Diverse drivers of unsustainable groundwater extraction behaviour operate in an unregulated water scarce region
Article
Article Title | Diverse drivers of unsustainable groundwater extraction behaviour operate in an unregulated water scarce region |
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ERA Journal ID | 5850 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Khair, Syed Muhammad (Author), Mushtaq, Shabaz (Author), Reardon-Smith, Kate (Author) and Ostini, Jenny (Author) |
Journal Title | Journal of Environmental Management |
Journal Citation | 236, pp. 340-350 |
Number of Pages | 11 |
Year | 2019 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0301-4797 |
1093-0191 | |
1095-8630 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.12.077 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479718314993 |
Abstract | Depletion of groundwater resources is of increasing concern in many parts of the world; however, farmers'perceptions of resource status and the role these have in influencing decisions about groundwater use are rarely considered and even more rarely analysed. This paper investigates the links between farmers' perceptions of resource condition and drivers of groundwater decline and patterns of groundwater use in the semi-arid highland region of Balochistan, Pakistan. Key factors associated with groundwater over-exploitation in this region, identified by farmers, include: high returns from irrigated fruit and vegetable cultivation; drought; mass installation of tubewells; inefficient irrigation practices; government policies and subsidies that promote groundwater development; and lack of effective groundwater governance. Critically, while a majority of farmers in this study believe that groundwater is a limited resource, there is little evidence to indicate that this then leads to sustainable groundwater use decision making within these communities. Without effective intervention, groundwater resources in this region will potentially suffer the consequences of human behaviour associated with the use of common pool resources identified in Hardin's (1968) seminal ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ paper. This study exemplifies the importance to the future of rural communities in water scarce regions of effective governance, regulations and economic incentives for sustainable water management. |
Keywords | common pool resource; over-exploitation; water scarcity; tubewell; groundwater governance; subsidy |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 300210. Sustainable agricultural development |
410406. Natural resource management | |
440703. Economic development policy | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences, Pakistan |
Centre for Applied Climate Sciences | |
University of Southern Queensland | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q516x/diverse-drivers-of-unsustainable-groundwater-extraction-behaviour-operate-in-an-unregulated-water-scarce-region
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