Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands

The control of groundwater over abstraction is a vexing problem worldwide. Jordan is one of the countries facing severe water scarcity which has implemented a wide range of measures and policies over the past 20 years. While the gap between formal legal and policy frameworks and local practices on t...

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Main Author: Naber, M.A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: IWA Publishing 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/89164
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author Naber, M.A.
author_browse Naber, M.A.
author_facet Naber, M.A.
author_sort Naber, M.A.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The control of groundwater over abstraction is a vexing problem worldwide. Jordan is one of the countries facing severe water scarcity which has implemented a wide range of measures and policies over the past 20 years. While the gap between formal legal and policy frameworks and local practices on the ground is widely acknowledged, few studies investigate how local users react to state regulations and document their tactics to circumvent them. This paper examines the major tools implemented by the Jordanian government to control well expansion and water abstraction and how farmers in the Azraq basin have responded to these measures. It then documents how, in response, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation has recently enacted a series of creative counter-measures, both direct and indirect, in an attempt to toughen law enforcement and raise pressure over groundwater users. The lessons learned are highly relevant for countries with similar situations, both in the region and elsewhere.
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spelling CGSpace891642024-05-01T08:17:14Z Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands Naber, M.A. groundwater water governance water policy water law legislation state intervention highlands local communities farmers wells The control of groundwater over abstraction is a vexing problem worldwide. Jordan is one of the countries facing severe water scarcity which has implemented a wide range of measures and policies over the past 20 years. While the gap between formal legal and policy frameworks and local practices on the ground is widely acknowledged, few studies investigate how local users react to state regulations and document their tactics to circumvent them. This paper examines the major tools implemented by the Jordanian government to control well expansion and water abstraction and how farmers in the Azraq basin have responded to these measures. It then documents how, in response, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation has recently enacted a series of creative counter-measures, both direct and indirect, in an attempt to toughen law enforcement and raise pressure over groundwater users. The lessons learned are highly relevant for countries with similar situations, both in the region and elsewhere. 2017-08-01 2017-11-01T05:34:21Z 2017-11-01T05:34:21Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/89164 en Open Access IWA Publishing Naber, M. A. 2017. Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands. Water Policy, 19(4):692-708. doi: 10.2166/wp.2017.127
spellingShingle groundwater
water governance
water policy
water law
legislation
state intervention
highlands
local communities
farmers
wells
Naber, M.A.
Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands
title Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands
title_full Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands
title_fullStr Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands
title_full_unstemmed Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands
title_short Controlling groundwater over abstraction: state policies vs localpractices in the Jordan highlands
title_sort controlling groundwater over abstraction state policies vs localpractices in the jordan highlands
topic groundwater
water governance
water policy
water law
legislation
state intervention
highlands
local communities
farmers
wells
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/89164
work_keys_str_mv AT naberma controllinggroundwateroverabstractionstatepoliciesvslocalpracticesinthejordanhighlands