Search

China’s rapid economic growth has resulted in extensive damage to water resources in rural areas. The Amity Foundation’s studies of six villages in two of China’s poorest provinces, Guizhou and Guangxi, indicate that clean-water projects led to a marked decrease in the incidence of diarrhoea, especially in downstream villages. Such initiatives have strengthened the existing technical and institutional infrastructure in the villages. The paper calls for sustaining such interventions through adequate legislation and policies that improve infrastructure, integrate various departments, regulate diverse water uses and facilitate the involvement of civil society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has made substantial progress in transforming water governance to respond to water crises and to support rapid socio-economic development. We aim to critically and comprehensively analyze important innovations in managerial approaches, as well as new developments and associated challenges in water policies, by bringing together cutting-edge research and best practices on water resources management in contemporary China. The key lessons drawn from the transformation include improving relationships among government, market and civil society in terms of water governance, as well as introducing innovative solutions to water challenges according to the specific contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]