Understanding Water Conflict

This book gives the insights on local water conflicts among different water users (water tanker companies, bottled water companies, brick industries and farmers) of Godavari watershed which is a peri-urban area of Kathmandu valley. Use of water is contested because of the growing pressures on water use. This book further explores the current water sharing (allocation) rules, regulations, practices and strategies of farmers and companies, to secure and defend their water rights in the Godavari watershed area of Kathmandu valley. Growing population and expansion of economic activities escalate pressures on water resources in the valley in an overall context of plural water rights and unstable political conditions. The main objective of this book is to find out the issues and natures of water conflict among farmers as well as between farmers and companies. This book further analyzes and discusses the conflicting views on the bundles of water rights, power relationships among water users and how these lead to the conflict. Due to its multidisciplinary nature, this book is useful for scholars, students, practitioners and policy makers working in natural resources management.