Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Myanmar aims to balance social welfare, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability by managing water resources in a holistic and coordinated manner. It involves integrating water, land, and related resources across sectors and scales, and is guided by principles like participatory decision-making and recognizing women’s roles.
Key Aspects of IWRM in Myanmar:
| (i) | Holistic Approach : |
| IWRM in Myanmar focuses on the entire water cycle, considering all aspects of water use and the interconnectedness of water, land, and ecosystems. | |
| (ii) | Cross-Sectoral Policy : |
| It advocates for a cross-sectoral policy approach to move away from the current fragmented, sector-by-sector approach, which has led to poor services and unsustainable resource use. | |
| (iii) | Participatory Decision-Making : |
| IWRM in Myanmar emphasizes the importance of involving local communities and stakeholders in decision-making processes. | |
| (iv) | Balancing Needs : |
| It aims to balance the needs of different water users, including domestic, agricultural, industrial, and environmental needs. | |
| (v) | Climate Change Adaptation : |
| IWRM incorporates climate change adaptation into water resources planning and management, considering the impact of climate change on water availability. | |
| (vi) | Capacity Building : |
| The strategic study highlights the need for capacity building in the field of IWRM to support implementation. | |
| (vii) | Water Quality and Quantity : |
| IWRM in Myanmar recognizes the interlink between water quality and quantity, advocating for their integrated management. |
Challenges and Opportunities:
| (i) | Implementation : |
| While Myanmar has adopted IWRM since 2014, challenges remain in its implementation, including diverse environmental, social, economic, governance, physical, managerial, and technical aspects. | |
| (ii) | Shortcomings : |
| There are ongoing shortcomings related to water resource management and development, including environmental degradation, social inequities, and economic inefficiencies. | |
| (iii) | Green Growth and Sustainable Development : |
| The national IWRM policy aims to contribute to poverty alleviation, green growth, and sustainable development. | |
| (iv) | Sustainable Rural Development : |
| Integrated Watershed Management, a component of IWRM, aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods and protect the environment in degraded watersheds. |
In essence, IWRM in Myanmar represents a shift towards a more integrated and sustainable approach to water management, aiming to address the complex challenges facing the nation’s water resources while promoting equitable and sustainable development.