Small Basin Governance scheme: linking water sector reforms and governance in the Aral Sea Basin

Abstract

ABSTRACT As river basin reforms in the countries of the Aral Sea basin gain momentum, the focus is commonly on large basins. Thus, multiple interests at the sub-basin level are largely ignored, increasing the risk for potential conflicts. This research considers inland and transboundary small river watersheds to illustrate a basin governance scheme that emerged during larger basin reforms and successfully satisfies both contexts by linking governance at multiple scales. In particular, splitting river basins into smaller hydrologic constituencies to establish sub-basin councils is found to be instrumental in enhancing overall representation, stakeholder engagement, basin planning and transboundary water cooperation.