Theme 4-1-Essential characteristics and integrated management strategies of water resources in the arid and semiarid northwest of China

Abstract

Water scarcity and related issues have become the most severe restrictions to sustainable development of the world. These problems are particularly crucial to some developing countries or regions in arid and semiarid areas. China, the largest developing country in the world, has been and is facing severe water scarcity and related issues in its northwest. Seeking feasible solutions to water scarcity and related issues has become one of the most important tasks in the large-scale west exploitation of China. This paper presents essential characteristics of water resources and strategies to water scarcity and related issues in the arid and semiarid northwest of China. The essential characteristics are natural shortage and extremely uneven spatial and temporal distributions of the water resources. The strategic solutions to the water problems in this region should be (1) rational economic structures and optimal industrial distributions copying with the water resources characteristics; (2) integrated development and effective utilization of local water resources; (3) large-scale south-to-north water transfer as a long-term goal for sustainable development of the region; (4) development and popularization of eco-water-saving technology; (5) equal allocation and cooperative development water resources in international cross-boundary rivers; (6) protection of culture, custom and religion of minority nationalities; (7) effective protection of water resources and water environments; and (8) a highly authoritative and qualified water resources management system. These strategies may also be suitable to the regions or countries with similar issues.