Water management under climate change: The role of water commons and policy options. (20th April 2021) - Zulfiqar, Farhad
Abstract: This research assessed the robustness of a new water governance system in Pakistan through Ostrom's design principles, examined the potential of water commons against climate‐induced water scarcity, the role compliance of Khal Panchayat (KP, watercourse level user association) and problems in their implementation. Data collection included personal interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with 125 farmers in five KPs from Punjab. Findings revealed that the presence of the eight design principles varied from 3.32 to 5.80 principles per KP. However, only one KP had a robust potential against water scarcity. The FGDs identified that conflicts were likely to increase due to water scarcity. Moreover, conflict resolution and collection of water charges were the least followed roles due to lack of legal protection. However, KPs fulfilled the roles related to watercourse maintenance, conducting internal meetings and elections. Thus, more climate‐resilient water co‐management under commons requires legal protection, and authority to redraw demand‐based water allocation.