanımlayıcı analiz uygulanarak yürütülen araştırma, sınır ötesi bağlamlarda su politikalarını şekillendiren tarihsel mirasları, yönetişim yapıları ve yönetim uygulamalarını incelemektedir. Bu araştırma, bağlayıcı hukuki çerçevelerin oluşturulması, bölgesel diyaloğun teşvik edilmesi ve gelişmiş teknolojilerin su yönetimi uygulamalarına entegrasyonu dahil olmak üzere işbirliğini teşvik etmek ve çatışmaları hafifletmek için uygulanabilir öneriler sunmaktadır. Paydaşlar, bu stratejileri benimseyerek suyu bir çatışma kaynağı olmaktan çıkarıp bölgesel istikrar ve ortak refah için bir katalizör haline getirebilir. Bulgular, yalnızca Nil Havzası ve Orta Doğu'da değil, benzer sınır ötesi su sorunlarıyla karşı karşıya olan diğer bölgelerde de su sorunlarını ele almak için değerli bilgiler sunmaktadır.
... Populated countries and regions around the world with growing economic activity require an increasing supply of water. Sometimes, these resources do not exist and generate disputes between territories (Fernández-Jáuregui et al., 2017;Angelakis et al., 2021). The future perspectives in terms of water resource management on a global level indicate a greater complexity in the planning of water uses. ...
La planificación y gestión del agua en España se está viendo afectada por los efectos registrados del proceso actual de cambio climático. El paradigma tradicional basado en una política de continua oferta de agua ya no se ajusta a las previsiones de disminución de caudales que señalan la modelización climática e hidrológica. La garantía de la seguridad hídrica, principio rector de la planificación, como señala la Ley de Cambio Climático de 2021, requiere de la incorporación de nuevos recursos hídricos que permitan hacer menos dependiente la propia gestión del agua de las precipitaciones. La eficaz gestión de la demanda, la incorporación de aguas regeneradas con alto nivel de depuración, la inclusión de las aguas pluviales para usos urbanos y de ocio y el uso de aguas desaladas en zonas de litoral con finalidad principal de abastecimiento se presentan como alternativas viables frente al desarrollo de grandes obras públicas hidráulicas que se demuestran ineficaces en condiciones de sequía. El trabajo muestra un balance actualizado de recursos y demandas de agua y analiza la creciente dificultad de la planificación hidrológica en nuestro país en un contexto político complejo que requiere acciones de cooperación y gobernanza en materia hídrica. Se presentan una serie de recomendaciones, desde la geografía, para la necesaria adaptación de la planificación hidrológica a los efectos del cambio climático en España.
... Due to its capacity to harm enemy communities and their armies by depriving or eroding their water resources, water has occasionally been employed as a direct weapon. [3]. Water conflicts can stem from territorial disputes, resource competition, strategic advantages, and political distresses, with water historically being a cause of conflict and a source of stress that may have origins beyond water itself [4]. ...
Water resources that flow across social, political, or economic boundaries are generally referred to as transboundary water resources. Over half of the surface water has been shared with the neighboring border. Transboundary water disputes are widespread in both industrialized and developing nations. However, the absence of competent and effective transboundary water resource management always constitutes an imminent challenge to the achievement for the development of the riparian countries and the common watercourses in a coordinated and equitable manner. As a result of inadequate or lacking structures and procedures for settling disputes over shared water resources, the issue endures in the majority of transboundary lake basins, aquifers, and river basins. Major international treaties, conventions, and agreements pertinent to the issue have been frequently formulated upon certain fundamental and customary principles of water law. Several principles for disputes settlement regarding transboundary water resou
... For instance, the Maya civilization relied on reservoirs and cisterns to capture and store rainwater, ensuring a stable water supply during periods of drought [38]. Modern cities facing water scarcity, such as Cape Town or São Paulo, could adapt these ancient techniques by incorporating urban rainwater harvesting systems to capture and store stormwater for future use [39]. Singapore, for example, has already adopted advanced rainwater harvesting practices, significantly improving its water security in the face of unpredictable rainfall patterns [40,41]. ...
... These systems not only supported the day-to-day needs of their populations but also reflect a sophisticated understanding of environmental constraints and the long-term consequences of unsustainable practices. By revisiting these ancient approaches, modern urban planners and policymakers may find valuable strategies for addressing the water-related challenges of the Anthropocene [39]. ...
