Incentive policies for the protection of water resources; look at the world experiences

Groundwater conversation cannot be achieved only by regulaton or command and control approach. In many cases institutional reforms and economic incentives approaches may be more cost-effective approach to encoarage water users in saving water use. Participation of water users in groundwater management programs is an essential aspect of sustainable groundwater use in water scarce regions. Howevere, my experience in about 45 years in Iran indicates that lack of an appropriate policy to provide incentives for water users participation in groundwater management an conservation is among the main causes of groundwater depletion in Iran. Some relevant examples of successful institutional reforms in California and Jordan river Valley are mentioned in supporting this approach.