ABSTRACT

678Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is not a past paradigm. The fact that the concept has survived decades of scrutiny and is still being implemented globally can be considered a strong proof of its viability as a strategy. IWRM has the same elements as the contemporary concept of sustainable development, which also is an overall strategic approach, rather than a detailed, delivery-oriented technical set of guidance. IWRM could be seen as a subset of sustainable development adapted to the water resources management context. The attractiveness of IWRM lies perhaps in its intuitiveness and the fact that the basic concept is relatively simple, in which case there is no need to change the paradigm. Instead, careful attention should be paid so as not to overcomplicate the concept.

IWRM for water-scarce regions provides a comprehensive view of the complexity and interconnectedness of findings and conclusions regarding the principle strategic approach that contributes to improve the water management in basin level sustainability (1992 Dublin Principles). The chapter attempts to present the IWRM concept in arid and semiarid regions of the world, like Iran, which deal with climate change, population increase, and mismanagement.