As urban centers worldwide face the escalating impacts of climate change, rapid urbanization, and increasing water scarcity, the need for sustainable water management practices to enhance urban resilience in the Anthropocene has become critical. This study explores how ancient water management practices—including Roman aqueducts, Maya rainwater harvesting systems, and ancient Chinese flood control techniques—can be adapted to address contemporary water challenges in modern cities. We evaluate these historical practices through a lens of contemporary environmental pressures, including climate change, urbanization, and resource scarcity. By integrating ancient methods with modern technologies, we propose adaptive solutions to enhance urban water resilience. Case studies from five cities (Singapore, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia) illustrate how modern green infrastructure, inspired by ancient techniques, is being successfully implemented to manage stormwater, mitigate urban flooding, and improve water conservation. By integrating historical practices with modern technologies—such as advanced filtration systems and water recycling—these cities are enhancing their water resilience and sustainability. The findings suggest that urban planners can draw valuable lessons from historical systems to design adaptive, climate-resilient cities that balance human needs with ecological sustainability. This paper concludes with actionable recommendations for future urban planning, emphasizing the importance of decentralized water systems, nature-based solutions, and community engagement to ensure sustainable urban water management in the Anthropocene.
... Water scarcity is a growing issue, especially in the Southwestern and Southern parts of the United States of America (USA) and many parts of the world [1]. This is due to frequent, prolonged droughts and climate change, as well as rapid population growth, mass migration, and urbanization [2,3]. It is unlikely that conventional water resources, including surface water and groundwater, alone can support future population and economic growth, and long-term water supply availability has been one of the most important issues for water utilities in the USA [4]. ...
... Averages and standard deviations are shown.Notes: * secondary standard.1 At no time turbidity can be higher than 1 NTU.2 Removal is required depending on raw water concentration and alkalinity. ...
Groundwater and surface water have been the primary sources of our public water supply around the world. However, rapid population and economic growth, as well as global climate change, are posing major threats to the quality and quantity of these water resources. Treated wastewater (reclaimed water) and stormwater are becoming more important water resources. Use/reuse of these unconventional water resources can enable a truly sustainable, closed-loop, circular water system. However, these two sources are not usually mixed with each other. In this study, we propose the use of combined excess urban stormwater and reclaimed water as a source of potable water supply. One of the most pronounced benefits of this proposed scheme is the possible elimination of costly and energy-intensive processes like reverse osmosis. Reclaimed water tends to have high concentrations of dissolved solids (>500 mg/L) and nitrate-N (>10 mg/L), which can be lowered by blending with stormwater or rainwater. Despite technical and engineering challenges, this approach can benefit various communities—small, medium, large, upstream, downstream, urban, and rural—in diverse climates. Our study suggests that this new holistic approach is feasible, enabling the combined water to be directly used as a sustainable drinking water source.
... There is widespread scientifi c agreement that population growth and unsustainable consumption are the main drivers of the current growing scarcities of freshwater (Bradshaw et al., 2021;Crist et al., 2022). Freshwater has been a scarce resource historically and confl icts over water go back about 5,000 years (Angelakis et al., 2021). Predictably, severe mismanagement by some cities and countries will cause excessive migration and possibly lead to water wars in the future (Parker, 2016). ...
... The UN, through the IAEA, also mediates the water allocations of users of large multinational aquifers, such as the Nubian aquifer in Northern Africa and the Guarani aquifer in South America, in an attempt to avoid confl icts and to sustainably manage the aquifers (Britain et al., 2015). As aforementioned, there have already been confl icts over access to freshwater and other resources, and more are expected to occur (Nnoko-Mewana, 2018;Ribeiro, 2018;Darling, 2019;Angelakis et al., 2021). ...
... While the occurrence of water-related conflictive events has increased in recent years [Giordano et al., 2013;Schmeier et al., 2018;United Nations Children's Fund, 2019;Gleick et al., 2020;Angelakis et al., 2021;Zikargae et al., 2022], employing appropriate methods to analyze water interactions can facilitate the transformation of destructive conflicts into productive cooperation (Zeitoun et al., 2019;Gleick, 2022). Understanding the dynamics of conflicts allows for the examination of interactions among stakeholders and drivers, thus enabling the exploration of scenarios that promote mutually beneficial outcomes and help alleviate conflicts (Ercoskun, 2021). ...
Comprehensive analysis of water interactions enhances understanding of the dynamic and complex conditions in transboundary river basins. The Basin at Risk (BAR) method is among common methods to analyze water interactions. The integrated Basin at Risk (iBAR) method has recently enhanced BAR. As an extension of BAR, iBAR emphasizes hidden drivers of water conflict and cooperation, whereas BAR includes visible ones. The novelty of iBAR is grounded in Johan Galtung’s theory of violence and the concept of positive peace. This method emphasizes the importance of capturing the hidden aspects of water conflicts as well as the concept of positive peace in water interactions. While iBAR has made significant improvements in addressing water conflicts, some challenges remain. This paper provides a review and theoretical analysis of iBAR. Initially, the iBAR development phases are reviewed in terms of positive peace conceptualization and contextualization in water interactions. Following this, the theoretical background of this method is discussed. The results suggest that the iBAR method could be further enhanced by revising concepts of positive peace, social justice, and environmental justice in water interactions.
... There is widespread scientific agreement that population growth and unsustainable consumption are the main drivers of the current growing scarcities of freshwater (Bradshaw et al., 2021;Crist et al., 2022). Freshwater has been a scarce resource historically and conflicts over water go back about 5,000 years (Angelakis et al., 2021). Predictably, severe mismanagement by some cities and countries will cause excessive migration and possibly lead to water wars in the future (Parker, 2016). ...
