Strategic Decision Support for Resolving Conflict over Water Sharing among Countries along the Syr Darya River in the Aral Sea Basin
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 133, Issue 4
Abstract
The graph model for conflict resolution (GMCR), along with its associated decision support system GMCR II, are employed for systematically studying the strategic aspects of conflict existing among countries in the Aral Sea Basin of Central Asia. Competition for water is increasing in the central Asian countries in the Aral Sea Basin since they became independent in 1991. Disputes have developed between the three downstream countries, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and the two upstream countries, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, in the basin in sharing water in its two main rivers, Syr Darya and Amu Darya. The downstream countries are heavy consumers of water for growing cotton while the upstream countries want to use more water for electricity generation and farming. Accordingly, GMCR II is utilized as a formal mechanism for better understanding the complex conflict existing at present among countries along the Syr Darya and for providing insights as to how these countries may interact with one another in attempting to reach a resolution acceptable to all. In particular, strictly following the present water allocation agreement by all parties is found to be the most preferred resolution for both the upstream and downstream countries.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to express their sincere gratitude to the anonymous referees and the editor whose insightful suggestions enhanced the quality of their paper.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 133 • Issue 4 • July 2007
Pages: 289 - 299
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 23, 2004
Accepted: Jun 1, 2006
Published online: Jul 1, 2007
Published in print: Jul 2007
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