Developing sustainable legal framework for the establishment of integrated water resources management in Iran

In this study, the advantages and limitations of implementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach given the rules and regulations in Iran are analyzed. As IWRM does not exist at the level of basin in Iran, eventually the legal framework of establishment of IWRM is suggested considering the structural complexities of the water management systems at a national level. Accordingly, establishment of such an approach is generally missing in Iran so that sustainable solutions are obtained for all round development of the country in the area of water. The values of water basin sustainability Index are low while water deficiency index is high in basins. In addition, the environmental degradation of water and soil in basins has resulted in migration of rural people to urban regions. All these factors have contributed to development of a great complexity in the IWRM in Iran. In this study, considering the principles of IWRM establishment across the water basin, proposals and solutions for modifying the rights and rules of the water in basins have been presented. The results indicated that the best solution for solving the problems associated with IWRM is ever increasing interaction between the beneficiaries and the available tools for achieving a sustainable strategy for the IWRM in Iran.
Management; Water Resources; Law; Legal Framework