... The UN, through the IAEA, also mediates the water allocations of users of large multinational aquifers, such as the Nubian aquifer in Northern Africa and the Guarani aquifer in South America, in an attempt to avoid conflicts and to sustainably manage the aquifers (Britain et al., 2015). As aforementioned, there have already been conflicts over access to freshwater and other resources, and more are expected to occur (Nnoko-Mewana, 2018;Ribeiro, 2018;Darling, 2019;Angelakis et al., 2021). ...
An examination of a few examples of aquifer-use shows the importance and fragility of groundwater, with poor management leading to over-extraction by individuals and authorities producing subsidence – sinking cities. Freshwater is one of our most precious resources and it is rapidly disappearing, leading to global drying. At the same time, the global and urban populations are increasing, with civil unrest increasing due, in part, to freshwater shortages. The increasing global population and global urbanisation are driving an increase in water use, restriction of aquifer recharge and increased aquifer pollution. It is argued that urban population growth with attendant increased water use, combined with climate change and poor management, is significant in water stress. Particular attention must be paid to the effect of rising populations on local water resources, especially groundwater, and the knock-on effect on urban sustainability.
... In addition to this situation, the demand to secure access of water in rural areas, with equitable distribution among its users and consideration for the environment, has been one of the reasons behind the political and social process of a new Constitution [10]. These processes, if not handled correctly, can escalate, such as with the water wars seen in Cochabamba, Bolivia [11]. ...
... During colonial times (i.e., 1600 to 1810), the fights surrounding water in the region occurred between competing water consumption activities, such as the demand to access water sources to develop urban settlements, water-powered industries, fishing, mining, and irrigation [11]. For these issues, the country's water management was guided by Castilian law through the Fuero Juzgo (Jurisdiction Forum), the Fuero de Castilla (Castilla Forum), the Fuero Real (Royal Forum), and the Código de las Siete Partidas (Code of the Seven Parties) [18]. ...
The number of disputes related to water that reach courts in Chile has increased in the last decades, the topics of these disputes have become more complex, and the current conflict resolution system has not been able to adjust to this situation. This study analyzes colonial texts from water-related conflicts that were addressed at the Royal Hearings in Santiago (1691–1800) and from the Cabildo gatherings (1541–1802), using an adaptation of the Institutional Analysis and Development framework. The research shows a strong institutional system surrounding conflict resolution during colonial times, with nested schemes and empowered figures appointed in leading roles. However, a lack of equity and inclusion of all actors is also visible, reducing its legitimacy. At present, the increasing value of water and a sense of distrust in the institutional system have led to longer and more complex conflict resolution processes. Here, learning from past times about the empowerment of the institutional system for solving water disputes could be useful. An increased support towards initial conflict resolution mechanisms, giving space for local knowledge and generating stronger participation in these initial steps, is a lesson for the future.
... In areas with limited access to water and generally in dry areas such as Iran, historical hydraulic structures are man-made ancient water systems that provide life and civilization [18,19]. The rich hydraulic heritage not only manifests the cultural values of local communities but is also a model for sustainable structure and performance [20,21] as well as the manifestation of ecological wisdom [22]. Ecological wisdom governing historical hydraulic heritage is the product of experiences over generations that have fully understood that the sustainability of resources and the survival of communities mainly depend on how to plan, manage, resolve conflicts, solve problems, and adapt to the environment [19]. ...
... Researchers such as [21][22][31][32][33][34] have tried to strengthen the link between social and ecological systems as well as emphasize the regeneration of ecological wisdom to reduce the negative impact of the development of social systems on ecological systems. Thus, ecological wisdom is widely restored and recommended for the planning and management of socio-ecological systems in modern times [23,36]. ...
Ancient civilizations long practiced sustainable and integrated water resource management. To implement groundwater sustainability policies and strategies, this study introduces ecological wisdom as a transdisciplinary integrated approach. The present study aims to present strategies for the development and evolution of ecological wisdom governing Qanat hydraulic structure (QHS) with the groundwater sustainability approach in an Iranian desert region. Thus, the constraints of the development and evolution of ecological wisdom governing QHS were extracted using the structural-interpretive model, and the strategies for their development and evolution were presented with an operational-prescriptive approach. The results indicate that 14 variables can be identified as strategic constraints for the development and evolution of QHS. Also, based on eleven extracted scenarios with strong consistency, only two highly adaptable scenarios would design strategies for developing and evolving ecological wisdom governing QHS. Therefore, Rethinking the ancient heritage and developing ecological wisdom which governs it not only manifests the ecological considerations and cultural-social values of local communities but also considers a comprehensive and transdisciplinary approach to addressing materialism and reductionism challenges as well as providing a pattern for making visible the invisible treasure and groundwater sustainability in dry regions
